George Martinez Jr. has been a lifelong community organizer, educator and social entrepreneur. When former Minority Leader of the Alaska House of Representatives, Ethan Berkowitz ran for Mayor in 2015, he saw Martinez’s non-profit experience and past professional work as an asset to his office, appointing Martinez as Special Assistant to the Mayor. Martinez was inspired by Berkowitz’s vision and optimism for Anchorage, and honored by the opportunity to serve.
In his role, Martinez focuses on education, youth development, diversity, and economic development with a mission to make local government more accessible to the people of Anchorage. Among his many hats, Martinez oversees the Youth Advisory Commission (YAC), a platform for young people to review policies, give feedback and have their voices heard at the highest levels of government. He is active in the Welcoming Anchorage Initiative, a collaborative effort between the Municipality of Anchorage, local businesses and organizations and the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation that strives for a more inclusive city where everyone feels welcome. Martinez’s economic development work includes educational forums for small businesses, connecting them with local resources and opportunities. He also administers the Arts Advisory Commission.
Learn more about the work of George Martinez Jr. and the Municipality of Anchorage at Muni.org.