10 apply to serve on Permanent Fund board

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has yet to fill the vacancy on the Alaska Permanent Fund board created by the resignation of Gabrielle Rubenstein, which followed disclosures about her questionable dealings with the staff of the corporation.

Among other things, Rubenstein complained that some corporation personnel should be fired, charges that might prompt a “reasonable person” to ask if the complaints are retaliation for the corporation not acting on her investment ideas, a top executive of the fund wrote in an email early this year.

Ten people have applied this year to serve as trustees.

The annual meeting of the trustees is September 25-26 in Anchorage.

Larry Smith, an Alaskan who pays close attention to the fund, filed a public records request for the names of those who have applied this year to serve on the trustees.

Dunleavy is free to choose whoever he wants for the board and an application is not necessary. Rubenstein, for example, did not apply to serve as a trustee. Dunleavy called and asked her to take the position.

The four public members of the six-member board are supposed to have experience in finance, investments and business, according to a state law that gives the governor wide latitude.

Legislative confirmation is not required to serve on the board and there is no independent vetting of applicants.

Here are the 2024 applicants:

Aaron Lojewski, former member of the borough assembly in Fairbanks.

Steven Rieger, a former legislator and former trustee of the Permanent Fund.

Sheldon Fisher, a former state revenue commissioner.

Kyle Foster, board member of the Aleut corporation

Mary Ann Pease, consultant and former telecommunications executive.

Bernard Gatewood, retired juvenile justice superintendent.

Kekama Tuiofu, financial advisor.

Calvin Moto

Amanda Mae McFarland

Tyrell Rettke