Jomo Stewart named first employee of the Interior Gas Utility

Fairbanks, AK – The Interior Gas Utility Board of Directors unanimously voted Tuesday to hire Jomo Stewart as the first General Manager of the utility. Stewart’s duties will officially begin on April 18, 2016.

“The board of directors is excited to welcome Mr. Stewart as the first employee of the IGU,” said Mike Meeks, Chair of the IGU Board of Directors. “His wealth of local experience, extensive knowledge and passion for an energy solution has been an asset to the community and IGU since our inception. We are eager to bring his leadership to IGU for the next phase of development in energy relief for Interior Alaskans.”

The IGU gained the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity on December 20, 2013, formally granting the utility a service area by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska. Stewart was instrumental in the CPCN award, and with the formulation and advancement of the Interior Energy Project through his position as the Energy, Military and Mining manager at the Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation. Stewart joins the IGU after five years with FEDCO.

Stewart served as Chief of Staff to Representatives Hayes and Guttenberg of Fairbanks (2001-2004), co-committee aide to the Alaska State Senate Education Committee under Senator Kevin Meyer (2010) and as Committee Aide to the House Fisheries Committee under Representative Steve Thompson (2011). From 2005-2007, Stewart served as the Communications Director for the Alaska Gasline Port Authority, and was a member of the FNSB Platting Commission from 2006-2008. He is a graduate of the University of Alaska, Fairbanks with a degree in Political Science.

IGU followed a public process to advertise, recruit, interview and hire Stewart, who was the top choice among two finalists.

###