Alaska News

Walker announces 3 more top-level appointments

Gov. Bill Walker announced three new appointments in his administration late Friday, naming Heidi Drygas as labor commissioner, Darwin Peterson as legislative director and retaining Larry Hartig for the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Drygas, born and raised in Fairbanks, has worked nearly 10 years as general counsel for the Alaska District Council of Laborers, according to a statement from the governor's office. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and a juris doctor from the Willamette University College of Law in Oregon. She also runs a blog, Chena Girl Cooks, said the statement. The latest recipe involved roasted Brussels sprouts.

Peterson has 20 years' experience working in the Alaska Legislature, including for the Senate Finance Committee and most recently as chief of staff for Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka.

Hartig has served as conservation commissioner since 2007. He has also served as a trustee on the board of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. since 2009 and has experience as a private attorney working on environmental and other matters.

Alex DeMarban

Alex DeMarban is a longtime Alaska journalist who covers business, the oil and gas industries and general assignments. Reach him at 907-257-4317 or alex@adn.com.

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