Professional Affiliation

Professor, University of Alaska Anchorage

Expert Bio

Willie Hensley attended boarding high school in Tennessee, received his BA degree from George Washington University and an Honorary Doctor of Law degree from the University of Alaska Anchorage.

He served as Manager of Federal Government Relations for Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, served as Commissioner of Commerce and Economic Development.  He has served 10 years in the Alaska House of Representatives and Senate.  He was a founder of NANA Regional Corporation and served as director as well as  President of NANA Development.  While at NANA he was active in the development one of the world’s premier lead and zinc mines, Red Dog.  Hensley helped organized the Alaska Federation of Natives and served as Executive Director, President and Co-Chairman.  He is the author of Fifty Miles from Tomorrow: A Memoir of Alaska and the Real People, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux. He is also Chair of the First Alaskans Institute.