The Honorable Richard Beneville

Guest Speaker

Professional Affiliation

Mayor, Nome, Alaska

Expert Bio

Mayor Beneville is a proud resident of 30 years and Mayor of Nome, Alaska. Prior to moving to Nome, Mayor Beneville lived in Utqiagvik (Barrow) for 10 years. He also serves as a Board member of the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce, and Vice President of the Nome Chamber of Commerce, the Bering Strait Leadership Committee, the Nome Community Center and Nome Arts Council. The Mayor is also an active member of the Alaska Travel Industry Association and founder of Nome Discovery Tours now in its 30th year. In November, he will assume the Chairmanship of Alaska Municipal League’s Alaska Mayor’s Association. The Mayor considers the high Arctic his home and passion where climate change presents many challenges and many opportunities to the people of the Far North and the world. At the very core of all is maintaining respect for the indigenous people, their knowledge, and their culture.