LaFrance names 12 to Anchorage boards and asks the Assembly to confirm them Nov. 4

Mayor Suzanne LaFrance has named 12 people to seven Anchorage boards and commissions, and the Assembly is scheduled to vote on confirming them Wednesday, Nov. 4.

One new appointee would join the Commission on Salaries and Emoluments, which sets the mayor's pay. This summer, the commission took up a 26% raise for whoever wins the 2027 mayor's race.

John Gregoire Jr., owner and CEO of the Anchorage consulting firm Professional Growth Systems, would take the commission's business executive seat. In his resume, he wrote that his consulting work includes guiding organizations through restructuring, including compensation evaluations. LaFrance also reappointed Karen Norsworthy to the commission's public administration seat, and the Assembly is asked to confirm her Nov. 4 as well. Her attendance record shows she attended 20 of 22 meetings.

Linda Johnson, a retired lawyer, would join the Anchorage Equal Rights Commission. She worked as an assistant municipal attorney until April, and earlier as deputy and interim municipal attorney, and she has practiced before the commission. She also managed her family's commercial set-net beach in Kenai every summer through 1989.

Three newcomers would join the Municipal Health and Human Services Commission. Madison Eckert is a nurse who has worked at Providence Alaska Medical Center and at Maniilaq Health Center in Kotzebue, and she is legislative chair of the Alaska Nurses Association. Christal Hays is the Medicaid State Plan coordinator at the state Department of Health. Sheri Cherrier is senior manager of surgical services at Providence.

Six other appointees are incumbents whose terms expired Oct. 14. They would serve new terms ending in 2029.

Tim Charnon would keep the Heritage Land Bank Advisory Commission's Girdwood seat, which must be held by a Girdwood resident. He was district ranger for the Chugach National Forest's Glacier Ranger District from 2010 to 2022 and has been a DJ at Girdwood's KEUL community radio since 2004. Heritage Land Bank staff highly recommend a second term.

Samantha Simpson, an environmental and regulatory director at ASRC Consulting & Environmental Services, would return to the Watershed and Natural Resources Advisory Commission. Her attendance record shows the commission has held nine meetings since she joined in April 2024 and canceled 18.

James McCollum, an Anchorage real estate lawyer since 1977, would return to the Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility board, where he has served since 2018. Keri Nutter, Brian O'Dowd and Steven Halcomb would continue on the Geotechnical Advisory Commission.

Correction, Nov. 14, 2026: Madison Eckert's surname has been corrected. This story also incorporates Karen Norsworthy's reappointment from an additional memorandum, bringing the total to 12.