Legislature hires former Walker budget director Pitney as new head of Legislative Finance

The Legislative Budget and Audit Committee announced today that it has hired Pat Pitney, former Gov. Bill Walker’s budget director, as the new head of the nonpartisan Legislative Finance Division.

Pitney replaces longtime and well-liked Director David Teal as the Legislature’s chief budget analyst. Teal retired last month and had served in the position since 1997. Pitney’s first day will be Monday, Jan. 27.

“Pat Pitney will be able to step into the position and immediately take over for David Teal because she knows the budget process, she knows how the Legislature works, and she has the temperament and demeanor to work with people to solve problems,” said LBNA Chair Rep. Chris Tuck in a prepared statement. “I’m incredibly excited to welcome Pat to the legislative team and look forward to working with her for many years to come.”

Pitney served for the entirety of Walker’s term, where she worked in developing the budget and shepherding it through the legislative process. She was well-regarded both inside and outside the capitol building as a straightforward budgeter.

Unlike Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s now-departed budget director, Donna Arduin, Pitney has also close ties to Alaska.

She previously served in the administration of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where she received an MBA. In her collegiate days, Pitney took home an Olympic gold medal for women’s air rifle and later volunteered as an assistant coach with the UAF air rifle team (which recently drubbed your editors’ alma mater).