Pat Blakney

I have lived in Alaska since 1973 coming here with my husband via a military assignment.  In September of 1973 I went to work for Allstate Insurance as a field service representative.  In 1975 married Bob Blakney, who was the claims adjuster for Allstate. I had a daughter, Kirsten and Bob had two children Paul and Melody.  In 1978 we had a son, Matthew.   That next year I became a sales agent for Allstate and currently have my own agency in Anchorage.  When Matthew went to kindergarten at Turnagain, I was approached to join the PTA working on their special reading projects.  Next thing I knew I was the treasurer and held that position for 6 years, moved on to treasurer at Romig Jr High for 2 years and treasurer at West High School for 4 years.

At the State convention in Fairbanks, when Abbe Hensley became the president, I was “volunteered” for the position of convention chair which I held for the next 18 years.  I also was the interim treasurer for about one year when the current person was transferred with the military.  I have attended the National PTA convention 10 times throughout my PTA career.  All of my children graduated from school by 1996 but I still stayed involved on the State level.  I now have 4 grandsons, ages 16 – 5, who attend public schools in Anchorage and a granddaughter – 8 months old who lives in California.  I currently serve on the AK Board of Managers as the State Treasurer.  PTA is my volunteer work and I thoroughly enjoy being involved with all aspects of  this educational organization.