Mark Begich and George Wuerch will share their positions and strategies for promoting and supporting international trade and related economic development for Anchorage. The candidates will discuss plans for making Anchorage, and Alaska, more competitive globally. The floor will then be open for questions and comments, enabling an interactive forum for discussing issues related to international trade.

Mark Begich has over 25 years of business experience. Today he oversees real estate investments and is a partner in a small vending business. Mr. Begich served as chairman of the Anchorage Municipal Assembly for several terms. Mr. Begich is the primary sponsor and author of the "Make a Difference" program and Gov. Knowles appointed him Chair of the Governor's At-Risk Youth Conference Committee in 1996. He is currently a member of the McLaughlin Youth Center Advisory Board, Chair of the Student Loan Corporation and Co-Chair of the Juvenile Justice Working Group. Mr. Begich is the founder and also serves as chair of the "Spirit of Youth" Foundation, a non-profit corporation which recognizes and awards teens who are doing positive and creative community service projects.

George Wuerch earned a bachelor's degree in engineering technology from Oregon State University and a master's degree in management from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. Mr. Wuerch served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 21 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Mr. Wuerch has over 20 years of post-military business experience ranging from a manager at Northwest Alaskan Gasoline and founder and president of Fluor Daniel Alaska Engineering to vice president of corporate affairs for Alyeska Pipeline Service Company. Mr. Wuerch's service to the community includes the Executive Committee, Western Council, Boy Scouts of America, the Chairman of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the United Way Campaign and Chairman of the Anchorage Assembly. He is currently on the Board of Regents for Charter College, on the Board of Advisors for the University of Alaska Anchorage, on the Advisory Board for Providence Hospital and is an Anchorage assemblyman.

The forum will be held Wednesday, April 26^th , at the National Bank of Alaska, C Street & Northern Lights, in the 5th Floor Conference Room beginning at 12:00 noon. Doors open at 11:40 a.m. and lunch is available. The forum is open to the public.

Cost for the luncheon forum is $12 for members (WTCAK) and $15 for nonmembers. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling the World Trade Center Alaska at 907-278-7233.