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Walter Hickel

Walter J. Hickel (1919–2010) was a prominent Alaskan businessman, politician, and public servant who served as the Governor of Alaska twice, from 1966 to 1969 and again from 1990 to 1994. Hickel was a key figure in Alaska’s statehood movement and played a pivotal role in its early development. As governor, he pushed for economic growth, particularly through the development of Alaska’s oil resources, and was instrumental in the creation of the Alaska Permanent Fund. A staunch advocate for Alaska’s independence, he also held the position of Secretary of the Interior under President Richard Nixon, where he promoted environmental conservation and resource development. Hickel’s leadership, characterized by a mix of conservatism and progressive vision, left a lasting impact on Alaska’s political landscape. Along with former governor William A. Egan, he was a founding director of Commonwealth North.