 Named Governor's Chief of Staff Replaces Jim Ayers Effective Jan. 5 in Governor's Office Top Job News Release
A 22-year Alaska resident, Ramseur has more than 15 years experience in state government and the Legislature, as a capital correspondent, gubernatorial press secretary, legislative aide, and as Knowles' communications director and deputy chief of staff since he became governor in December 1994. "David has the right combination of management skills, substantial experience, a record of accomplishment and an understanding of public service for this vital position," Knowles said. "I'm confident David can help lead the Knowles-Ulmer administration in its final year as we work with Alaskans to tackle the pressing issues - jobs, safe and healthy children and communities, better education, a subsistence solution and a long-term budget plan." Ramseur, 47, has assumed many management responsibilities as deputy chief of staff for the past seven years, including oversight of public communications, speech writing, assisting in the development of legislative and public policy strategies, and Alaska's relations with foreign governments. As chief of staff, he will assist the governor in managing executive branch state agencies, oversight of the governor's office and relations with other branches of government. Ramseur came to Alaska in 1979 as a reporter and writer for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. Between 1981-85, he reported for the News-Miner on the state capital in Juneau for three years and Congress and federal agencies in Washington, D.C., for two years. He served as press secretary to former Gov. Steve Cowper between 1986-90. He worked as the professional staffer to the state House Tourism and International Trade Committee in 1990-91, chaired by then Fairbanks Rep. Tom Moyer, who now runs Knowles' Fairbanks office. Ramseur spent four months as a volunteer media advisor in Nizhy-Novgorod, Russia, in 1993 and then managed a $2 million federal grant for Alaska-Russia educational and cultural exchanges at the University of Alaska's American Russian Center in 1993-94. Ramseur holds a master's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri and a bachelor's in political science from the University of North Carolina-Asheville. He begins as chief of staff Jan. 5th, and will earn approximately $100,000 annually in his new job.
Note: Digital photo provided with the news release by the Office of the Governor.
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Gov. Tony Knowles yesterday named David Ramseur,
the governor's deputy chief of staff for the past seven years,
as chief of staff, replacing Jim Ayers who steps down effective
on Friday, Jan. 4th.