Slayden Plumbing & Heating InC.

Founded in 1979

Our Story

Slayden Plumbing & Heating, Inc. (SPHI) was founded in 1979 by William (Bill) Slayden. The company was Incorporated in the State of Alaska on October 14, 1983. Slayden has grown from a small private plumbing company to one of the largest mechanical contractors in the State of Alaska. Through the years Slayden has grown to provide our customers with the tools they need to complete their projects. With offices in North Pole and Wasilla, a full-time engineering staff, state of the art sheet metal fabrication shop, and a mechanical insulation division, Slayden has everything under one roof.

We have a proven track record of successfully constructing a variety of public and private projects from single family homes to highly technical government facilities. Slayden focuses on safety and instills that mindset in the new tradesmen as they progress through the apprenticeship program. Slayden was a founding member of the ABC of Alaska apprenticeship program and continues to encourage growth in the trades through this program.

Founder, Alaskan Entrepreneur
William (Bill) Slayden

Leadership

Jeremiah Raby

Jeremiah Raby

President

Jeremiah joined the Slayden team in 2004 as an apprentice plumber and has since then served in multiple positions, including Journeyman, Foreman, Superintendent, Operations Manager, and Vice President. Currently, as the Corporate President he strives to serve both Slayden’s customers and employees with integrity and professionalism. He and his family enjoy outdoors activities all around the state and being active in their local church.

Jason Chalstrom

Jason Chalstrom

Vice President / Lead Estimator

Jason Chalstrom has been with Slayden Plumbing and Heating since 1995, beginning his career as a plumbing apprentice and earning his State of Alaska Journeyman Plumber certification in 1998. He quickly advanced to the role of Superintendent, where he led major utility and mechanical projects at Ft. Wainwright, Eielson AFB, and Ft. Greely, as well as a range of commercial projects across Alaska. With decades of field experience and a deep understanding of project execution, Jason now serves as Lead Estimator, overseeing all project estimating efforts statewide. His 28 years with Slayden have equipped him with the technical expertise and project insight critical to accurate, competitive, and strategic proposal development.

Jen Engle

Jen Engle

Treasurer / Corporate Secretary

Jennifer (Jen) joined Slayden Plumbing and Heating in 1997, bringing with her over 25 years of experience in construction accounting. She has served as the company’s Treasurer since 2000 and as Corporate Secretary since 2013. In her current role, Jen oversees all financial operations, including cash management, monthly financial reporting, and the supervision of the accounting department. Her leadership and attention to detail play a critical role in the company’s financial stability and success. Outside of work, Jen enjoys spending quality time with her husband, children, and grandchildren.

Seth Guntharp

Seth Guntharp

Systems Administrator / Security Officer

Seth has long held a deep appreciation for Alaska and officially made it his home in 2021. He brings a strong background in technology, holding dual degrees in Network Administration and Computer Science. Seth began his career in the Lower 48, where he managed over 9,000 network-enabled devices across six campuses in a K–12 school district. Today, he oversees all technology infrastructure and compliance operations for Slayden Plumbing and Heating throughout the state of Alaska. Seth is grateful to be living his Alaskan dream—combining his passion for the outdoors with a rewarding career in technology. At Slayden, he enjoys the opportunity to work with a wide range of cutting-edge tools, systems, and equipment that support the company’s mission.

Joanna Smith

Joanna Smith

Accounting Manager

Joanna joined Slayden Plumbing and Heating in 2009 as a key member of the Operations team. In her early role, she was responsible for managing the plumbing and sheet metal apprenticeship programs, calculating weekly labor budgets, tracking change orders, and supporting project management activities following bid awards. Her attention to detail and strong organizational skills led her to her current position as Accounting Manager, where she oversees critical financial functions including weekly payroll, certified payroll compliance, and accounts payable. Joanna’s dedication and experience continue to contribute significantly to the company’s operational and financial efficiency.

Alex Reeve

Alex Reeve

Senior Engineer

Alex serves as Senior Engineer and Vice President of Engineering at Slayden Plumbing and Heating. A lifelong Alaskan, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1989. With over three decades of industry experience, Alex has provided engineering leadership on a broad range of projects, including residential developments, dormitories, assisted living facilities, hotels, retail centers, restaurants, laundries, aircraft hangars, heavy equipment maintenance facilities, power plants, clinics, schools, water treatment systems, and fuel storage installations.

