Commissioner Susan K. Bell

Susan Bell was appointed Commissioner of the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development on July 8, 2010, by Governor Sean Parnell.

Most recently, she served as a Special Assistant to the Governor, working closely with the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. She has contributed to several initiatives that strengthen Alaska’s economy and communities, including enhanced business financing, increased funding for marketing of Alaska’s industries, and tax relief. Bell has an extensive background in community and economic development.

She has held numerous senior-level business management and marketing positions and understands the challenges faced by communities and small businesses in this state.

Bell has successfully collaborated with Alaska community leaders, private residents, nonprofit organizations, ANCSA corporations and other tribal entities, and state and federal agencies. She also served as a steering committee member for Alaska Forward, a statewide economic development initiative that includes representatives from the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce, the University of Alaska, U.S. Economic Development Administration and regional economic development associations.

Bell was recently appointed state co-chair of the federal Denali Commission. She also serves as vice chair of the Board of Directors of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) and Alaska Energy Authority (AEA), and is a member of the Alaska Railroad Corp. Board of Directors.

Born in Nome and raised in Fairbanks, Bell has been a resident of Southeast Alaska since 1987. She is a shareholder of Bering Straits Native Corporation and Sitnasuak Native Corporation, and served as a vice president for Goldbelt Incorporated, with responsibility for the marketing and management of nearly a dozen separate business ventures.

Bell received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alaska. In her spare time, she volunteers for Big Brothers Big Sisters and enjoys spending time outdoors.

 

Deputy Commissioner Curtis Thayer

Curtis Thayer has been deputy commissioner of the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development since December 2009, when he was appointed by Governor Sean Parnell. He has been a leader in economic and business development for more than 15 years.

Born in Anchorage, Curtis grew up in Alaska and graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He has extensive experience in energy development, having worked for ENSTAR Natural Gas Company, as well as the Alaska Gas Producers Pipeline Team. He also spent several years in Washington, D.C., working for Congressman Don Young and the Committee on Resources in the U.S. House of Representatives, and later working with Senators Ted Stevens and Lisa Murkowski.

As an active participant in the Alaska business community, Curtis currently serves on the Board of Directors of Abused Women in Crisis (AWAIC). He is the past Chairman of the Anchorage Public Safety Advisory Commission, and he has also served on the Board of Directors of Armed Services YMCA. His leadership and initiative in the community led to his recognition by the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce in its annual “Top Forty Under Forty” awards.

In his role as deputy commissioner, Curtis chairs the Alaska Board of Marine Pilots and the Alaska Diversified Economic Planning Team and sits on the boards of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, Alaska Housing Finance Corp, Alaska Royalty Oil and Gas Development Advisory Board, and Alaska Climate Change Subcabinet.

He lives in Anchorage with his wife, Josie Thayer, and their son.

 

Office Contacts:
Susan K. Bell	Commissioner	(907) 465-2500
Curtis Thayer	Deputy Commissioner	(907) 465-2500
Dru Fenster	Communications Coordinator	(907) 465-2523
Roberta Graham	Special Assistant	(907) 269-8115
Crystal Koeneman	Legislative Liaison	(907) 465-2503
Anne Doyle	Executive Secretary	(907) 465-2500
Reception Desk		(907) 269-8100
FAX Number		(907) 269-8125