Walker fills vacancy on AGDC board

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker has named A.J. “Joey” Merrick II of Eagle River to fill a vacancy on the board of the Alaska Gasline Development Corp. and reappointed Dave Cruz of Palmer.

“Joey’s experience in the construction and pipeline industries, combined with his statewide business experience, will make him an outstanding addition to AGDC’s governing body,” Walker said in a statement.

Merrick jointed Laborers’ Local 341 in 1989 as a laborer apprentice and has since served as a general foreman, business agent and president, and is now the union’s secretary treasurer. He has more than 15 years of experience as a foreman in construction specific to Alaska’s pipeline industry, the governor’s office said.

Cruz, reappointed to the board, is president of Cruz Cos., which specializes in oil field services, heavy civil construction, remote camp construction, tug and barge operations, and a variety of other construction support activities.

“Dave Cruz brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from the construction industry,” Walker said. “His work on the North Slope and first-hand knowledge of cold weather construction are essential to moving a gasline project forward in Alaska.”

The seven-member AGDC board oversees the state’s efforts to develop a liquefied natural gas project.

There are five public members and two commissioners: John Burns of Fairbanks, Cruz, Rick Halford of Dillingham, Merrick, Hugh Short of Girdwood, Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Heidi Drygas and Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development Commissioner Chris Hladick.

- Petroleum News