Gov Palin's Bio

 	Biography

The Palin Family in Juneau (2007)
Click to View High-Res Photo

Governor Palin's Official Portrait

About the Governor

Governor Sarah Palin made history on Dec. 4, 2006, when she took office. 
As the 11th governor of Alaska, she is the first woman to hold the office.

Since taking office, her top priorities have been resource development, 
education and workforce development, public health and safety, and 
transportation and infrastructure development.

Under her leadership, Alaska invested $5 billion in state savings, 
overhauled education funding, and implemented the Senior Benefits Program 
that provides support for low-income older Alaskans. She created Alaskas 
Petroleum Systems Integrity Office to provide oversight and maintenance of 
oil and gas equipment, facilities and infrastructure, and the Climate 
Change Subcabinet to prepare a climate change strategy for Alaska.

During her first legislative session, Governor Palins administration 
passed two major pieces of legislation  an overhaul of the states ethics 
laws and a competitive process to construct a gas pipeline.

Governor Palin is chair of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, 
a multi-state government agency that promotes the conservation and 
efficient recovery of domestic oil and natural gas resources while 
protecting health, safety and the environment. She was recently named 
chair of the National Governors Association (NGA) Natural Resources 
Committee, which is charged with pursuing legislation to ensure state 
needs are considered as federal policy is formulated in the areas of 
agriculture, energy, environmental protection and natural resource 
management. Prior to being named to this position, she served as co-chair 
of this committee.

Prior to her election as governor, Palin served two terms on the Wasilla 
City Council and two terms as the mayor/manager of Wasilla. During her 
tenure, she reduced property tax levels while increasing services and made 
Wasilla a business friendly environment, drawing in new industry.


She has served as chair of the Alaska Conservation Commission, which 
regulates Alaska's most valuable non-renewable resources: oil and gas. She 
was elected by her peers to serve as president of the Alaska Conference of 
Mayors. In this role, she worked with local, state and federal officials 
to promote solutions to the needs of Alaska's communities.


 	Sarah Heath Palin arrived in Alaska with her family in 1964, when 
her parents came to teach school in Skagway. She received a bachelor of 
science degree in communications-journalism from the University of Idaho 
in 1987. Palin, who graduated from Wasilla High School in 1982, has lived 
in Skagway, Eagle River and Wasilla.

She is married to Todd Palin, who is a lifelong Alaskan, a production 
operator on the North Slope and a four-time champion of the Iron Dog, the 
world's longest snowmachine race.

Todd and Sarah fish in Bristol Bay with their children  Track, Bristol, 
Willow, Piper and Trig. Through Todds Yup'ik grandmother, Alaskas Native 
heritage plays an important role in their family. Track enlisted in the 
U.S. Army on Sept. 11, 2007.

Prior to taking office, Palin served on numerous boards and commissions 
throughout the state. She was active in her familys pursuits  including 
serving as a sports team mom and school volunteer. She also runs 
marathons.

Palin is a lifetime member of the NRA and enjoys hunting, fishing, Alaska 
history, and all that Alaska's great outdoors has to offer.



For pictures and other links see
http://gov.state.ak.us/bio.html