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Roger Holland enjoying dinner in Anchorage with his wife Leslie, and daughters, Sarah and Chloe.
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VETERAN, HUSBAND, FATHER, HERE TO SERVE
I am honored to serve the constituents of Senate District N in the Alaska State Senate. I want to put out the word I'll be having a constituent meeting in Anchorage on Sunday, February 6th at 9 AM at the South Anchorage IHOP off of Old Seward Hwy. I look forward to hearing feedback on topics that are important to you regarding challenges our state is facing and I plan to discuss the priorities for this session, the best guess on what we'll get accomplished, the per diem and pay issue, and anything else anyone wants to discuss.
My wife, Leslie and I were both born and raised in Louisiana, near New Orleans and I graduated from the University of New Orleans in 1985 with a bachelors degree in Biology. Most of my work between 1985 and 2009 was in the area of environmental science. During that time, I worked for a variety of public and private sector organizations, including Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Southern Petroleum Laboratories, Baker-Hughes INTEQ, Johnson Controls World Services, and the University of Louisiana Lafayette. Leslie and I were married in 1990 and just a year later we moved to Lafayette, Louisiana where our two daughters, Chloe and Sarah, were born. In 2009 my wife and I packed up our family and moved to Anchorage where we continued raising our two daughters. In Anchorage, I accepted the position of State Metrologist and I worked in the State Metrology Laboratory from 2010 until 2020.
This job as your legislator is full of daily challenges, but I am very grateful to be surrounded by motived, knowledgeable, effective staff to help me get the job done. Serving as my Chief of Staff is our very own Nikki Rose, bringing her years of experience and education in political science and knowledge about our state. Economist Ed King serves my committee aide for the Senate Education and Senate Judiciary Committees. As you can imagine, serving as Chairman for dual committees is a honor and it takes all hands on deck. Our team is rounded out by Craig Valdez, who brings his background in the medical field to our office, and we are very grateful.
It's great working with my staff and interested parties on the several pieces of legislation our office is carrying this session. Besides the Senate Education Committee Bill (SB 111), our office is also working on:
SB 131- to expand workman's comp coverage for Alaskan firefighters,
SB 132- working with Alaskan veterinarians regarding the PDMP,
SB 145- restricting legislator retroactive per diem, and,
SB 148- improving boating safety education in Alaska.
Some of these topics are multi-faceted, and I invite you to contact me with your thoughts. Hearing from constituents and sharing ideas is one of my favorite parts of serving. My door is always open and my cell phone number is 907-351-8277.
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VETERAN: Life with the Coast Guard
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Roger Holland on deployment to the Persian Gulf
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Last year, 2021 marked a couple of anniversaries for me. My wife, Leslie and I celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary, and I also completed 30th year in the US Coast Guard Reserves. On February 1st, 2021, I retired after 30 years.
My military career began in January 1991 when I enlisted as a Boatswains Mate in the United States Coast Guard Reserves. My assignments included Coast Guard Station New Orleans (1991-1995), Coast Guard Station Venice (1995-1998), and Port Security Unit 308 (1998-2009) near Gulfport, Mississippi. As a Tactical Coxswain with PSU 308, I deployed to Bahrain in 2002, Kuwait in 2003-2004, and I went on to serve as the Chief of the Boat Division in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in 2007. I have also been recalled to active duty in response to Coast Guard operations that have included Hurricane Katrina and Operation Deepwater Horizon. With 30 years completed, I retired from my final assignment in early 2021 having served as the Reserve Command Senior Chief at Sector Anchorage, Alaska, from 2010 through 2021.
Some of my awards include the Joint Service Achievement Medal, both the Global War on Terror Service and Expeditionary Medals, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, the Special Operations Service Ribbon, and various other personal and unit awards.
I am also a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Chief Petty Officer Association, the Reserve Officers Association, the Coast Guard Combat Veterans’ Association, and the Knights of Columbus.
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Having earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of New Orleans in 1985, I have worked as an environmental biologist in both the private and public sectors during my early years. In Alaska, I accepted the position of State Metrologist in January 2010 and worked in the State of Alaska Metrology Lab for ten years until January 2020. I resigned from that state position and was elected as a state senator in November 2020. I was sworn in as the District N Senator in January 2021.
Some of my hobbies include boating and fishing in Prince William Sound and snow-machining in southcentral Alaska.
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RACE STARTS
Expedition Class Start February 17th at 10AM
Pro Class Start February February 19th 10AM
The Iron Dog began in 1984 as the “Iron Dog Iditarod.” Today, 38 years later, it is known as The Iron Dog and spans more than 2,600 miles starting in Wasilla, with a halfway stop in Nome, then around the Red Dog Loop, before returning to Wasilla.
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Since 1935, Fur Rendezvous – known locally as Fur Rondy – has proudly represented the pioneering spirit of Alaskans. In addition to more than 20 official cultural and sporting activities, the Anchorage community hosts nearly 50 Rondy Round Town events, offering wacky winter fun for all ages.
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Future Constituent Events
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This weekend, I will be back in Anchorage, and I invite you to join me on Sunday, February 6th at 9 AM at the South Anchorage IHOP for a cup of coffee and time to share your concerns and feedback on topics that are important to you regarding challenges our state is facing. I'm looking forward to sharing priorities for this session, the best guess on what we'll get accomplished, the per diem and pay issue, and anything else anyone wants to discuss.
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The PFD deadline is March 31, 2022. Make sure to file for your PFD before the deadline.
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Interested in tracking Legislation?
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SMS Bill Tracking! Text a bill number (ex: HB1) to 559-245-2529 to enroll in text alerts. You will receive an enrollment confirmation and instructions on how to stop receiving the alerts.
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Contact Info:
Email:
Senator.Roger.Holland@akleg.gov
Session Contact
State Capitol Room 115
Juneau AK, 99801
Phone: 907-465-4843
Cell/Text: 907-351-8277
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COMMUNITY COUNCIL SCHEDULES
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Link to Anchorage Community Councils
Basher Community Council, at 7PM February 10
Bear Valley Community Council, at 7PM February 9
GBOS Regular Meeting, at 7PM February 21
Hillside Community Council, 7PM February 21
Huffman/O’Malley Community Council, 7PM February 17
Rabbit Creek Community Council, 7PM February 10
Scenic Foothills Community Council, 6:30PM February 3
Turnagain Arm Community Council, 7PM February 10
Northeast Community Council, 7PM February 17
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