Questions And Answers With Bob Poe

Bob Poe, an early bird candidate for Governor of Alaska, took a moment from his busy schedule to answer a list of questions I had for him. Since it’s still too soon to start raising campaign money, Bob Poe has been doing all of his campaigning out of his own pocket. If you follow him on Twitter, you’ll get a glimpse of just how much this guy is moving around. Lately, he’s been doing Friday mornings on KUDO1080 with Cary Carrigan. Because of this, I’m extremely grateful that he took the time to answer my questions. Many would have tossed it after reading the first one.

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Question
1.) I see your last name is Poe, is it safe to assume that you are directly related to Edgar Allan Poe, and that if you were elected Governor of Alaska, we could expect official state press releases to be written with the same sort of dark intrigue and mystery as the late Poe was known for? Currently, the press releases are quite bland and only attack bloggers, the “gotcha” media, and Dan Fagan.

Bob Poe:
So said my Grandfather Dr. Earl Poe; he was the keeper of the family tree. He even had ivy from Edgar Alan Poe’s Baltimore home growing on his home in St. Louis.

While I have been working hard in recent years to improve my writing, it is doubtful that I will ever generate even a pale comparison to Poe, one of America’s greatest writers. This year is the 200th anniversary of his death – no doubt we will see a resurgence of interest in his work. I particularly like The Pit and the Pendulum.

I consider Fagan a friend, asking what periodicals you read is not a gotcha question, and bloggers are the source of most of today’s news leads.

Question:
2.) In one word, describe what you’ll bring to the office of Governor of Alaska.

Bob Poe:
Integrity. If I could add a second it would be Competence.

Question:
3.) What are your feelings on the PERS/TRS debt situation and the effort to repeal the Tier 4 system?

Bob Poe:
As a past Commissioner of Administration I have a lot of familiarity with PRS/TRS. State benefits are an important aspect in attracting highly competent long term state employees. Considering the importance of state government in delivering services to Alaskans, it is important to attract the best people we can.

PRS/TRS debt, as discussed in the last few years, was a result of less than competent actuarial underwriting – a complicated topic by itself. However, today with the drop in market value for both funds the debt is very real regardless of past management errors. In a low revenue year like this one it will be difficult to resolve this problem right away, but it would be my intention as Governor to seek ways to fully fund the retirement system for all its vested members. I would also work to insure the state of Alaska can attract highly qualified employees in the future.

I have a strong record of negotiating tough but fair labor contracts. In a single year (2001), while negotiating all state labor agreements simultaneously, labor unions both filed unfair labor practices against me and made me the Grand Marshall of the Fairbanks Labor Day parade for living up to my commitments to get the agreements fully funded. These agreements brought three years of labor peace.

Question:
4.) Peanut Butter: Creamy or Crunchy?

Bob Poe:
Crunchy, of course.

Question:
5.) Why you?

Bob Poe:
I have a deep love for Alaska and have had since I came here 28 years ago. Coming to Alaska was my dream and is the most important thing I have done in my life.

I am a strong and compassionate leader, an organized and focused manager, with the energy to do the job for 8 years, and I have the humility to serve Alaskans with respect, honesty, intelligence, and understanding.

I realize there is a lot more to Alaska than Anchorage
I have traveled and worked throughout Alaska

I have lived in Southeast Alaska four times

I have friends and business associates in almost every major community in Alaska

I am well qualified to be the Chief Executive Officer for the State of Alaska
Appointed by four Alaska Governors – I have been part of the formation of each of these administrations and understand well how to effectively set up and run state government.

Directly familiar with the day-to-day workings of all state agencies as Commissioner of Administration

Detailed understanding of Alaska’s energy challenges, both urban and rural, from serving as Executive Director of the Alaska Energy Authority.

Solid understanding of the banking and business sectors for the entire state through my role as Executive Director of AIDEA and a President and CEO of the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation.

Managed half of the Departments of Transportation and Environmental Conservation – understand Alaska’s transportation challenges and have an appreciation for doing resource development in a way that is acceptable to most Alaskans

One of two designers of the state accounting system AKSAS.

I understand business and have demonstrated ability to negotiate deals that endure the test of time. I can get us to a gas pipeline.
Led Alaska’s marketing and negotiating teams to attract FedEx and UPS cargo hubs to Alaska.

Helped create the Alaska Heart Institute and the Anchorage Women’s Clinic through key negotiations with top health insurance companies.

Guided local aircraft services company to dominant role at Anchorage International Airport.

Negotiated compromise on Alaska’s Hazardous Substance Release Response Fund (Alaska’s $50.0 million oil spill fund) to assure long term funding by oil industry – compromise has endured for 15 years.

I understand international trade – historically a key to diversifying Alaska’s economy.
Director of International Trade – ran Alaska’s offices in Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

Oversaw the opening of relations between Alaska and Russia.

Mentored for three years in international relations by 5-year US Ambassador to Korea, Richard Walker (contemporary of James Lilly and George Bush I)

I understand Alaska’s Native corporations – a critical element to current and future economic diversification for Alaska
Recently authored 2006 (most recent) economic impact report for the ANCSA Regional Association – an association composed of the top officer of each of the 13 ANCSA Regional Corporations.

Managed 250-person engineering group for ASRC.

For a non-Native, I have a good understanding of Native Alaska
My wife of 13 years is Inupiat, her family is from Barrow and English was her mother’s second language – she has taught me much about the Native experience

I have many Native friends and business associates

Through my role as Executive Director of the Alaska Energy Authority I have traveled to villages all across Alaska.

As a founder of the Village Management Institute I have acted as an instructor to hundreds of tribal administrators, city managers and other village leaders.

I understand senior issues
As Commissioner of Administration I oversaw the Alaska Pioneer Homes and the Division of Senior Services

During my medical consulting practice, I gained an extensive understanding of the medical billing issues that are making it so difficult for Alaska’s seniors on Medicare to retain primary care medical services. I have a strategy that can resolve this for Alaskan elders.

I love the Alaska outdoors including:
Hunting
Fishing
Telemark skiing
X country skate skiing
Ice climbing
Mountaineering
birding
All around adventuring

Question:
6.) Why do you want to serve as Governor?

Bob Poe:
I believe I am the right guy for the job at the right time.

I want to pay back for all that Alaska has given me.

On my deathbed I don’t want to regret not having done what I could to turn this state around and lead it to the future it deserves.

I want to help Alaska fulfill is destiny as a diversified, multigenerational, culture and economy.

Throughout my career I have demonstrated the integrity, honesty and commitment we should demand of our Governor, that we deserve from our Governor.

Question:
7.) Ask me a question.

Bob Poe:
What do you think are the three most important issues facing the Kenai Peninsula?

What do you think are the three most important issues facing Alaskans?

Question:
8.) Tell us anything you might want to add.

Bob Poe:
I think I’ve talked about myself enough. I’d like to hear from you and others on the Peninsula.

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And thus concludes my Questions and Answers with Bob Poe.
The last two I thought were great answers, and I will take the time to respond to Mr. Poe. It’s particularly refreshing to have a candidate who shows genuine interest in his potential constituents.