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Mark Begich, 46, is in his fifth year as mayor of Alaska's largest city, which under his administration is entering its 20th consecutive year of economic growth, has enjoyed a record building boom and is financially sound due to strong fiscal management.

Begich, the city's first mayor born in Anchorage, is the son of Alaska's third congressman, Nick Begich, whose airplane disappeared in the Gulf of Alaska during his 1972 re-election bid.

Under Mayor Begich, Anchorage's bond ratings have improved to among the top 5 percent in the country, some 9,200 new jobs have been created, the city enjoyed the second highest construction value in city history and property taxes dropped for the majority of Anchorage property owners between 2006-07.

Begich has worked to ensure that Anchorage's increasingly diverse population - where 95 languages are spoken among public school students - share in the city's prosperity. For three years during Begich's tenure, Anchorage has been named one of America's "100 Best Communities for Young People" by America's Promise.