About Alaska Testlab
Formed as a testing laboratory in the late 1950s, Alaska Testlab was purchased in 1973 by Dickenson and Oswald, the founders of DOWL, LLC, an Anchorage-based consulting and engineering firm. The two companies merged as one until 2018, when Maria Kampsen, the construction inspection and testing manager since 2009 and a partner in DOWL, purchased the Alaska Testlab division from DOWL. Alaska Testlab, LLC was then relaunched as a veteran and female-owned small business.
Over the years, their mission has remained unchanged: provide quality construction materials testing and inspection services in support of safe construction projects. Working with owners, contractors, and developers; and federal, state and municipal government clients, Alaska Testlab, LLC and its 27 employees travel across Alaska to assist with projects of all types and sizes.
AGC Services Provided
Alaska Growth Capital provided two SBA loans to Alaska Testlab, LLC for startup costs and working capital to increase the company’s ability to do work in remote locations.
“I wanted to be able to provide a quality service statewide, but it was just as important to provide a solid career path for employees. I felt Alaska Testlab could be the answer by offering flexibility and varied opportunities that only a small business [could] provide. I presented my plan to Alaska Growth Capital and they agreed. They worked with me to ensure this could become a reality, provided the capital, answered endless questions, and made the SBA [loan] process simple and straightforward. Thanks to Alaska Growth Capital, Alaska Testlab worked on projects in over 30 different communities across Alaska in our first construction season.”