Gov. Bill Walker\u2019s cabinet is changing again, this time by way of addition.<\/p>\n
Walker announced Monday longtime oil industry professional John Hendrix has been appointed as his chief oil and gas advisor, which is a newly created cabinet level position. He introduced Hendrix during a luncheon held by the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce.<\/p>\n
Most recently, Hendrix, who has a degree in civil engineering, was general manager for Houston-based Apache Corp.\u2019s Alaska operations. Apache announced in March that it would be pulling out of Alaska largely due to depressed oil prices. The company had been exploring for oil and gas in Northern Cook Inlet since about 2010.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs Alaska navigates this new reality of low oil prices and production, the industry itself is grappling with ways to innovate amidst this economic downturn. I am pleased that John Hendrix will join my team to help steer the conversation between the state and the industry so the relationship is mutually beneficial. Given John\u2019s nearly four decades of oil and gas experience, his insight is much needed and respected,\u201d Walker said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think there\u2019s so much more we can do working with the industry and John will be a great liaison for that.\u201d<\/p>\n
A graduate of Homer High School, Hendrix started his career with in 1980 with Schlumberger Oilfield Services on the North Slope. He also spent 18 years with BP in Alaska, Russia and Britain before joining Apache in 2005.<\/p>\n
He has also served on the Alaska Oil and Gas Association Board of Directors and been the trade association\u2019s vice president.<\/p>\n
In recent months Walker has discussed ways for the state to collaborate with industry on the Slope to develop shared infrastructure as a way to drive down the cost of developing green field projects. He has used the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority\u2019s direct investment in the processing facility at Brooks Range Petroleum\u2019s small Mustang oil field on the North Slope as a concept the state could expand elsewhere.<\/p>\n
Hendrix\u2019s salary will be $185,000, according to Walker\u2019s spokesman Corey Allen-Young, but it will not add to spending for a government that is in the midst of a hiring freeze and trying to reconcile a daunting budget deficit.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve made room (for Hendrix) without increasing our budget at all,\u201d Walker said.<\/p>\n
While a cabinet change of a different kind, Hendrix is the latest of several new faces in the Walker administration in 2016. Earlier this year former Natural Resources Commissioner Mark Myers announced his retirement. Myers\u2019 interim replacement Marty Rutherford then retired at the end of June, but was also appointed to the Permanent Fund Board of Trustees.<\/p>\n
Former Attorney General Craig Richards resigned abruptly in June as well, citing a need to spend more time with his family. The attorney general position was quickly filled by Jahna Lindemuth, who will officially take the reigns as the state\u2019s top lawyer in August.<\/p>\n
Richards may be coming back to Walker\u2019s administration in another capacity. Spokeswoman Grace Jang has said no contract has been finalized, however. <\/p>\n
Elwood Brehmer is a reporter for Alaska Journal of Commerce. He can be reached at elwood.brehmer@alaskajournal.com.<\/p>\n
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