Date/Place of Birth:
October 16, 1938
Livingston, Texas
Residency in Alaska:
Anchorage: 1962 - 1966, 1968 - 1984
Wasilla: 1984 - present
Occupation:
Former Business Owner and Educator
Family:
Husband - Curtis, since 1961
Children - Shelton, Bradley, Kristie Leaf
Grandchildren - Kelsie, Connor, Caleb, Noah, Daniel, Torri, Meijan, and Jiabao
Education:
Brazosport High School; Freeport, Texas: 1952 - 1956
Sam Houston State University; Huntsville, Texas: 1956 - 1959
University of Alaska Anchorage: 1986 - 1988
- Slingerland Language Arts Certification
Alaska State Senate: 1995 - present
Co-Chair, Finance Committee: 2003 - present
Chair, Health, Education & Social Services
Committee: 1995 - 1996, 2001 - 2002
Chair, State Affairs Committee: 1997 - 1998
Vice-Chair, Health, Education & Social Services
Committee: 2003 - 2004
Vice-Chair, State Affairs Committee: 1999 - 2000
Vice-Chair, Resources Committee: 1997 - 1998
Vice-Chair, Judiciary Committee: 1995 - 1996
Administrative Regulation Review Joint Committee:
2001 - 2004
Legislative Budget & Audit Joint Committee:
2003 - present
Select Committee on Legislative Ethics:
2003 - 2004
State/Federal Research & Development Committee:
2001 - 2004
Health, Education & Social Services Committee:
1997 - 1998, 2003 - present
Finance Committee: 1999 - 2002
Resources Committee: 1999 - 2000
Legislative Council Joint Committee: 1997 - 1998
Transportation Committee: 1995 - 1998
Finance Subcommittees:
- Chair, Community & Economic Development:
1999 - 2000
- Chair, Corrections: 2003 - present
- Chair, Court System: 2003 - present
- Chair, Governor's Office: 2003 - 2004
- Chair, Health & Social Services: 2001 - present
- Chair, Labor: 1999 - 2000
- Chair, Legislature: 2003 - 2004
- Chair, Transportation and Public
Facilities: 2005 - present
- Vice-Chair, Public Safety: 2001 - 2002
- Administration: 1997 - 2000
- Court System: 1995 - 1996
- Education: 1995 - 1996
- Labor: 1997 - 1998
- Natural Resources: 1997 - 1998
- University of Alaska: 2001 - present
Matanuska Susitna Caucus: 1995 - 2000
Political and Government Positions:
Matanuska-Susitna Caucus: 1999 - 2000
Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute: 1997
Energy Council: 1997
Legislative Management: 1997
Reapportionment Task Force: 1997
Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special
Education: 1991 - 1994
Department of Education Special Education
Regulations Task Force: 1993 - 1994
Business and Professional Positions:
Former Owner, The Study (education/tutorial)
Adjunct Instructor, Mat-Su Community College:
1991 - 1993
Instructor's Assistant, UAA: 1991
Co-Owner, Anchorage Racquet Club: 1978 - 1988
Teacher, West High School: 1963 - 1964
Administrative Assistant, Pan American Petroleum
(AMOCO): 1962-63, 1964-65
Service Organizations and Community Involvement:
Active in Palmer First Baptist Church
Former PTA/PTO school volunteer
Former Member and President, Mt. McKinley
Lioness Club
Former Chair, Miners and Trappers Ball
Life Member - National Rifle Assocation
Wasilla Sunrise Rotary
Palmer Lion's Club
Special Interests:
Family, Reading, Bridge, Piano, Traveling, Tennis
