The governor's office announced that Alaska's Governor Parnell has appointed Joe Balash as commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources. Balash has been the acting commisioner of the DNR since former commissioner Dan Sullivan stepped down in September to pursue a seat in the U.S. Senate in the 2014 Senate race.

Balash, prior to being tapped as acting commissioner held a deputy commissioner slot in that department. In that position as Deputy Commissioner, Balash was charged with the day-to-day management and supervision of the State of Alaska’s land management agency, with an annual budget of $170 million and 1,100 employees. He was responsible for the direct oversight of the Division of Oil and Gas, Division of Geologic and Geophysical Surveys, the Mental Health Trust Land Office, the State Pipeline Coordinator’s Office, the Gas Pipeline Project Office, and formerly, the Division of Coastal and Ocean Management. As deputy commissioner, Balash was instrumental in the passage of the More Alaska Production Act.

Prior to that, Balash served in the Office of the Governor as special assistant to the Governor for energy and natural resource development issues from December 2006 until December 2010. Balash has served the State of Alaska and the Alaska Legislature as staff since 1998.

“Joe is a great addition to my cabinet,” Governor Parnell said. “He has outstanding credentials with a solid understanding of the Department of Natural Resources, public policy, and issues that influence resource development in our state.”