Binkley further strengthens First National Bank Alaska’s experienced Board of Directors

First National Bank Alaska announced John Binkley as the newest member of the bank’s Board of Directors. Binkley joins Board Chair and CEO/President Betsy Lawer, Vice Chair Lucy Mahan, Adm. Tom Barrett, Perry Eaton, Margy Johnson, Jane Klopfer, Doug Longacre, Pat Pitney, Tara Sweeney, Tom Tougas and Janet Weiss on the board.

“Binkley has decades of experience running successful local businesses in Fairbanks and other Alaska communities, which by necessity includes navigating the ups and downs of Alaska’s unique economy,” said Lawer. “His business knowledge combined with his background in public service gives him an incredibly valuable perspective for our board as we continue to make decisions to support our neighbors for years to come.”

Born and raised in Fairbanks, Binkley moved to Bethel in 1977, where he founded a shipping business and became involved in public service, first on the Bethel City Council in the early 80s and then representing the region in the Alaska House of Representatives. He subsequently served in the Alaska State Senate and was Chairman of the Alaska Railroad Corporation from 1997 to 2011, a board he still serves on today. Binkley was also president of the Alaska Cruise Association from 2007 to 2019.

During his tenure in the state senate, Binkley was named to the Senate Finance Committee, Conference Committee, and the Special Senate Committee on High Seas Salmon Interception, among others. He earned an associate degree in airframe and power-plant maintenance technology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 2005.

“I’m proud to be a lifelong Alaskan. A strong community is one of the keys to success in the 49^th state,” Binkley said. “Since 1922, First National has steadily provided financial support to Alaskans, and I look forward to partnering with them as they begin their next century of investing in this great state.”

Alaska’s community bank since 1922, First National proudly meets the financial needs of Alaskans with 28 locations in 19 communities throughout the state and by providing banking services to meet their needs across the nation and around the world.

In 2022, Alaska Business readers voted the bank the “Best of Alaska Business” in the Best Place to Work category for the seventh year in a row and Best Bank/Credit Union for a second time. The same year, American Banker recognized First National as a “Best Bank to Work For” for the fifth year in a row. In 2021, Anchorage Daily News readers voted the bank one of the state’s top three financial institutions for the third year in a row in the ADN “Best of Alaska” Awards.