Two state officials move to new positions

Sen. Gene Therriault says he’ll become energy adviser to Gov. Parnell, while Division of Oil and Gas loses Nan Thompson to Enstar

Wesley Loy

For Petroleum News

Two public officials familiar to many in Alaska energy circles are taking new jobs.

State Sen. Gene Therriault, a Republican from the North Pole community near Fairbanks, announced Aug. 21 he’s accepted the newly created position of senior energy policy adviser to Gov. Sean Parnell.

A press release from Therriault’s office said his role will be to “bring greater focus, coordination and analysis related to development of Alaska’s vast energy resources.” He’ll start the new job in mid-September.

“Specifically, I am asking Sen. Therriault to help us achieve success in bringing more of Alaska’s energy resources — of all kinds — to Alaskan homes and businesses,” said Parnell, who took over as governor on July 26 after Sarah Palin resigned mid-term.

Therriault, 49, has served in the state Legislature for 17 years, rising to Senate president in 2003-04. Most recently, he’s headed a small Republican minority as a bipartisan coalition has taken the Senate leadership. He was an outspoken Palin supporter.

Therriault sat 12 years on the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee, noting he served as chairman in 2006 as legislators prepared to overhaul Alaska’s oil and gas tax system. The committee takes the point in hiring energy and other experts to advise lawmakers.

Therriault has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. His resume says he’s been involved in a welding business and other ventures.

“I look forward to working with Gov. Parnell as he evaluates alternative energy options that will restore predictability and affordability to the price Alaskans pay for energy,” Therriault said. “I believe this governor is determined and committed to finding solutions to the challenges Alaskans are facing in both rural and urban areas of the state and I am very pleased he asked me to assist him.”

Parnell spokeswoman Sharon Leighow said Therriault will be paid in the range of $90,000 to $110,000 a year. The position is newly created, so the final pay details are still being worked out, she said.

A former Therriault aide, Joe Balash, also joined the governor’s office during the Palin administration and continues to serve under Parnell as special staff assistant on the administration’s North Slope natural gas pipeline efforts, Railbelt electric power and Cook Inlet gas.

Nan Thompson to join Enstar

Thompson, a lawyer, has supervised oil and gas unit matters in the state Division of Oil and Gas, and has taken a prominent role on such issues as the state’s legal struggle with Exxon Mobil Corp. over development of the huge Point Thomson oil and gas field on the North Slope.

“She is coming aboard. I can confirm that,” said John Sims, spokesman for Anchorage-based Enstar.

Thompson will join the company on Sept. 21, Sims said.

Enstar President Colleen Starring said the company conducted a national search and found a winner at home in Anchorage.

Thompson will be vice president and general counsel and will “be our interface” with the state government, as well as Enstar’s chief regulatory officer, Starring said.