Gov. Bill Walker has appointed Scott Kendall of Anchorage as his new chief of staff, and transitioned former chief of staff Jim Whitaker to senior advisor on major projects.
Whitaker for the past two years has worked on critically important projects, in addition to his duties as chief of staff, and the change will allow him to focus on completing those projects and to serve as the point person for others, Walker said.
Whitaker will continue to work on the state’s interior energy project, with efforts to find efficiencies within the Alaska Energy Authority, Alaska Housing Finance Corp. and the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, plus other initiatives.
Kendall, a graduate of the University of Washington School of Law, has practiced law in Alaska for over a decade, and has worked for members of Alaska’s congressional delegation. He most recently served as campaign manager for the re-election campaign for Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska.
Walker said adjustments would be made within the governor’s office to accomplish these changes within the existing budget.
