Alaska DOT commissioner Luiken submits resignation

Mark Luiken. (Photo courtesy of Ed Schoenfeld)

The commissioner of the Alaska Department of Transportation is resigning.

Marc Luiken submitted his resignation in a letter dated Wednesday to Gov. Sean Parnell.

Luiken did not specify a reason for his resignation, which is effective Oct. 1. He was traveling Thursday and didn’t immediately return a message.

He noted in the letter that his personal commitment “has been to loyally serve and support” Parnell as a friend and governor.

But Luiken notes that they always didn’t agree on the methods.

Parnell’s spokeswoman, Sharon Leighow, did not respond when asked in an email if the governor sought Luiken’s resignation. However, she said Luiken is a “hard-working man of integrity and we wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Parnell nominated Luiken to the commissioner’s post in November 2010.

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