AIDEA Board Names New Executive Director

Anchorage–The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) Board appointed Tomas Boutin as AIDEA Executive Director. Mr. Boutin comes to this position after a distinguished career in Forestry, including four years of service as Alaska State Forester. He is also a former Deputy Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Revenue.

“We are pleased to appoint Tom as AIDEA’s new Executive Director and look forward to working with him and AIDEA’s talented executive team as we continue our partnership with Alaskans to promote, develop, and advance economic growth and diversification in our great state,” said AIDEA Board Chairman Dana Pruhs.

The AIDEA Board also appointed current Executive Director, John Springsteen, to the position of Chief Operating Officer for the Authority. Mr. Springsteen has been tapped to bring AIDEA’s financing expertise to Governor Michael J. Dunleavy’s newly created Industry Development Task Force. Springsteen has served as AIDEA’s Executive Director since March 2015 and will represent AIDEA on the Task Force while working out of Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development offices in downtown Anchorage.

“We are grateful for John’s hard work and dedication during his time as Executive Director,” Pruhs stated. “His leadership was instrumental in helping guide AIDEA through several very dynamic years. We look forward to working with him in his new role on Governor Dunleavy’s Task Force.”

Mr. Boutin received his undergraduate degree in Forest Resources from the University of New Hampshire and holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Oregon School of Business. Mr. Springsteen received his undergraduate degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and holds a Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University.

Boutin and Springsteen began their new duties on February 11.