| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | 15 February 1999 |
| POC: Major Mike Haller / 907-428-6031 |
CAMP DENALI, Alaska --- Governor Tony Knowles announced the appointment of Mr. Dave Liebersbach as Director of the Alaska Division of Emergency Services today.
Brigadier General Phil Oates, Commissioner of the Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, also expressed his faith in Liebersbach’s experience and credentials. "My priorities begin with Emergency Services," Oates declared. "I have every confidence in him and know that he has a great team of people who work well with him in the Division," he added. "His focus is on serving the people of Alaska."
Liebersbach had been acting director since last summer when former director Bob Heavilin left to join a firm in the private sector. Liebersbach was hired for the Chief of Staff position, within the DES, in October of 1996. Immediately prior to that, he’d worked with the Bureau of Land Management at the Arctic District Headquarters in Fairbanks. Most recently, he’d served as incident commander during the Big Lake – Miller’s Reach Fire. He’d also led fire fighting efforts elsewhere in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, California, Oregon and Washington.
He is married to Lora Harbo, of Fairbanks. They have a daughter and a son.
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