DEC chief leaves state service

Petroleum News

Alaska Commissioner of Environmental Conservation Ernesta Ballard is leaving state service Oct. 25 to become a senior vice president at Weyerhaeuser Co.

Ballard, 58, said the new position with one of the world’s largest integrated forest products company fits perfectly with her long career in public and private sectors.

“It has been an honor to serve Governor Murkowski. Together we have demonstrated that development and resource protection are compatible,” Ballard said. “I urge Alaskans to support the natural resource development policies of this remarkable team. Alaska’s interest will always be my interest.”

Ballard will serve as senior vice president of Corporate Affairs with Weyerhaeuser, headquartered in Federal Way, Wash.

Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski said in an Oct. 15 statement that he is sorry to lose the service of Ballard, who has been a valued cabinet member and outstanding state environmental regulator.

“Ernesta has shown integrity and commitment in fulfilling the regulatory responsibilities of the Department of Environmental Conservation. We wish her well in her new assignment,” Murkowski said. Ballard, who joined the administration in 2002, came from Ketchikan where she headed a consulting practice specializing in regulatory strategy that emphasized integrated management systems to protect the environment, health and safety.

Ballard served as regional administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 from 1983-1986. She was appointed in 1997 by President Clinton to serve on the Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service where she chaired the Audit Committee.

Murkowski has named Deputy Commissioner Kurt Fredriksson as acting commissioner. “Kurt was instrumental in drafting our recent comments on the report of the U.S. Oceans Commission and he will be a good steward of the department and, most importantly, of the environment,” Murkowski said.