Beverly Masek facts for kids

Beverly L. "Bev" Masek (born September 30, 1963) is an Alaska Native woman from the United States. She is known for being a dog sled racer and a businesswoman. Bev Masek also served as a politician for the Republican Party in the state of Alaska.

Early Life and Career

Beverly Jerue was born in Anvik, Alaska in 1963. She grew up in an Alaska Native family. Bev went to local schools and finished high school in Anvik.

Later, Bev married Jan Masek. He was an immigrant from Czechoslovakia. Together, they owned a kennel for racing dogs and also ran a lodge. Bev also worked as a bookkeeper.

Bev learned about sled dogs when she was a child. She was a very active dog sled racer from the early 1980s to the early 1990s. She competed five times in the famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Bev finished the race four times. Her best finishes were 21st place in 1991 and 23rd place in 1992.

Political Career

Bev Masek became involved with the Republican Party. She was elected to the Alaska House of Representatives several times. Her time in the House started in 1995 and ended in 2005. She won her first election for an open seat. This was a year when other Republican candidates also won against Democrats in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley.

During her time in the House, Bev Masek was the chairwoman of the House Resources Committee. This committee works on important issues related to Alaska's natural resources. She was also notable as an Alaska Native lawmaker.