Curtis W. Thayer
Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director

Curtis W. Thayer is CEO and executive director of the Alaska Energy Authority, a public corporation of the state and Alaska’s energy office and lead agency for energy policy and program development. Thayer is the longest serving executive director in AEA’s 50-year history.

In his role, Thayer oversees approximately $1.7 billion in AEA-owned assets and leads a portfolio of energy programs, infrastructure investments, and capital projects across Alaska. He provides oversight for nearly $1 billion in major energy infrastructure investments currently under development and works with utilities, government leaders, industry stakeholders, and Alaska communities to advance energy priorities statewide. AEA's responsibilities include electric transmission and generation projects, rural power system upgrades, bulk fuel infrastructure, energy planning, administration of the Power Cost Equalization program, and management of competitive grant and loan programs that support energy development across Alaska.

Previously, Thayer served as president and chief executive officer of the Alaska Chamber.

He also served in Gov. Sean Parnell's cabinet as commissioner of administration and as deputy commissioner of the Alaska Department of Revenue. Earlier in his career, he held roles with Alaska’s congressional delegation, ENSTAR Natural Gas Company, and the Alaska Gas Producers Pipeline Team.

Thayer has served on numerous boards and commissions. He currently chairs Alaska's Board of Marine Pilots and serves on the National Association of State Energy Officials Board of Directors as one of two Western Region representatives.

Thayer is a graduate of the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory Executive Energy Leadership Academy and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.