Speakers
Sarah Palin
Speaking: February 8th, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Redding Convention Center
Sarah Palin first made history on December 4, 2006 when she was sworn in as the first female governor of Alaska. In August 2008, Senator John McCain tapped Palin to serve as his vice-presidential running mate in his presidential campaign, making her the first woman to run on the Republican Party's presidential ticket. In Alaska, her top priorities included fiscal restraint, limiting the size of government, resource development, education, equitable oil valuation as well as transportation and infrastructure development. Palin fought for ethics reform and transparency in government.
Palin has a long record of achievement and experience in public office. Prior to her election as Governor, Palin served two terms on the Wasilla City Council and two terms as the mayor of Wasilla. During her tenure, she reduced property tax levels while increasing services and made Wasilla a business-friendly environment, drawing in new industry. Under her leadership as Governor, Alaska invested $5 billion in state savings, overhauled education funding and protected Alaska's natural resources. She created Alaska's Petroleum Systems Integrity Office to provide oversight and maintenance of oil and gas equipment, facilities and infrastructure and the Climate Change Subcabinet to prepare a climate change strategy for Alaska.
During Governor Palin's first year in office, three of her administration's major proposed pieces of legislation passed—an overhaul of the state's ethics laws, a competitive process to construct a natural gas pipeline and a restructuring of Alaska's oil valuation formula. Palin is past chair of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, a multistate government agency that promotes the conservation and efficient recovery of domestic oil and natural gas resources while protecting health, safety and the environment. She also served as chair of the National Governors Association (NGA) Natural Resources Committee, which was charged with pursuing legislation to ensure state needs are considered as federal policy is formulated in the areas of agriculture, energy, environmental protection and natural resource management.
Sarah Heath Palin arrived in Alaska with her family in 1964, when her parents came to teach school in Skagway. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications-Journalism from the University of Idaho in 1987. She is married to Todd Palin, who is a lifelong Alaskan, worked as a production operator on the North Slope and is a four-time champion of the Iron Dog, the world's longest snowmachine race. They have five children. She is the author of Going Rogue: An American Life (November 2009), a powerful, no-nonsense book about principles and reform, which was an immediate best seller.
Mike Pihl
Speaking: February 11th, 8am at the Holiday Inn
Even from an early age Mike liked getting up early in the morning. The habit has served him well over time, and lends itself well to his entrepreneurial spirit. Mike, and his fraternal twin brother, were raised with their four sisters in Banks, Oregon. As an ambitious youngster to earn money, Mike took to heart working the summer harvests. And when he got older , he bucked hay for the local farmers.
At 18 and just out of high school, Mike took the opportunity to log in Alaska. While in Alaska he lived in a floating camp on a barge in Sitka. Mike learned a lot about logging in the 3 years in Alaska. During his logging adventure in Alaska, he was able to put every paycheck into a bank account. Every dollar he saved was a dollar closer to his dream of one day starting his own business.
In the fall of 1982 at the age of 22, Mike decided to take the cash he'd made, and form his own company. His brother Matt joined him in establishing Pihl Brothers Logging. The companies first purchase was a Skagit SJ5 swing yarder. They ran a lean crew with Mike running the yarder and Matt in the brush. Eventually they were able to hire three other men on, at which time they were able to rent a Prentice 600D wheel loader. The company grew at a steady pace for the next four years.
In 1986, Matt left the company to pursue other business opportunities, thus dissolving the partnership. At this time Mike Pihl Logging, Inc. was formed. The company expansion has continued over the years. In recent years Mike has invested in land parcels for both logging and development. Always looking to the future and the next opportunity for growth.
Mike Pihl Logging now employs over 40 people. Most are Vernonia area residents. Realizing the importance of family, having seven children himself, Mike is an above average employer providing benefits for his employees. His daughter, Lindsay is the company office manager and her husband, Kelly Baska is a supervisor in the logging division.