Mayor LaFrance Announces Mayor's Office Team

Barbara Jones, Deputy Chief of Staff

Barbara Jones is the former Municipal Clerk of the Municipality of Anchorage and brings 24 years of municipal government experience to the role. She received her bachelor’s in business administration and JD from the University of Denver. In her role as Deputy Chief of Staff, Barbara will support the Mayor and Chief of Staff, help direct the Mayor’s Office team, and ensure effective internal coordination with departments.

Nolan Klouda, Policy Director​

Nolan comes to the Municipality from the University of Alaska Center for Economic Development, which he has directed for 10 years. During that time, he founded the state’s only university-based startup accelerator and led the creation and execution of multiple statewide economic development strategic plans. He will help direct a team of Mayor’s Office staff in implementing key priorities of the administration.

Farina Brown, Special Assistant, Homelessness and Health

Farina joins the Mayor’s Office from the Rasmuson Foundation, where she is a Program Officer overseeing the foundation’s homelessness initiatives. She previously served as the Deputy Director of the State of Alaska’s Division of Behavioral Health. In her role in the Mayor’s Office, Farina will work to advance key administration priorities to address homelessness and promote community health and safety.

Graham Downey, Special Assistant, Housing and Transportation

Graham joins the Mayor’s Office from the Alaska Public Interest Research Group, where he led policy work focused on housing, debt, and other economic issues that impact working families. Graham received a JD from Yale Law School and will work to advance key administration priorities related to housing, transportation, and community development.

Marie Husa, Constituent Relations Director

Marie joins the team from Bering Straits Native Corporation and previously served for six years as an investigator for the Anchorage Equal Rights Commission. She brings a depth of community engagement experience to the position and will work to ensure Anchorage residents of all backgrounds have a direct line of communication with the Mayor’s Office.

Amanda K. Moser, External Affairs Director

As External Affairs Director, Amanda will focus on ensuring effective communications and building strong partnerships out of the Mayor’s Office. Amanda brings deep experience to the role. Her previous roles include executive director of the Anchorage Downtown Partnership, Ltd., former Communications Director for Governor Bill Walker, and Deputy Municipal Clerk for the Municipality of Anchorage.