In the late sixties, Bill and Karen Dunlap taught school in Wrangell, Alaska. They loved the people, beautiful scenery and rugged lifestyle. Neither knew eventually the native salmon would change their lives.

A fellow teacher asked Bill to join him fishing one summer. It seemed like an interesting idea…. time was available and a new adventure was always welcome.

Soon Bill was "hooked." In 1973 he and Karen purchased their first vessel, the "Karen H."  Fishing prospered. They soon bought their second fishing boat, the "Restless."

In 1981, they smoked 200 pounds of salmon and gave them to family and friends, who wanted more. The next year they smoked 2,000 pounds. Karen sold all the salmon in four days! It was a natural… catch ‘em, smoke ‘em and sell ‘em.

The company was sold to Jack Praino in early 1997. Jack "discovered" Alaska Smokehouse in 1990 when he purchased his first smoked salmon at one of Alaska Smokehouse mall kiosks. Little did Jack know that his love for smoked salmon in those beautiful cedar boxes would turn into such an adventure several years later.

After meeting Karen in 1996 one thing led to another and Jack purchased the company in early 1997. Dedicated to continuing the fine tradition of quality smoked salmon, Jack is also bringing new products and packaging ideas to the company. In 2002 Alaska Smokehouse purchased The Famous Pacific Dessert Company and Sleepless in Seattle in Coffee, bringing the same dedication to quality to these historically strong gourmet product offerings.