Alex holds a State of Alaska Professional Engineering License, an Alaska Mechanical Administrator License, and a City of Fairbanks Master Plumber/Mechanical Contractor License. His technical expertise, local knowledge, and licensure make him an invaluable asset in ensuring code-compliant, high-performance mechanical systems across Alaska’s challenging environments.

Gene Bennett

Gene Bennett

Northern Office Operations Manager

Gene is a lifelong Alaskan based in North Pole, with over 30 years of experience in the plumbing industry. He began his career in 1990 and has since progressed to his current role as Operations Manager at Slayden Plumbing and Heating, where he provides critical support to field superintendents and helps ensure smooth project execution. Gene’s hands-on expertise ranges from working with ½” copper piping in urban settings to managing 48” pipe installations in remote locations such as Prudhoe Bay. His project portfolio spans small-scale service work to large multimillion-dollar contracts across Alaska.

Gene is committed to continual learning and professional growth, always seeking to stay at the forefront of his trade. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, especially his youngest daughter, and finds relaxation in mechanical work—fixing cars and trucks as a hobby. He values simplicity, efficiency, and the opportunity to take on new challenges.

Justin Bowler

Justin Bowler

HVAC Operations Manager/Estimator

Justin joined Slayden Plumbing and Heating in 2010 after gaining initial experience in the commercial and residential construction industry. He began as an apprentice and steadily advanced through key leadership roles including Superintendent, Fabrication Manager, HVAC Operations Manager, and now serves as an Estimator. His broad field experience and operational insight make him a valuable contributor to project planning and execution.

Justin takes pride in tackling complex challenges and is committed to supporting Alaska’s plumbing and heating needs. Outside of work, he and his family enjoy hunting, fishing, camping, and spending time on the water.

Brett Dolechek

Brett Dolechek

Sheet Metal Fabrication Shop Manager

Brett began his career with Slayden Plumbing and Heating in 2015 as a first-year sheet metal apprentice. Over the years, he has worked on a wide range of projects across Alaska, from small tenant improvements to large-scale government jobs. After four years in the field and two and a half years as a foreman, Brett now serves as Fabrication Shop Manager in Wasilla. In this role, he supports production and mentors others on the fabrication process. Outside of work, Brett enjoys hunting, the outdoors, and spending time with his growing family. He is proud to be part of Slayden’s mission to deliver quality workmanship with a dedicated team.

Terra Bowen

Terra Bowen

Project Engineer / Administrator

Terra has been with Slayden Plumbing & Heating (SPHI) since 2008 with previous experience in the Construction trade since 2003.  Her role with the company has been as a Project Engineer/Administrator for Slayden.

Terra, a transplant pacific islander.  She grew up in Hawaii but has found her home in Alaska, and SPHI is a big reason for that.  Her hobbies include playing hockey, curling, crossword puzzles and escape rooms. 

Deanna Vargason

Deanna Vargason

Human Resources / Project Admin

Dee serves as Human Resources Manager at Slayden Plumbing and Heating, where she also oversees company-wide safety operations and provides part-time project administration support across all projects. Coming from a long line of plumbers, Dee has continued the family tradition in her own way—by contributing from the office. Known for her upbeat personality, she proudly describes herself as a kid at heart, with interests that include video games, Lego building, Disney, and Harry Potter.

Rick Larrison

Rick Larrison

Lead Purchaser

Rick has been a valued member of Slayden Plumbing and Heating for many years. With a career in Alaska’s construction industry dating back to 1981, he brings over 40 years of diverse experience as a manufacturer’s representative, plumbing wholesaler, mechanical contractor, and project manager. His extensive knowledge and leadership have been instrumental in the successful delivery of numerous projects across the state. Outside of work, Rick is an avid golfer and fisherman. He also enjoys traveling and spending quality time with his wife, their seven children, and many grandchildren.

David Miller

David Miller

Northern Office Operations Manager

David has been with Slayden Plumbing and Heating for nearly 7 years, bringing over 20 years of experience in interpreting construction plans and specifications. His expertise in inspecting materials and workmanship ensures quality, safety, and compliance with contractual standards. David is responsible for reviewing contractor-submitted documents for accuracy and provides valuable input to project engineers based on site observations. His focus on quality assurance and successful project completion makes him a key asset to the SPHI team.

North Pole Office

Phone

Office: (907) 488-3359
Email: slayden@sphiak.com

Address

1998 Richardson Highway
North Pole, AK 99705

Wasilla Office

Phone

Office: (907) 376-7690
Email: slayden@sphiak.com

Address

3230 E. Palmer/Wasilla Highway
Wasilla, AK 99654