By Adam Sylvain

Grit. Perseverance. An undying love for the outdoors—often tested in whiteout blizzards and sub-zero wind chill.

These are a few of the traits shared by elite mushers who compete in the Iditarod, the world-famous dogsled race held in Alaska each year. 

Given the unique blend of rigor and seasonal fortitude demanded of Tuck MBA students, it is fitting that the Iditarod’s newest chief operations officer is Tuck alum and born-and-raised Alaskan Corey Hester T’21, who first followed the race from his grade-school classroom. 

“Every morning during Iditarod season, our teacher would have us cut the race standings out of The Anchorage Daily News and pin them to a corkboard,” says Hester. “Then we’d write our names next to the musher we were rooting for and track their daily progress.” 

Dubbed “The Last Great Race,” the Iditarod remains one of Alaska’s most well-known institutions, deeply embedded in the state’s cultural heritage. The nearly 1,000-mile dogsled race was founded in 1973 with a twofold mission: saving the husky and sled dog culture threatened by the rise of snowmobiles and preserving the historic Iditarod Trail—an old freight and mail route from Seward to Nome that once brought gold out of Alaska’s interior. The race also commemorates the celebrated dogsled relay known as the “1925 Serum Run” which delivered lifesaving medicine to Nome residents stricken by diphtheria. Anyone familiar with an Alaskan husky named Balto knows that story well. 

Beginning with the ceremonial start to the race in downtown Anchorage, drawing tens of thousands of in-person spectators, the Iditarod continues to capture fans’ attention for the better part of two weeks each March. Since taking the reins as COO this past November, Hester is focused on expanding the Iditarod’s reach to audiences in the lower 48 states, other Arctic territories, and ultimately, to dog lovers everywhere. 

“For most people, particularly those outside of Alaska, the Iditarod is known as this intense winter race that kind of comes and goes,” says Hester. “With that tentpole event as our centerpiece, we’re building an ‘all-things-dogs’ ecosystem with programs and partnerships that complement our brand’s distinct story and mission.” 

This includes migrating a trove of documentary and race footage onto platforms like Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and Tubi. The streaming network Bark TV, available on most Smart TVs, will soon feature additional Iditarod content as part of its 24/7, dog-centric programming. Developing partnerships with Iditarod-owned subsidiaries like DockDogs, the world’s premier canine aquatic sport organization, which hosts more than 250 events across the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Australia each year, is another key part of this vision. 

Hester also sees opportunity to capture the attention of younger audiences by leaning into YouTube and other social media platforms. 

“With the raw, nature element, we can immerse people in some of the world’s most striking wilderness environments,” he says. “Beyond that, there are opportunities to introduce new audiences to this fascinating, niche sport of dog mushing and everything that entails. The stories we can share are limitless.” 

Shepherding the legacy of one of Alaska’s most iconic brands is a big responsibility, but one Hester is ready to embrace having spent the bulk of his career strengthening community and economic opportunity in his home state. After graduating from the University of Alaska Anchorage with a degree in journalism and public communications, he helped lead the Alaska Geotourism Charter, convening a coalition of business, government, and nonprofit leaders to reshape the state’s tourist economy around cultural preservation and environmental sustainability. He went on to lead events and member engagement for the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce and later served on the city’s Municipal Airports Aviation Advisory Commission before becoming chief executive of the Alaska Airmen’s Association—doubling the association’s revenue and membership during his tenure. 

Along the way, Hester also managed to earn an MBA from Tuck and a JD from Harvard Law School. Given his track record and leadership credentials, a corporate career was always an option, but thus far, he says the opportunity to drive sustainable growth within “scrappy, mission-driven” organizations closer to home has been too good to pass up. 

“The profound sense of place and community you experience in Alaska extends to local businesses as well,” says Hester. “They do a terrific job investing in local talent and if you’re willing to roll up your sleeves, you can jump in and make an immediate impact.” 

One operational skill Hester has always enjoyed, and thrived at, is managing the logistical complexity of large-scale events. 

“Whether I was co-chairing Admitted Students Weekend at Tuck, or hosting the largest free entry aviation trade show in the United States during my time at the Alaska Airmen’s Association—I’ve always enjoyed bringing people together around a shared passion,” he says. 

Reflecting on his time in Hanover, Hester says he never would have guessed how much he would call upon concepts learned in Operations Management with Professor Joe Hall. But it is the importance of building relationships, and nurturing them well, that has stayed with him the most. 

Among a surprising number of Tuck alumni in Alaska is Nina Kemppel D’92, T’05, a member of the Iditarod Board of Directors. Hester highlights board service as a great way to gain early exposure to how mission-driven organizations operate. 

“Depending on their needs and the skills you bring, there are often ways you can contribute right away,” he says. “Whether you are helping lead a fundraising campaign or developing a marketing strategy, it gives you an opportunity to test your leadership skills and get an executive-level view of an organization.” 

This story originally appeared in print in the Summer 2026 issue of Tuck Today magazine.