Curtis Thayer has started work as the new president and CEO of the Alaska Chamber of Commerce, an organization whose mission is to advance the interests of business statewide.
Thayer replaces Rachael Petro, who moved out of state after heading the organization for almost five years, the chamber said in a press release on Monday.
"Thayer is strong leader who will ensure the 'voice of Alaska business' is heard and policies are adopted to attract investments and grow jobs," Chamber board chair Casey Sullivan said in a statement.
Thayer served as commissioner of the Alaska Department of Administration under Gov. Sean Parnell and prior to that was deputy commissioner of the state Commerce, Community and Economic Development Department.
"As we start a new chapter in chamber history, we have great challenges but extraordinary opportunities," Thayer said.
Thayer graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He was special assistant to U.S. Rep. Don Young and worked as the director of public and governmental affairs at Enstar Natural Gas Co., and as a spokesman for a proposed project, now tabled, to transport North Slope natural gas by pipeline to the Lower 48.