Governor Mike Dunleavy arrived in Alaska in 1983 and pursued a career in education, earning a Master of Education degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He spent nearly two decades in northwest Arctic communities as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. After moving to Wasilla in 2004, Dunleavy served on the Mat-Su Borough School Board, including two years as Board President, and then as a state senator for five years.

First elected Governor in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, Dunleavy became the first Republican Governor in Alaska to win re-election since 1978. His administration has prioritized economic development, job creation, and supporting the Alaskan business community.