Golden Valley names new manager

FAIRBANKS (AP) -- Longtime Golden Valley Electric Association employee Steve Haagenson has taken the reins of the Interior's power cooperative.

The Golden Valley board unanimously selected Haagenson as president and CEO last week. He has been acting head of the utility since George Kitchens left in January.

GVEA Board Chairman Rick Schikora said Haagenson had been one of the top candidates when the board last conducted a nationwide search for its top job after Mike Kelly retired in 1999.

''Since he assumed the role of acting president and CEO earlier this year, we have been pleased with his exceptional performance and we are confident in his ability to continue to lead GVEA in the future,'' Schikora said.

Haagenson has been a manager at the co-op for 13 years. He started working at Golden Valley in 1975 as an engineering aide.