09.08.05
A lifelong Fairbanksan, Jay was born in St. Joseph’s Hospital (what is now the Denali State Bank building) in 1964. He was schooled at Denali, Ryan and Lathrop and attended Willamette University, UAF, and Syracuse University where he earned his Bachelor’s of Arts in American History in 1984. Jay moved to Hamilton Acres in 1989.
After finishing college, Jay returned to Fairbanks with the entrepreneurial bug. He started Jaybird’s Wingworld in 1986 and five years later bought the struggling Food Factory restaurants, revitalizing them into the family restaurants they are today. In 1999 he bought Pike’s Landing, constructed Pike’s Waterfront Lodge next door the following year. Jay’s most recent addition to the Pike’s property is the Aviator Greenhouse & Sweets, a family-style ice cream parlor and greenhouse. Presently he is creating and developing the Pike’s River Walk.
Jay has used his business success to give back to the community–charitably giving over $1,000,000 in products and services since 1986. He created an endowment for the UAF music program and is the sponsor of the Food Factory & Friends UAF Jazz Festival which brings more than 400 statewide high school jazz and choir students to Fairbanks each April and generates UAF scholarships. He has also helped to grow the Mush for Kids program held at Pike’s Landing each spring. The last several years over 5,000 families and children have participated. Jay has also helped to raise over 500,000 pounds of food for the Fairbanks Community Food Bank.
As a businessman and good corporate citizen, Jay has fostered work relationships with groups as diverse as Alyeska, FAHA, the Letter Carriers Association and the Fairbanks Gardening Club. Jay is a bridge-builder and leaves behind a trail of good works and deeds done.
09.08.05