Dr. Tamika L. Ledbetter serves as the commissioner of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Under her leadership, the department serves to provide safe and legal working conditions and advance opportunities for employment. Dr. Ledbetter held several key positions with the department prior to becoming commissioner. She began her career with the State of Alaska in 2007 as a career development specialist. After two years, she left to become manager of the Mat-Su Job Center, a role she held for eight years. Most recently, she served as regional manager for the Anchorage/Mat-Su Economic Region. Her background as a community leader, dynamic public speaker, and human performance improvement consultant have complemented her experience as a workforce development professional for more than 12 years.

As a United States Air Force veteran, Dr. Ledbetter served during Operation Iraqi Freedom. After she and her family transferred to Elmendorf Air Force Base in 2003, they decided to make Wasilla their home. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History/Political Science, a Master of Arts in Education/Adult Education and Training, and a Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership. Dr. Ledbetter serves on several nonprofit boards and community organizations, and she is also a member of two academic research organizations. She and her husband Fred are most proud of their children: their 13-year-old daughter and two sons who are active duty in the United States Marine Corps.

Cathy LeCompte started her career in post-secondary education over twenty years ago as a faculty member on the University of Alaska Southeast Ketchikan campus. She served as the Campus Director in Ketchikan and then Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the University of Alaska Anchorage Community and Technical College. She is currently the Director at the Alaska Vocational Technical Center.

She is an experienced and skilled post-secondary leader and online instructor; and has been an online faculty since 2000, teaching undergraduate business and graduate leadership and higher education courses in the UAS School of Business and Public Administration.

With two children aged 8 and 10 and two jobs, she became one of many non-traditional college students at the local community college where she earned several credentials of value including a certificate in accounting and small business administration, an AAS in Small Business Management and an AA in general studies. She attended a commuter college and earned BS in Business Administration and an Executive Masters of Not for Profit Leadership.

Prior careers include small business owner, nonprofit executive and fund development professional, a health club manager personal training, and certified yoga and aerobics instructor, and café manager and barista. She is an Alaskan gardener, avid traveler and proud Grammy.

Dr. Michael Johnson began his service as Commissioner on July 1, 2016.

Commissioner Johnson served in the Copper River School District as superintendent, school principal, district curriculum and staff development director, elementary teacher, and special education program assistant. During his tenure as its principal, Glennallen Elementary School was named a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. Dr. Johnson also is a recipient of the prestigious Milken Educator Award.

Commissioner Johnson holds certification in Alaska as a teacher and administrator. He holds a bachelor of arts degree and a master of arts in teaching degree in elementary education from Columbia International University, and a doctorate of philosophy in education and intercultural studies from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Sana Efird joined the Commission in December 2020 as Executive Director, Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education / Executive Officer, Alaska Student Loan Corporation.

Prior to her appointment she served as Assistant Commissioner for the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) during three different administrations, currently overseeing a $3.3 billion budget and administrative and operational functions of DHSS including Budget, Fiscal/Revenue, Audit, Human Resources, Facilities/Leasing, Grants and Contracts, and Information Technology. She has also served as Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Education and Early Development focusing on Alaska’s Education Challenge to ensure every student across the state has equitable opportunity to learn and succeed. Her credentials include a Master of Arts from Saint Mary’s University and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of South Carolina. Additionally, Sana has been a classroom teacher, teacher trainer, reading specialist, and executive director of a college foundation supporting financial scholarships and loans to help students achieve their educational goals.

She and her husband live and work in Juneau and enjoy all the outdoor activities Juneau has to offer, especially hiking and backpacking with friends.