Two new staff have filled the vacant Community Education Director and Tourism director positions this week.

The borough offered Steven Auch the tourism director position. He was one of five locals who applied for the position that was left vacant after former director Carolann Wooton moved to a different position in borough administration.

Auch spent several years working for Alaska Mountain Guides. He worked in retail management, and ran his own consulting and information technology business for tour operators and retailers in Haines, Skagway, Seattle and Sacramento.

“The reason I left Alaska Mountain guides and started my business was because I wanted to apply my talents to help more businesses in the area,” Auch said. “I have a lot of friends who are owners and operators of businesses. I found that this position will allow me to apply those skills to help everybody without having to directly go out and acquire them as a client.”

His hire comes on the heels of Holland America’s announcement that it will divert two of its large vessels to Skagway during next year’s summer season, which would result in roughly 30,000 fewer passengers visiting town.

Ashley Pugh, who received a degree in leisure, youth and human services from Iowa University, was hired as the Haines Borough School District’s community education director. Pugh has worked as a guide and ski patroller since graduating from college in 2016. She said she’s excited to work in her chosen field.

Her job responsibilities include organizing classes and events at the school facility for the community. To aid in that effort, she created a survey open to the public that can be found via the community education tab on the school district’s website, hbsd.net.

“I really want to do a skijoring class,” Pugh said. “Everybody has a dog in town. That’s really something I want to try.”

The gym is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. for volleyball and the same time on Tuesday and Thursday for basketball.

“I’m open to new ideas or suggestions,” Pugh said of future class opportunities. “Call me at the office. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself so I know who you are.”

Her number is 766-6727.

The position has been vacant since August when former director Earleen Lloyd resigned.

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