(January 7, 2019) JUNEAU – Alaska Governor Michael J. Dunleavy today announced key changes and appointments to the seven-member board of directors governing the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC). Governor Dunleavy named Department of Labor Commissioner Tamika Ledbetter and Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Jason Brune to serve as State of Alaska department-level appointees to the AGDC Board. Doug Smith and Dan Coffey, both of Anchorage, were also named to replace outgoing board members Hugh Short of Girdwood and Joey Merrick of Eagle River. Short and Merrick were both notified of their dismissal from the AGDC board earlier today.
“Alaskans have long focused on the benefits of reduced energy costs, bringing our rich energy resources to market and monetizing our North Slope gas. Today’s announcement continues those goals, while putting in place the personnel to make diligent review of the project. AGDC is tasked with a very complex mission – and I look forward to seeing how best the State can assist in moving a project forward,” said Governor Dunleavy. “Each one of our appointees bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to table, including in areas of resource development, labor and workforce, regulatory issues and oversight, and I look forward to working closely with them in the future.”
AGDC is governed by a seven-member board of directors — five public members and two principal department heads of the State of Alaska. Board members are appointed by the governor and subject to confirmation by the legislature. New members of the board will join AGDC board members Dave Cruz of Palmer, David Wight of Anchorage, and Warren Christian of North Pole.
Background and Bios:
Dr. Tamika Ledbetter serves as the Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Under her leadership, the Department serves to provide safe and legal working conditions and advance opportunities for employment. She held several key positions with the Department prior to becoming Commissioner, including Regional Manager for the Anchorage/Mat-Su Economic Region.
Jason Brune is the Commissioner of Department of Environmental Conservation. He most recently served as the senior director of land and resources for the Cook Inlet Region, Inc (CIRI). Brune has served in various capacities in recent years, including as Executive Director of the Resource Development Council, Board President of the Alaska Miners Association, and member of the State Chamber of Commerce Board and the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory Committee.
Doug Smith, of Anchorage, has specialized in the Alaska oil and gas and construction industries for over 25 years. He has previously served as the President and CEO of ASRC Energy Services, and on the boards of the Resource Development Council and Alaska Support Industry Alliance.
Dan Coffey, of Anchorage, served two terms as Chair of the Anchorage Assembly. He is a business owner, attorney and longtime oil and gas advocate. Coffey previously served as the Chairman of the Alaska Board of Fish, as Chairman of the Anchorage Energy Commission and as a member of the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation Community Advisory Council.
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