100 Years of Alaska's Legislature
"From Territorial Days to Today"
1913 to 2013
Juneau, Alaska
State & Territorial
Bio Page for Donna Mears
RESIDENCY:LENGTH OF RESIDENCY IN ALASKA: 27 years
EDUCATION :American Embassy School - New Delhi, India Hillsborough High School – New Jersey Rutgers University - Bioenvironmental Engineering University of Michigan - Master of Urban Planning
POLITICAL AND GOVERNMENT POSITIONS :Representative - Alaska State Legislature Co-chair – Anchorage Delegation Co-chair – Food & Farm Caucus Executive Board – Northeast Community Council Chair – Anchorage Health and Human Services Commission Chair - On-Site Water and Wastewater Technical Review Board
BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS :Central Environmental, Inc. - A Bering Straits Native Corporation MOA Solid Waste Services, Garness Engineering Group, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Anchorage Health Department
SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS MEMBERSHIPS :Solid Waste Association of North America, Alaska Chapter – Vice President and Instructor Winterberry Parent Guild Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School - XC Run & XC Ski Booster Clubs
SPECIAL INTERESTS :Harvesting local foods from Alaska’s rivers and mountains, as well as my own backyard Cheering my kids at XC races Fiber arts
STATEMENT :It's been my privilege to serve as your representative these past two years. I'm fighting for a better Alaskan future. One where it's easier to build a family, make a living, and afford to live. That means restoring sufficient public education funding for all our kids, no matter what kind of school they attend—my own kids attended a mix of charter schools, homeschool, and our local high school. That means investing in our state government so it can facilitate economic development instead of standing in the way. In my career as an engineer, I've seen up close how underfunded state agencies hold up permits and licenses with outdated and inefficient processes, and I'm grateful to be in a position to help make things work better. That means keeping costs of living low. From putting my professional background to work in lowering energy costs, to co-chairing the Food Strategy Task Force that makes food more accessible and local foods more available, to working to restore the governor's vetoes that cut revenue sharing with Anchorage. My experience informs my values. An emphasis on health from working for health organizations; a focus on education from being an involved parent; and a dedication to East Anchorage from living, working, and raising my kids in the community. My values are reflected in my work. I am here to make Alaska better for my family and yours.