About BILL

Background & Early Life

Born in Fairbanks and raised in Delta Junction and Valdez, Bill Walker is a lifelong Alaskan whose family helped shape the state during the years leading to Alaska statehood. His father, Ed Walker, served in the Alaska Scouts in the Aleutians during World War II and later owned a construction company and hotel. His mother, Frances Park Walker, came north during the war with the Corps of Engineers working on the construction of the Alcan Highway and later worked as Women’s Page editor for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

In 1964, the Walker family lost everything in the devastating  Alaska Earthquake. As a young boy, Bill went to work alongside his parents and siblings to help save the family construction business during the rebuilding of Valdez. At age 12, he successfully bid on the local post office janitorial contract and worked before and after school while also helping relocate homes to the new post-earthquake townsite.

Walker graduated from Valdez High School in 1969, where he served as Student Body President and played on Valdez Buccaneers  basketball team.

Education

  • Valdez High School, Valdez, Alaska

  • B.S. in Business Administration, Lewis & Clark College

  • J.D., Seattle University School of Law (formerly University of Puget Sound School of Law)

  • Admitted to practice before the Alaska Bar Association, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court 

Professional Experience

Walker worked his way through college on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline as a member of the Laborers’, Carpenters’, and Teamsters’ unions. Over the years, he worked as a commercial fisherman, journeyman carpenter, construction company owner, attorney, and business owner.

His legal career focused primarily on municipal, oil and gas, and resource development law. He served as chairman of the municipal law department at one of Alaska’s largest law firms before founding his own practice, where he represented municipalities, public entities, and energy organizations across Alaska.

Walker has also owned and operated a variety of Alaska businesses, including construction, commercial property, hospitality, travel, and charter boat operations.

Public Service & Leadership

  • Governor of Alaska (2014–2018), serving as the nation’s only independent governor during his term

  • Mayor of Valdez

  • Valdez City Councilman

  • President and charter member of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council following the Exxon Valdez oil spill

  • President, Alaska Municipal Attorneys Association

  • Appointed by President Trump to the Governor’s Council and national bipartisan leadership initiatives

  • Resident Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics, leading discussions on “Bridging the Political Divide”

Accomplishments as Governor

During his administration, Walker worked with both the Obama and Trump administrations on issues impacting Alaska and the nation. He accompanied President Obama aboard Air Force One during the President’s Alaska visit and later travelled with President Trump from Washington D C to Hawaii for meetings and participated in President Trump’s trade mission to China, where Alaska signed a major gasline development agreement in Beijing.

Key initiatives and accomplishments included:

  • Expanding Medicaid coverage to more than 40,000 Alaskans

  • Reducing Alaska’s dependence on oil revenues and presenting a balanced budget

  • Establishing the Governor’s Tribal Advisory Council

  • Supporting implementation of the Indian Child Welfare Act

  • Leading bipartisan national healthcare discussions with governors from both parties

  • Creating Alaska’s Climate Action Leadership Team

  • Leading statewide opioid response efforts and securing significant federal support

  • Advocating for responsible resource development and Alaska energy projects for more than five decades 

Walker was invited by President Trump to serve on the Council of Governors and was one of only four governors invited to participate in a White House energy summit.

Awards & Recognition

  • Governor Bill Egan Award for Excellence in Public Policy Leadership, Commonwealth North

  • Friends of Ted Stevens Award, First Alaskans Institute

  • Adopted into the Tlingit Kaagwaantaan Clan and given the name “Gooch Waak”

Community & Personal Life 

Walker has been active in church, youth athletics, community leadership, and volunteer service throughout his life, including medical mission work in Guyana prisons through Christian outreach organizations.

Bill and Donna Walker have been married for nearly 50 years and have four children and seven grandchildren. Their children attended and graduated from Alaska public schools before pursuing advanced degrees.

His interests include construction projects, boating, skiing, biking, fishing, hiking, snow machining, basketball, and spending time with family at their Alaska cabin.

Integrity. Experience. Solutions.