DEBORAH WILLIAMS / Executive Director

Deborah has been actively involved in Alaskan issues for over 30 years, and has enthusiastically worked for the election of numerous outstanding Alaskan Democrats. She believes that nothing is more important to our state and our nation than who we elect, and wants to help return Alaska to its strong and significant Democratic Party roots.

After serving in the Department of Interior's Solicitors Honors Program in Washington D.C., Ms. Williams represented the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Alaska. Between 1981 and 1994, Ms. Williams practiced law and was also the Executive Director of the Alaska Consumer Advocacy Program and of the Alaska Lung Association, while serving on many boards and commissions, including the Municipal Health Commission.

In 1994, Ms. Williams received a Presidential appointment, and became the Special Assistant to the Secretary of Interior for Alaska, in which position she advised the Secretary about managing over 220 million acres of national lands in Alaska and working with Alaska tribes and others associated with the Department's broad natural and cultural resource jurisdiction. She also was a Trustee on the Exxon Valdez Trustee Council and other boards. For over six years, Ms. Williams served as the Executive Director of the Alaska Conservation Foundation, winning many awards in that role, and then she founded Alaska Conservation Solutions, a business devoted to advancing renewable energy, energy efficiency, and other solutions to climate change.

Ms. Williams has published numerous articles, has been featured repeatedly in the media (including 60 Minutes, the New York Times and BBC), and has taught graduate level courses at both the University of Alaska and Alaska Pacific University. She received her B.A. from Pomona College, summa cum laude, with a concentration in Biology and Economics. Subsequently she was graduated from Harvard Law School, with honors. She greatly enjoys reading, backpacking, fishing, skiing, gardening, building, traveling and electing Democrats.

dwilliams@alaskademocrats.org

Leonard Lawson  / Technology Director

Leonard came from the Vermont Democratic Party and had worked in Alaska during the 2008 campaign season as the Deputy Director of Technology.

llawson@alaskademocrats.org

KEVIN HARUN / Communications Director

Kevin came to Fairbanks, Alaska 36 years ago where he was elected during the pipeline years to two terms on the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly. He served as Assistant Ombudsman for the State of Alaska and Youth Corrections Specialist for the state Department of Health and Social Services. Kevin also organized a subsidiary for Carr-Gottstein Inc. to manufacture neon signs. He is a veteran campaign manager for numerous municipal, legislative and statewide campaigns. In 1998, Kevin organized the statewide Billboard Initiative to safeguard Alaska's scenery which won the support of 72% of Alaskans. He served as former Mayor Mark Begich's Renewable Resources Manager and as Political Director for the Alaskans for Begich U.S. Senate campaign.

kharun@alaskademocrats.org

KALEN SAXTON / Development Coordinator

Kalen registered as a Democrat when Jack Kennedy was President. She moved to Alaska 45 years ago and has been working to get democrats elected since then. She is currently President of the Anchorage Democrats, the regional organization for 16 Districts. She has been a district officer for several districts and was on the Central Committee for eight years.

An Early Childhood Educator for 40+ years, with a Masters degree, she has pushed for legislation on Health, Nutrition, the Care and Education of preschool children, professional development for the people who care for and educate young children and parent education. She has been a small business owner, taught at UAA for eight years and provided training in all regions of Alaska.

In 2008 she was recognized by Anchorage Democrats as Volunteer of the Year for recruiting a hot shot team of volunteers to staff the ADP office M-F 9-5 during that busy election cycle.

ksaxton@alaskademocrats.org