JUNEAU -- Alaska House Speaker Mike Chenault has been elected to a leadership position within the bipartisan National Conference of State Legislatures.

A news release from the House majority says the Nikiski Republican was chosen recently to serve on the conference's executive committee. The committee is the conference's governing body.

Chenault's chief of staff, Tom Wright, also was recently selected to act as staff vice chair for 2012-13.

The National Conference of State Legislatures serves lawmakers and their staffs. According to its website, it provides research, technical help and opportunities to exchange ideas on pressing state issues.