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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 07-025
Tom Irwin to Head Department of Natural Resources
February 9, 2007, Juneau, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin today named Tom Irwin as Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources. Marty Rutherford has been named Deputy Commissioner.
Irwin was the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources from January 2003 to October 2005. He currently works as the Vice President of Government and Public Affairs for Golden Valley Electric Association. He also led the Palin transition team for the Department of Natural Resources. Irwin received a Bachelor of Science in Mineral Engineering-Chemistry from the Colorado School of Mines.
“Tom has the experience, talent and know-how to manage Alaska’s resources and bring those resources, including Alaska’s gas reserves, to market,” said Governor Palin. “His strong private-sector background will be a major asset to the department. I am confident that Tom will provide an invaluable resource to the state’s ongoing efforts to develop our natural resources.”
“I consider it a real privilege and honor to be asked by Governor Palin to join her team,” said Irwin. “The people of Alaska are the most fortunate people in the world with ‘all’ of our resources, but the resources must be maximally developed and managed, and in an environmentally-sensitive manner. The core of our state economy is resource development. Our Governor supports resource development and I look forward to working with her on the opportunities available for Alaska.”
Rutherford also has a long history with the Department of Natural Resources. She has served as Acting Commissioner since November 2006 and as Deputy Commissioner from 1992-2005. Rutherford has been instrumental in drafting the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act, the vehicle to negotiate an Alaska natural gas pipeline. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pacific University.
“Marty has a proven track record of working hard for the state on so many natural resource issues,” said Governor Palin. “I am excited because Marty can now dedicate all her energies to lead our gasline team.”
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Tom again,” said Rutherford. “The development of the state’s gas reserves remains my top priority and working with Tom only strengthens our efforts.”
The Department of Natural Resources manages all state-owned land, water and natural resources, except for fish and game, on behalf of the people of Alaska. The state owns approximately 65 million acres of tidelands, shorelands, and submerged lands and manages 34,000 miles of coastline. The state also owns the freshwater resources of the state. ###
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