The CEO of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, a major landowner in the state, has announced his resignation effective July 5. Steve Williams, who has held various roles within the organization since 2005 and has been CEO for the past two years, will step down from his position. The trust was created by the state to manage land revenue for the benefit of Alaskans with mental illness, and the authority acts as a public corporation that oversees the trust. Its extensive land holdings have made it a significant player in Alaska’s mining and logging industries.
The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority was originally established in 1994 as part of a legal settlement that accused the state of mismanaging a previous mental health trust. In recent years, the trust has grown significantly, with 1 million acres of land and $200 million in annual investments. These investments have annually supported the state’s standalone mental health budget, which is one of three budgets that the Alaska Legislature drafts each year.
Allison Biastock, who serves as communications director at the trust, will act as interim CEO while the board conducts a nationwide search for a permanent replacement. During a special meeting where he announced his resignation, Williams expressed gratitude for his time working with trust beneficiaries, staff, trustees, and other partners over nearly two-thirds of the trust’s existence. Although he did not provide a reason for resigning, Williams mentioned that he plans to prioritize spending more time with his family while continuing to make positive impacts for Alaska.
