Commission Members

Anne Helzer - Chair

Anne Helzer was appointed to the Alaska Public Offices Commission in 2017 by Governor Walker. Later that year, she was elected Chair of the Commission.

Anne Helzer holds a Bachelor’s degree in Literature; a Master’s degree in Education, and a Juris Doctorate in Law. She is licensed to practice law in both Alaska (2009) and New York (2004) and has assisted hundreds of Alaskans across the state as an attorney since 2009.

Anne Helzer is President of the Anchorage Bar Association. She is a former committee member of the Probate and Estates Section of the Alaska Bar Association and a graduate of the Anchorage Police Citizen's Academy (2013).

Ms. Helzer is a certified Mediator for the Alaska Court System, and a participating attorney in the United States District Court Prisoner Civil Rights Pro-Bono Project. She has been admitted to practice law in the United States Federal District Court in Alaska since 2017.

Anne Helzer is the devoted mother of five young children, and a volunteer for a number of local nonprofit organizations including the Anchorage Bar Association, the Boy Scouts of America, Hilltop Ski Area and the Anchorage Concert Association / Anchorage Concert Chorus.

As Chair, Anne Helzer is committed to fairness and impartiality in the electoral and judicial process. As an attorney, she advocates for the protection of individual liberties for all Alaskans regardless of age, race, religion, or party status/affiliation.

Van Lawrence

Van Lawrence was born and raised in Texas along with three brothers. He holds a B.S. in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a J.D. from the College of William & Mary. Since settling in Fairbanks forty-one years ago, Van has been a small business owner, father, and husband. He has contributed to the Fairbanks community by serving two terms on the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly, most recently as deputy presiding officer, and on multiple commissions (FMATS, Road Service, Economic Development, and Recycling), the Pioneer Home Foundation board of directors, and helped organize the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program. Lawrence has a long career with Kiwanis, holding every officer position.

Richard (Rick) Stillie Jr.

Richard (Rick) Stillie is a 15-year resident of Delta Junction. He lives there with his wife of 23 years, Monica, and two of their four children. He moved to Alaska from northern Minnesota in 2004 when he took a position at Fort Greely with a contractor as a logistics specialist on the missile defense program. Currently, he is the logistics manager for the base operations support contract at Fort Greely. In 2007, he earned a Master of Business Administration degree from American Intercontinental University; he completed a Supply Chain Management graduate certification from UAA in 2009.

Rick has been an active volunteer in his community. He is currently secretary of the Delta Sportsman’s Association, is involved with Boy Scouts Troop 56, and various church youth activities. He enjoys spending time working on the family farm and honing his skills as a master gardener along with many other outdoor activities.

Suzanne Hancock

Ms. Suzanne Hancock was appointed to the Public Member seat of the Alaska Public Offices Commission effective March 1, 2019. Ms. Hancock has a master’s in library science, and she moved to Alaska originally to become a librarian. After her time as a librarian, Ms. Hancock spent time as a Federal Bankruptcy Trustee, legal secretary, reporter, realtor, corrections officer, campaign manager, legislative aide, and chief of staff. In addition to her careers, she has served on the Kodiak Island School Board and Borough Assembly. She is currently living out her retirement in Anchorage.

Dan LaSota

Dan LaSota was appointed to the Commission in 2020. He has lived in Fairbanks since 1987 with his wife. He served on the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly from 1993-1999. Dan works at the University of Alaska Fairbanks as an instructional designer, received an M.Ed. in Online Instructional Design in 2015 and is an avid viola student.