Thor Stacey named new NFIB director for Alaska

The National Federation of Independent Business announced that it named lobbyist and Alaska hunting guide Thor Stacey as the new director of the Alaska division of the small business alliance.

Stacey replaces Denny DeWitt, who retired recently, after serving as director for many years.

NFIB is the nonprofit trade group that fiercely defends the interests of small business owners. The group was the plaintiff in the lawsuit against the Obama Administration in opposing Obamacare, a case that was lost at the U.S. Supreme Court.

Stacey said that as a hunting guide, he ran his own business and is excited to now represent the group that guards the interests of “Main Street” small business owners.

“We wanted someone who would make for a seamless transition from the superb small-business advocacy work Denny DeWitt did for us for past 12 years, and we are delighted to have found the perfect candidate and honored Thor Stacey has agreed to come on board,” said Gary Selvy, NFIB’s executive director of state governmental relations. “His experience and talents are perfectly suited to meet the challenges ahead. We wish Denny the best in his well-deserved retirement and look forward to working with Thor.”

Stacey will be joined by Stacy Jenkins, NFIB senior grassroots manager, who will be working to engage small-business owners throughout Alaska .

For the past six years, Thor Stacey has been the director of government affairs for the Alaska Professional Hunters Association and has also led legislative initiatives for Trident Seafoods, Alaska Air Carriers Association, Alaska Wild Sheep Foundation, and IPOP Mining.

A lifelong Alaskan, Stacey served in the U.S. Marine Corps under Alaska U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan. A graduate of Dimond High School in Anchorage, he attended the University of Alaska Southeast to study political science and government, and studied aviation maintenance at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Stacey’s role for NFIB is mainly as a lobbyist to track, report on, and advocate for legislation, but he will also be a subject expert for the interests of small businesses.