WASHINGTON — The following was released by Congressman Don Young (R-AK):
Alaskan Congressman Don Young today announced the following staff changes to his Washington, D.C. staff, which includes the addition of 20-year House Natural Resources Committee staffer Bonnie Bruce and U.S. Army combat veteran Jakob Johnsen of Alaska.
Bonnie Bruce arrives to Congressman Young’s office after two decades on the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans, and Insular Affairs as a Professional Legislative staff member. Originally hired in 1995 by then Chairman Don Young, Bonnie has worked to develop and implement legislative policy in the areas of fisheries, marine mammals, wildlife, and insular affairs. Bonnie will pick up portfolios relating to foreign affairs, telecom and trade, while continuing her work on wildlife and fisheries related activities, including the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, which will be introduced by Congressman Young and passed by the House this year.
Jakob Johnsen, who currently serves as a Special Assistant to the Commissioner and Legislative Liaison for the Alaska Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, is a lifelong Alaskan and former Army Officer. In his current capacity, Johnsen has worked broadly on many issues affecting Alaska’s military and homeland security presence, including force structuring, funding, and veteran affairs. A 2009 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and combat veteran of the Iraq war, Johnsen served his country as an Army Platoon Leader and Strategic Planner. Johnsen, who will begin in Congressman Young’s office in mid-March, will focus on policy relating to military and veteran affairs, in addition to handling homeland security, immigration, and banking issues.
“Bonnie and Jakob are both great additions to my legislative team. In addition to the expertise and understanding they bring to my office, they both have an eagerness and enthusiasm to take on new challenges on behalf of the Alaskan people,” said Congressman Young. “Bonnie’s institutional knowledge on natural resources policy will be invaluable as we continue working to move the Magnuson-Stevens Act reauthorization forward for Alaska’s fishing industry.”
“With more than 22,000 Active Duty military and 73,000 veterans calling Alaska home, it’s critically important to have an experienced and knowledgeable staff member advising me on the many policies affecting our military,” said Congressman Young. “Jakob brings a rare set of skills to the table and I am confident he will hit the ground running as he begins serving the Alaskan people in the halls of Congress.”
The additions to Congressman Young’s office come following the departure of two longtime policy advisors, Erik Elam and Jason Suslavich, who recently joined the office of Senator Dan Sullivan as EPW Subcommittee Staff Director and Legislative Assistant for Armed Services and Veteran Affairs, respectively.
“It’s never easy seeing members of my legislative team leave, but I’m happy to share their talent and wealth of Alaskan knowledge with Senator Sullivan,” Congressman Young said. “These two men advised me on a wide range of issues and will be valuable additions to Senator Sullivan’s team as he begins building out his office and tackling the many issues concerning Alaskans.”