Christine Hopkins wins NSBA’s 2026 small business advocate award

Christine Hopkins, president and CEO of Anchorage-based ASCI Family of Companies, was named the 2026 Lewis Shattuck Small Business Advocate of the Year by the National Small Business Association. The award spotlights her work on women-owned and veteran-owned business policy, tax reform, procurement equity and mentoring entrepreneurs nationwide.

Why it matters: - The award puts Hopkins among the nation’s top small-business advocates and highlights Alaska leadership on issues affecting federal contractors, women-owned businesses and veterans. - The recognition also reflects growing attention to procurement equity and tax policy as small businesses look for more access to federal markets.

What happened: - The National Small Business Association named Christine Hopkins the 2026 Lewis Shattuck Small Business Advocate of the Year. - Hopkins is president, CEO and managing owner of the ASCI Family of Companies in Anchorage, Alaska. - NSBA announced the award during the opening luncheon of its annual Washington Presentation in Washington, D.C. - Hopkins was recognized for advocating for policies supporting women-owned and veteran-owned small businesses, tax reform and procurement equity on Capitol Hill, and mentoring entrepreneurs nationwide. - In 2025, Hopkins received the Rising Star Award in the same NSBA program.

The details: - The Lewis Shattuck award honors small-business leaders who show sustained commitment to policies and initiatives that strengthen the small-business community. - Hopkins joined NSBA’s Leadership Council in 2021 and has worked with advocates from across the country on issues before Congress and federal policymakers. - NSBA represents about 65,000 members in every state and industry and has advocated for entrepreneurs for nearly 90 years. - Hopkins said advocacy should extend beyond a company’s own interests and that small businesses face many of the same challenges nationwide. - Hopkins said bringing those concerns directly to policymakers matters for women-owned businesses, federal contractors, veterans and other small-business owners. - ASCI Federal Services was named the 2026 Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year for the State of Alaska by the U.S. Small Business Administration Alaska District Office. - That recognition cited the company’s business accomplishments, leadership, resilience and contributions to Alaska’s economy and small-business community. - Hopkins also received the 2025 SBA Alaska Small Business Person of the Year and the 2025 Vistage Leadership Award for the Alaska region. - Advanced Supply Chain International LLC and ASCI Federal Services LLC are part of the ASCI Family of Companies, which has been based in Anchorage since 1999. - ASCI provides supply chain and asset management consulting and services to commercial and government customers. - ASCI’s services include procurement, contracting, warehousing, inventory management, transportation coordination and surplus material disposition. - More information is available on the company’s website.

Between the lines: - The award underscores how federal advocacy and business leadership can reinforce each other for companies working in government contracting. - Hopkins’ mix of policy work and industry recognition suggests NSBA values both public advocacy and measurable business performance. - The emphasis on women-owned and veteran-owned businesses points to broader efforts to widen access in federal procurement.

What's next: - Hopkins is likely to continue using her NSBA platform to push small-business policy priorities in Washington. - ASCI’s recent awards position the company for continued visibility in Alaska’s small-business and federal contracting ecosystem. - NSBA will continue recognizing advocates who shape policy for small businesses nationwide.