Meet Mark

Mark Begich, 46, is in his fifth year as mayor of Alaska's largest city, which under his administration is entering its 20th consecutive year of economic growth, has enjoyed a record building boom and is financially sound due to strong fiscal management.

Begich, the city's first mayor born in Anchorage, is the son of Alaska's third congressman, Nick Begich, whose airplane disappeared in the Gulf of Alaska during his 1972 re-election bid.

Under Mayor Begich, Anchorage's bond ratings have improved to among the top 5 percent in the country, some 9,200 new jobs have been created, the city enjoyed the second highest construction value in city history and property taxes dropped for the majority of Anchorage property owners between 2006-07.

Begich has worked to ensure that Anchorage's increasingly diverse population - where 95 languages are spoken among public school students - share in the city's prosperity. For three years during Begich's tenure, Anchorage has been named one of America's "100 Best Communities for Young People" by America's Promise.

At age 26, Begich was first elected to the Anchorage Assembly where he served nearly 10 years. He was three times elected by his colleagues as chairman, the city's second highest office. In 2003, he beat an incumbent mayor and two-term former mayor to become Anchorage's mayor. Three years later, Begich was re-elected by one of the largest margins in city history.

As mayor, Begich is especially focused on transforming Anchorage into a progressive, international city capitalizing on its Pacific Rim location. Twice during Begich's tenure - and for the first time in a generation - voters have passed every proposition on the city ballot, approving enormous investments in public facilities, public safety, parks and recreation and transportation.

A new $100 million civic and convention center, named in honor of the indigenous people of the region, opens this fall to accommodate larger, international conventions. A $100 million expansion of the Anchorage Museum is underway, in part to house Alaska Native artifacts currently stored at the Smithsonian.

After two decades of inactivity, hundreds of millions of dollars in public and private investment is underway across Anchorage as three-quarters of residents believe the city is headed in the right direction.

Upon taking office, Begich inherited a $33 million budget gap. Through rigorous fiscal management, Anchorage's bonds are now rated AA. Begich has worked aggressively to diversify the city's tax base and between 2006-07, the majority of Anchorage taxpayers paid less property taxes. An additional $13 million has been paid to the city treasury since launching a 2004 initiative to collect delinquent fines and fees.

After years of neglect, the Begich administration embarked on an aggressive effort to improve public safety. More than 65 new police officers have been added to the force, a multi-agency anti-gang initiative is producing results and a new cyber crimes unit is cracking down on internet predators. Begich has been endorsed by both police and fire unions.

Begich has been a steadfast supporter of our youth. Whether serving on boards for the Boys and Girls Club, Spirit of Youth Foundation, and Family Resource Center, or founding the highly successful Making a Difference Program for first time juvenile offenders, Begich has been there for the coming generation.

With one of the nation's largest concentrations of both active duty military and veterans, Begich has increased the city's support for military personnel. At his request, the U.S. Conference of Mayors established a new Community/Military Relations Task Force. Anchorage First Lady Deborah Bonito has raised thousands of dollars for military personnel and their dependents. He is a corporate member of the Association of the United States Army, a member of the Air Force Association and a life member of the National Rifle Association.

Begich has worked closely with Alaska Natives, which comprise Anchorage's largest minority population. Before becoming mayor, he helped generate an advisory vote in which 72 percent of Anchorage voters supported the traditional subsistence way of life for Alaska Natives. As mayor, he has ensured that the vital contributions of Alaska Natives to Alaska's culture and economy are recognized.

Begich has always been a forceful advocate of equitable funding for education. As chair of the statewide Alaska Student Loan Corporation, he applied sound business practices saving the corporation from bankruptcy and ensuring affordable student loans for Alaska's college and vocational-technical students for years to come. He has been honored as a Friend of Education by the Anchorage Education Association.

In 1997 and 2004, Alaska's municipal officials named Begich the top official statewide.

A lifelong Alaskan, Mark's parents journeyed to the territory of Alaska in 1957 as teachers. In 1962, after teaching and serving as superintendent of Military Schools on Fort Richardson, Mark's father Nick was elected to the State Senate and later the US House of Representatives. In 1972, while campaigning for reelection, Nick's plane disappeared in the Gulf of Alaska, Mark was 10 years old.

Mark and his wife of 17 years, Deborah Bonito, live with their young son Jacob in East Anchorage.