Fairbanks businessman John Binkley, whose Binkley Company bought the Anchorage Daily News in 2017, has been appointed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy to the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation Board of Trustees.
Binkley is a lifelong Alaskan who served as a state senator, representative, and as a city councilman in Bethel. He also chaired the Alaska Railroad Corporation. A Republican, he ran for governor in 2006 but lost to Sarah Palin in the primary, although he came in quite ahead of incumbent Gov. Frank Murkowski.
“I’m honored to serve as a trustee of the Permanent Fund and appreciate the appointment from Governor Dunleavy. The Governor’s goals and mine are aligned in protecting and growing Alaska’s most important financial asset,” said Binkley in a statement released by the Governor’s Office.
He replaces the seat that is vacant after the resignation of Gabrielle Rubenstein, whose actions came under scrutiny after she was discovered to be meddling in the day-to-day operations of the Permanent Fund.
“I can’t think of any Alaskan more qualified to serve as a trustee than John Binkley,” said Dunleavy. “His blend of private and public sector experience is unrivaled, and he will immediately contribute to the preservation and growth of our permanent fund.”
Binkley will join the board at its next meeting Wednesday, February 12 in Juneau.
If Binkley’s ownership of the ADN is any indication, you can forget about anything happening to turn the mess around.
Dunleavy, if you recall, appointed to the supreme court the very justice who ruled against his docking the administrative budget of the judiciary the exact amount of abortion funding. And he wants us to trust his judgment?!