Susan Bell was appointed Commissioner of the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development on July 8, 2010, by Governor Sean Parnell.

Most recently, she served as a Special Assistant to the Governor, working closely with the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. During the 2010 legislative session, she contributed to several initiatives intended to strengthen Alaska’s economy and communities, including enhanced business financing, increased funding for marketing of Alaska’s industries, and tax relief. Bell has an extensive background in community development, economic development and transportation infrastructure projects.

She has held numerous senior-level business management and marketing positions and understands the challenges faced by communities and small businesses in this state.

Bell has successfully collaborated with Alaska community leaders, private residents, nonprofit organizations, ANCSA corporations and other tribal entities, and state and federal agencies. She has also served as a steering committee member for Alaska Forward, a statewide economic development initiative that includes representatives from the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce, the University of Alaska, U.S. Economic Development Administration and regional economic development associations.

Born in Nome and raised in Fairbanks, Bell has been a resident of Southeast Alaska since 1987. She is a shareholder of Bering Straits Native Corporation and Sitnasuak Native Corporation, and served as a vice president for Goldbelt Incorporated, with responsibility for the marketing and management of nearly a dozen separate business ventures.

Bell received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alaska. In her spare time, she volunteers for Big Brothers Big Sisters and enjoys spending time outdoors.

Curtis Thayer has been a leader in economic and business development for more than 15 years. Born in Anchorage, Curtis grew up in Alaska and graduated from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Curtis has extensive experience in energy development, having worked for ENSTAR Natural Gas Company, as well as the Alaska Gas Producers Pipeline Team. He also spent several years in Washington, D.C., working for Congressman Don Young and the Committee on Resources in the U.S. House of Representatives, and later worked with Senators Ted Stevens and Lisa Murkowski.

As an active participant in the Alaska business community, Curtis is a member of the Resource Development Counsel, Commonwealth North, and Alaska Industry Support Alliance, and he serves on the Board of

Directors of Abused Women in Crisis (AWAIC). He is the past Chairman of the Anchorage Public Safety Advisory Commission, and he has also served on the Board of Directors of Armed Services YMCA. His leadership and initiative in the community led to his recognition by the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce in its annual “Top Forty Under Forty” awards.

In his role as Deputy Commissioner, Curtis chairs the Alaska Board of Marine Pilots and the Alaska Diversified Economic Planning Team and sits on the boards of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, Alaska Housing Finance Corp., Alaska Aerospace Corp., and Alaska Climate Change Subcabinet.

He is married to Josie Thayer and they have one son, Matthew. His hobbies include saltwater fishing, boating and spending time with family and friends.