From Elizabeth Bluemink --

The Parnell administration has appointed two longtime state employees, Joe Balash and Ed Fogels, as deputy commissioners for the Alaska Department of Natural Resources.

Balash will replace former deputy commissioner Marty Rutherford, who resigned following the Nov. 2 general election. He will be working on oil and gas issues under DNR's incoming commissioner, Dan Sullivan. Sullivan, leaving his post as the state attorney general, will take charge of DNR on Monday.

Fogels will replace Dick LeFebvre, who retired months ago. This deputy post involves overseeing mining and other usage of state land and water resources.

It’s not clear yet if Balash will take over Rutherford’s role of running the state’s North Slope natural gas pipeline project team.

Balash works in the governor's office on energy and resource development and is a member of the state gas pipeline team. In the past, he has worked for state legislative offices. He has a bachelor’s in politics and government from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore.

Fogels has worked for DNR for 24 years and is director of the Office of Project Management and Permitting. He used to coordinate the state's large-mine permitting team and the coal regulatory program. He has a bachelor's degree in environmental sciences from the University of Virginia.