100 Years of Alaska's Legislature
"From Territorial Days to Today"


1913 to 2013

Juneau, Alaska

State & Territorial



Gary Wilken

Date/Place of Birth:January 24, 1946 Tacoma, Washington

Residency in Alaska:Fairbanks: 1951 - 1970, 1975 - present

Spouse:Wife - Susan

Children:Children - Matthew, Allison, Karen, Bob Grandchildren - Evan, Mason, Charlotte

Occupation:Small Business Owner - retired

Education:Lathrop High School: Oregon State University: - B.S. Business and Technology: 1964 - 1968 - M.B.A. in Business: 1970

Alaska State Senate:1997 - present Co-Chair, Armed Services Joint Committee: 2001 - present Co-Chair, Finance Committee: 2003 - present Chair, Long Term Care Task Force: 1999 - 2000 Co-Chair, Long Term Care Task Force: 1997 - 1998 Vice-Chair, Resources Committee: 2001 - 2002 Legislative Budget & Audit Joint Committee: 1999 - present Health, Education & Social Services Committee: 1997 - present Finance Committee: 1999 - present Transportation Committee: 1997 - 1998, 2001 - 2002 Joint Armed Services Committee: 1999 - present Military Bases Joint Committee: 1999 - 2000 State Affairs Committee: 1999 - 2000 Administration Regulation Review Committee: 1997 - 1998 Deferred Maintenance Review Committee: 1997 - 1998 Finance Subcommittees: - Chair, Community & Economic Development: 2003 - present - Chair, Transportation & Public Facilities: 2003 - present - Chair, Education & Early Development: 1999 - present - Chair, Court System: 1999 - 2002 - Chair, Law: 2001 - 2002 - Chair, Administration: 1999 - 2000 - Governor: 2003 - present - Legislature: 2003 - present - University of Alaska: 1997 - present - Military and Veterans Affairs: 2001 - 2002 - Capital Budget: 1999 - 2002 - Education: 1997 - 1998 - Natural Resources: 1997 - 1998 - Revenue: 1997 - 1998 Fairbanks/Interior Delegation: 1997 - present

Other Political and Government Positions:Fairbanks Public Utility Board: 1983 - 1995 US Air Force Civilian Advisory Board: 1994 - present

Business and Professional Positions:Owner, Wilken-Alaska (Fairbanks Distributors): 1976 - 2004 Owner, Great Alaskan Food Co.: 1983 - 2004 Chair, Community Activity Center Task Force: 1985 - 1989 Alaska Council on Economic Education: 1984 - 1996 MAPCO Alaska - Citizens Advisory Board: 1986 - 1996

Service Organizations and Community Involvement:Fairbanks Youth Sports Board: 1981 - present President, Fairbanks Youth Sports Foundation: 1988 - present Rotary of Fairbanks: 1977 - present; President: 1987 Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, 1983 - present - Chair: 1991 - 1992 Co-Chair, Military Affairs Committee: 1989 - 1995 Alaska Crippled Children Board: 1989 - 1995 Chair, Methodist Church Pastor Parish Relations Committee: 1994 - 1995 President, Lathrop High School Basketball Boosters: 1987-89, 1993-96 - Soviet Union Visit Team Leader: 1989

Awards & Recognitions:Fairbanks Daily News Miner Community Service Award: 1990 University of Alaska Fairbanks Business Leader of the Year: 1995 Rotarian of the Year: 1990 Oregon State University Sports Hall of Fame (Team): 1993 Jim Messer Support of the Military Award

Special Interests:Family, hunting, fishing, boating.