Lt. Governor Fran Ulmer started her career in Alaska politics and government almost as soon as she arrived in Alaska in 1973. She was soon hired by former Governor Jay Hammond as one of his key political advisors, serving first as his legislative liaison and then as the director of Policy Development. At the same time, she was an active volunteer in many local community organizations such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Salvation Army and the March of Dimes, and served as chair of the local Planning Commission.

In 1983, Fran was elected Mayor of Juneau and was subsequently elected the first chair of the U.S. Conference of Women Mayors. Following her tenure as Juneau's mayor, the Lieutenant Governor was elected to the first of four terms in the House of Representatives where she successfully sponsored dozens of bills on a wide variety of issues: victim rights, criminal penalties, recycling,criminal justice, health, education and children's well-being. In her final term, she served as Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

The Lt. Governors duties include supervision of the Division of Elections, signing and filing of regulations; production of the Administrative Journal, central registration and supervision of notaries, all matters related to use of the official state seal; and serving as chair of the Alaska Historical Commission.

She is chair of the Telecommunications Information Council which is responsible for establishing policies and standards for voice, video and data systems in state government. Lt. Governor Ulmer is also the Governor's representative and chair to the Alaska Public Utility Commission's Alaska 2001 Advisory Committee, which is exploring the new ways telephone, cable television companies and computerization are delivering information to Alaska consumers. Lt. Governor Ulmer has also been appointed by the Governor to serve on the Alaska Science and Technology Foundation Board. She headed the Administration's transition effort and sits on many internal advisory groups which helps the Governor make decisions for the state operating and capital budgets.

Fran Ulmer grew up in a small town in Wisconsin where she learned to love the outdoors. Fran Ulmer started studying voice at the age of 15 at the Milwaukee Conservatory of Music. Since then she has studied with various voice teachers--from Madison, Wisconsin and Seattle, Washington to Anchorage, Alaska.

A mezzo-soprano, Lieutenant Governor Ulmer was cast in many summer stock roles in college and is comfortable singing everything from opera to popular music. Among the many singing engagements over the years, these are the most memorable:

• --A USO tour to Greenland and Iceland
• --Singing the National Anthem at the Kingdome to open Alaska Day at a Seattle Mariner's game
• --Singing the part of Dorabella in Juneau Lyric Opera's production of Mozart's Cosi fan tutte
• --Singing the title role of Iolanthe in Gilbert "Sullivan's Iolanthe, again for Juneau Lyric Opera

Alaska's first woman Lieutenant Governor brings a close family circle to her new job. Fran is married to Juneau Attorney, Bill Council and is the mother of two teenagers, Amy and Louis.

Duties

• Signing and filing of Administrative Regulations
• Publishing the Administrative Journal
• Notary registration and administration
• Elections policies and oversight of the Division of Elections

Governor Knowles has appointed Lieutenant Governor Ulmer to the following committees:

• Telecommunications Information Council (chair)
• APUC Alaska 2001 Advisory Committee (chair)
• Alaska Human Resource Investment Council
• Science and Technology Foundation Board of Directors
• RurALCAP Board of Directors
• Alaska Historical Commission (chair)
• Executive Clemency Advisory Board
• Alaska Land Manager's Forum

• She was appointed to the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission by President Clinton in 1994. NPAFC is an international body of representatives from the U.S., Canada, the Russian Federation and Japan.
• Recently she was appointed to the Federal Communications Commission State and Local Advisory Board. This board consists of 14 local and state government leaders from across the United States who help shape policies for the implementation of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

You can e-mail Lt. Governor Ulmer at: Fran_Ulmer@Gov.state.ak.us You can also read some excerpts from a speech given to the "Women Moving to the Top" Conference April 8, 1997 - Grace Bretheren Church, Anchorage.

© Copyright 1997 Elizabeth Beckett and Sarah Teel
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