Gov. Mike Dunleavy named Emma Pokon the commissioner-designee for the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation on Monday. Pokon was acting commissioner since the beginning of August after Jason Brune quit..
In a press release, Dunleavy stated that Pokon’s leadership is a source of confidence for him.
“She has demonstrated an enormous amount of understanding and prioritises practical solutions that balance ecological protection and economic considerations,” he said.
Pokon was employed by the State’s Department of Law, most recently as the deputy attorney general for the Department of Environmental Conservation, prior to joining DEC in 2020. The North Slope Borough’s deputy attorney, and was an attorney for the Fairbanks Superior Court.
She graduated with a master’s in law on environmental issues as well as an law certificate at Vermont Law and Graduate School.
“In my four-plus years at DEC I’ve seen the importance of DEC’s services for our residents and state,” Pokon said in the press release. “I’m delighted to continue working alongside the many dedicated public servants of DEC to ensure health and well-being of Alaskans.”
The Alaska Legislature will decide to confirm Pokon during its next session.
