Senator Begich remains on the Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security,and Commerce committees as well as retaining chairmanship of the Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard. The Oceans Subcommittee has broad jurisdiction over important Alaska issues, including responsible development of the Arctic. Begich was also appointed as chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Intergovernmental Affairs where he will have unique authority to oversee disaster relief, response, recovery, and preparation. 

Senator Begich was elected to the Senate in 2008 after serving as mayor of Anchorage for nearly six years. Born and raised in Anchorage, Senator Begich's other priorities include reducing the national deficit, tax reform, and building a national energy policy that emphasizes Alaska's oil and gas resources, an Alaska natural gas pipeline and the state’s many renewable resources.

A lifetime member of the NRA, Senator Begich is a strong advocate for the 2nd Amendment and the rights of Alaskans and all Americans to keep and bear arms.

A businessman since age 14, Senator Begich is bringing his business acumen to the work in the Senate. His extensive experience in public office, along with service to dozens of non-profits and community groups, all add to his know-how and ability to get things done.

In 1988, at age 26, Mark was the youngest person ever elected to the Anchorage Assembly where he served for nearly 10 years. During that time, his colleagues three times elected him chairman, Anchorage's second highest political office, and he also served as chair of the budget committee. During his time as mayor, Anchorage went through the biggest building boom in a generation, attracting millions of dollars worth of public and private investment. Through Begich's leadership, Anchorage voters supported the building of the new Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center, a $100 million expansion of the Anchorage Museum of History and Art, and a multitude of other projects that strengthened the city's economy. In October 2008, both the Wall Street Journal and Business Week recognized Anchorage as a city well positioned to weather the international economic crisis and the city's bond ratings were upgraded due to improved fiscal stability.

Mark's parents, Pegge and the late Nick Begich, came to the territory of Alaska in 1957 as teachers. Following a career as a teacher and superintendent of military schools on Ft. Richardson, Nick was elected Alaska's third U.S. Congressman. While running for reelection, in 1972, Begich's airplane disappeared in the Gulf of Alaska when Mark was 10 years old.

From his parents, Mark learned the values of hard work, strength of family, and commitment to community which are the values he has applied to a successful business career and long record of public service.

Senator Begich is married to Deborah Bonito, a successful businesswoman. They have a young son, Jacob. The Begich family enjoys spending time together reading, traveling, and enjoying the many great things Alaska has to offer.

Congressman Upton’s top priorities are job creation and economic growth in southwest Michigan.

He strongly supports an “all of the above” energy strategy that puts a greater emphasis on domestic energy production, the advancement of breakthrough technologies, and the development of safe nuclear power. Upton has also been a leading opponent of overreaching federal regulations that stifle economic growth, harm jobs, and raise energy costs for Michigan families and businesses.

Congressman Upton values our constitutional system of government checks and balances. He is focused on ensuring the federal government remains limited, transparent, and accountable, as our Founding Fathers intended. As energy and commerce chairman, he has led the over-year-long investigation of Solyndra, the now-bankrupt solar company that was the recipient of a half-billion dollar Department of Energy loan guarantee.

Upton has also worked to increase the deployment of telecommunications services as well as ensure that free speech and private innovation remain the hallmarks of this industry by opposing needless regulation. He helped oversee the successful transition from analog to digital broadcasting – one of the top priorities of the 9-11 Commission. He has also worked to guarantee that our children are protected from online predators and indecent material.

Congressman Upton has pushed for a greater emphasis on biomedical research to improve the public health. As energy and commerce chairman, one of his top priorities is to repeal the President’s controversial healthcare law and replace it with commonsense, market-based reforms that benefit patients, doctors, and employers.

Congressman Upton was born on April 23, 1953 and holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Michigan. He and his wife Amey have two children.

Prior to joining API, Gerard served as president and CEO of the American Chemistry Council, and earlier held the same position at the National Mining Association. Gerard also spent close to a decade working in the U.S. Senate and House. He came to Washington in 1981, and worked for Rep. George Hansen. He also worked for Sen. James A. McClure, who chaired the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Sen. McClure retired in 1990, and Gerard joined him in founding McClure, Gerard & Neuenschwander, Inc., a Washington, D.C.-based government relations consulting firm. Gerard served as Chairman and Chief Executive officer and focused on issues such as international sports, telecommunications, energy and mining.

He serves as a board member and is a past chairman of the National Capital Area Council - Boy Scouts of America, is co-chair of The George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management's Council on American Politics, is chairman of the Board of Directors for the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, and is a member of the Conservation Fund's Corporate Council.

As the industry's national trade association, API has over 500 members. They range from the largest major oil company to the smallest of independents and represent all segments of the industry.

Gerard was born and grew up in Idaho. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a Juris Doctor from George Washington University. Gerard lives in Virginia with his wife, Claudette, and their eight children, including twin boys the family adopted from Guatemala.