Afognak Native Corp. Exec Hired Away by Governor

Jay Barrett/KMXT

Alaska Governor Bill Walker Tuesday appointed a man with close Kodiak connections to be senior advisor on rural business and intergovernmental affairs. Walker appointed Gerad Godfrey at an Alaska Federation of Natives retreat in Kotzebue. 

The position is cabinet-level, and Walker said Godfrey’s experience will help strengthen the state’s ties with communities in rural Alaska.

Godfrey has been director of corporate affairs for Afognak Native Corporation, and is enrolled as a member of the Native Village of Port Lions.

For the past 13 years, Godfrey has chaired Alaska’s Violent Crimes Compensation Board, and has held seats on a number of other boards and committees, including the Alaska Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Alaska Native Village CEO Association’s Legislative Committee, and the Alaska Federation of Natives Media & Election Committee.