Palin makes two board appointments

Gov. Sarah Palin made two appointments with relevance to the oil and gas industry on May 21, appointing Nick Stepovich to the Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority and Casey Williams to the Alaska-Alberta Bilateral Council.

Stepovich, of Fairbanks, owns Soapy Smith’s Pioneer Restaurant. He was appointed to the Alaska House of Representatives in 2003 and served as the chair of the Special Committee on Military and Veterans’ Affairs. Stepovich is the son of former Territorial Governor Mike Stepovich, appointed by President Dwight Eisenhower.

Stepovich becomes the fourth ANGDA board member appointed by Palin since she took office in December 2006, following Don Benson, Lorie Hovanec and Kate Lamal.

Williams, of Wasilla, is an EOC specialist for BP Exploration, serving as the central contact for all Prudhoe Bay eastern area facilities. He has worked in various positions on the North Slope since 1983.

The Alaska-Alberta Bilateral Council brings together the Alaska Legislature, government officials and private industry to provide direction on bilateral issues; to facilitate cooperation in a number of areas including transportation, trade and development; to address potential cross border concerns; and to learn from each other’s best practices.

—Petroleum News