AIDEA Board Names New Executive Director

A former chief of staff to the governor is the new Executive Director of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA). The board of directors of the state-backed corporation appointed Randy Ruaro to the position, replacing Alan Weitzner, who resigned in November to pursue private sector opportunities.

Ruaro most recently served as Governor Mike Dunleavy’s chief of staff, managing the governor’s office and providing administrative oversight to state agencies. He has previous executive leadership experience with former governors Frank Murkowski, Sarah Palin, and Sean Parnell. In the legislative branch, Ruaro served as chief of staff for the Senate and House Finance Committees as well as Legislative Budget and Audit Committee Aide.

“We are pleased to announce that Randy Ruaro has accepted the position of Executive Director,” says AIDEA board chairman Dana Pruhs. “Randy has extensive experience leading departments for the State of Alaska, and we look forward to working with him and AIDEA’s talented executive team as we advance economic growth and diversification for Alaskans.”

Ruaro holds a degree from Willamette University College of Law. As an attorney, he worked on access issues, permitting, and state land rights for Alaska. He has supported AIDEA projects before, including the Ketchikan Shipyard, Skagway Ore Terminal, the Ambler Access Project, and 1002 leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Pruhs adds, “I would like to acknowledge AIDEA’s Chief Investment Officer and Interim Executive Director, Morgan Neff, for his leadership during this transition and look forward to Randy working closely with the entire team to advance AIDEA’s mission.”