Murkowski announces cabinet appointments
Gov.-elect Frank Murkowski announced several cabinet appointments for his administration during a press conference today in Anchorage.
Gregg Renkes, who has served as Murkowski's chief of staff and chief counsel in Washington, D.C., and as this fall's campaign coordinator, was appointed attorney general.
"I have chosen Gregg Renkes to head the Department of Law for a number of reasons," Murkowski said in a prepared statement. "First, he has been a trusted legal advisor to me for many years. He is also prepared and committed to protect the sovereign interests of Alaska."
Jim Clark, head of the Murkowski transition team, will serve as chief of staff. Clark is the managing director of the Juneau law firm Robertson, Monagle, and Eastaugh and has been a lawyer and lobbyist for timber companies in Southeast Alaska.
The Office of Management and Budget will be headed by Anchorage Budget Director Cheryl Frasca. Frasca served as deputy chief of staff from 1993 to 1994 for Gov. Walter Hickel and as director of the Division of Budget Review at the OMB from 1990 to 1993.
"Our OMB director must be experienced and knowledgeable of the state budget, and at the same time, articulate enough to be able to explain the details to legislators and other policy-makers," Murkowski said. "Cheryl has shown a great capacity to organize and effectively lead state budget writers. She will be a key player in finding solutions to the state's fiscal problems."
Murkowski also announced the heads of regional transition teams for 19 communities throughout the state.
Retiring Juneau Rep. Bill Hudson will serve as coordinator for the Juneau team.
Juneau transition team leaders include:
• Education team leader Mary Becker.
• Human resources team leader Laraine Derr.
• Natural resources team leader Scott Petsel.
• Public safety team leaders Rich Gummow and Greg Browning.
• Revenue team leader Susan Bell.
• Transportation team leader Sandy Williams.