WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced two additions to the Republican staff of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Michael Pawlowski, a lifelong Alaskan, will focus on energy and natural resources issues of importance to Alaska and the West, and Colin Hayes, who is returning to the committee as deputy staff director.

“Mike and Colin are valuable additions to my committee staff,” Murkowski said. “I am excited to have both of them on board as we move toward a new Congress.”

Pawlowski joins the energy committee staff after most recently serving as Alaska’s deputy commissioner of revenue. In that capacity, he helped reform the state’s oil and gas tax system and was one of the commercial leads for the state’s participation in the Alaska LNG project. A graduate of Alaska Pacific University, he previously served as a board member for both the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority and Alaska Energy Authority. Pawlowski has also worked for the Alaska Permanent Capital Management Company, the Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority, and the Alaska State Legislature.

“Mike has extensive expertise on our state’s oil and gas issues,” Murkowski said. “I can think of no one better than a lifelong Alaskan with considerable policy experience to add to our team as we make the case for greater access to our federal lands and waters.” 

Hayes was the senior adviser to Murkowski on the energy committee staff from 2009 through 2013. He has distinct experience on a variety of issues under the committee’s jurisdiction, especially those related to energy and mining. Hayes played a key staff role on multiple bills that became law, including the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Helium Stewardship Act of 2013. He is a graduate of Hobart College and most recently earned an MBA from George Mason University. 

“I quickly came to value Colin's significant knowledge of energy policy when he previously served as a trusted member of my professional staff,” Murkowski said. “We are lucky to be getting him back, and I look forward to working with him once again.”

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