Alaska Transportation Department has two new deputy commissioners

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities has two new deputy commissioners, the department said last week, when Commissioner Marc Luiken appointed Steven Hatter and Mike Neussl.

Each man has experience as a deputy commissioner with the department. Hatter served as deputy commissioner of aviation from 2011 to 2014, and Neussl served as deputy commissioner for marine operations between 2011 and 2012.

Hatter spent 26 years in the U.S. Air Force before retiring with the rank of colonel; he previously has worked with RLG International Consulting, ConocoPhillips and CH2M HILL. He has master’s degrees in international relations and national security policy, and project management.

Neussl served 30 years in the U.S. Coast Guard and retired with more than 5,100 helicopter flight hours; he was a finalist for the NASA Space Shuttle Mission specialist position in 1998. He has a master’s degree in engineering, with an aeronautics focus.

“Mike and Steve are proven leaders who possess a wealth of knowledge and experience dealing with Alaska’s vast and complex transportation system," Luiken said. “It is an honor to have them rejoin my team.”

Hatter is expected to rejoin the agency in mid-February, while Neussl rejoined the agency on Feb. 2.