Sheldon Fisher, right, will replace Randall Hoffbeck, left, as commissioner of the Alaska Department of Revenue. Here, they are seen in 2015 discussing the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) and the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) with the Alaska Legislature. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Sheldon Fisher, right, will replace Randall Hoffbeck, left, as commissioner of the Alaska Department of Revenue. Here, they are seen in 2015 discussing the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) and the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) with the Alaska Legislature. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Walker administration turns to familiar face for new revenue commissioner

Alaska has a new commissioner of revenue. On Thursday, the office of Gov. Bill Walker announced that Sheldon Fisher, commissioner of the Department of Administration, will take the job.

The announcement comes as Gov. Bill Walker prepares to summon lawmakers to Juneau for a special session to address the state’s multibillion-dollar deficit. Walker intends to place a new tax measure atop the agenda for that special session.

Fisher replaces Randy Hoffbeck, who left the department earlier this year for private life. On the Administration side, Fisher will be replaced on an interim basis by deputy commissioner Leslie Ridle, said department spokeswoman Minta Montalbo.

It should be business as usual until a permanent replacement is announced.

“That’s the goal,” Montalbo said.

Fisher was named commissioner of Administration by Walker in December 2014. Before that, he was chief operating officer at McKinley Capital Management LLC in Anchorage. Fisher also worked for six years at Alaska Communications, where he served as senior vice president of sales and product marketing.

He ran against U.S. Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, in 2010’s Republican primary.


• Contact reporter James Brooks at james.k.brooks@juneauempire.com or call 523-2258.


More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Feb. 1

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

A person is detained in Anchorage in recent days by officials from the FBI and U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (FBI Anchorage Field Office photo)
Trump’s immigration raids arrive in Alaska, while Coast Guard in state help deportations at southern US border

Anchorage arrests touted by FBI, DEA; Coast Guard plane from Kodiak part of “alien expulsion flight operations.”

Two flags with pro-life themes, including the lower one added this week to one that’s been up for more than a year, fly along with the U.S. and Alaska state flags at the Governor’s House on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Doublespeak: Dunleavy adds second flag proclaiming pro-life allegiance at Governor’s House

First flag that’s been up for more than a year joined by second, more declarative banner.

Students play trumpets at the first annual Jazz Fest in 2024. (Photo courtesy of Sandy Fortier)
Join the second annual Juneau Jazz Fest to beat the winter blues

Four-day music festival brings education of students and Southeast community together.

Frank Richards, president of the Alaska Gasline Development Corp., speaks at a Jan. 6, 2025, news conference held in Anchorage by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Dunleavy and Randy Ruaro, executive director of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, are standing behind RIchards. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
For fourth consecutive year, gas pipeline boss is Alaska’s top-paid public executive

Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, had the highest compensation among state legislators after all got pay hike.

Juneau Assembly Member Maureen Hall (left) and Mayor Beth Weldon (center) talk to residents during a break in an Assembly meeting Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, about the establishment of a Local Improvement District that would require homeowners in the area to pay nearly $6,300 each for barriers to protect against glacial outburst floods. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Flood district plan charging property owners nearly $6,300 each gets unanimous OK from Assembly

117 objections filed for 466 properties in Mendenhall Valley deemed vulnerable to glacial floods.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Friday, Jan. 31, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Most Read