Date/Place of Birth:
August 4, 1938
Mankato, Minnesota

Residency in Alaska:
Ketchikan: 1961 - 1962
Anchorage: 1968 - present

Occupation:
Retired University of Alaska, Anchorage Professor
Retired Commercial Pilot

Family:
Adult Children - Joylene, Kurt

Education:
Mankato High School, Minnesota:
Graduated 1956
Central Washington University: 1962 - 1966
- B.S. Speech Pathology
Central Washington University: 1967 - 1970
- M.S. Speech and Hearing Pathology
Anchorage Community College: 1984
- UAA Professional Piloting

Military Service: 3 years service
U.S. Army, Specialist 4th Class

Alaska State Senate: 2003 - present
Chair, Labor & Commerce Committee: 2003 - present
Vice-Chair, Finance Committe: 2003 - present
Legislative Budget & Audit Joint Committee: 2003 - 2004
Finance Subcommittees
- Chair, Administration: 2003 - 2004
- Chair, Labor & Workforce Development: 2003 - present
- Chair, Law: 2003 - 2004
- Chair, Natural Resources: 2003 - present
- Fish & Game: 2005 - present
- University of Alaska: 2003 - 2004

Alaska State House of Representatives: 1993 - 2002
Chair, Special Committee on Education:
2001 - 2002
Chair, Health, Education & Social Services
Committee: 1997 - 1998
Co-Chair, Long Term Care Task Force: 1997 - 1998
Co-Chair, Health, Education & Social Services
Committee: 1993 - 1996
Vice-Chair, Finance Committee: 1999 - 2002
Vice-Chair, Judiciary Committee: 1997 - 1998
Vice-Chair, Rules Committee: 1995 - 1996
Legislative Budget & Audit Committee: 1995 - 2000
Select Committee on Legislative Ethics: 1997 - 1998
Special Committee on Oil & Gas: 1997 - 1998
Judiciary Committee: 1995 - 1996
Community & Regional Affairs Committee:
1993 - 1994
Resources Committee: 1993 - 1994
Finance Subcommittees:
- Chair, Fish & Game: 1999 - 2002
- Chair, Public Safety: 2001 - 2002
- Chair, Revenue: 1999 - 2000
- Natural Resources: 1999 - 2000
- Education: 1993-94, 1997-98
- Court System: 1995 - 1996
- Fish & Game: 1993 - 1998
- University of Alaska: 1993 - 1998

Other Political and Government Positions:
Alaska Board of Fish and Game South-central
Citizens Advisory Committee

Business and Professional Positions:
Professor, University of Alaska, Anchorage
- Speech Communication
Commercial Pilot for various companies: 1974 - 1997

Service Organizations and Community Involvement:
National Rifle Association
Aircraft Owners & Pilots’ Association
Alaska Outdoor Council
Alaskan Bow Hunters Association
Alaska Airmen’s Association
National Conference of State Legislatures - Executive Committee Member
Commissioner/Former Vice-Chair, Education
Commission of the States

Awards and Recognitions:
University of Alaska, Anchorage Outstanding Educator of the Year: 1991
Award of Recognition from Alaskans for Tobacco Free Kids
Award of Recognition from Alaska Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deafblind Council
Community Service Award from the Alaska Public Health Association

Special Interests:
Community Theater, Aviation, Hunting, Fishing, Dog Mushing, Master Instructor, Bow Hunter Education