RDC Names Connor Hajdukovich Executive Director Amid 2026 Resource Push

The Resource Development Council for Alaska selected Connor Hajdukovich as its executive director on January 7, 2026, concluding a comprehensive board search and formalizing a leadership role he has held on an interim basis since October. RDC is a statewide nonprofit trade association whose membership spans oil and gas, mining, tourism, forestry and fisheries; the organization plays a central role in industry advocacy and state-level economic planning.

Hajdukovich arrives at the helm with a background in policy and legislative initiatives, including experience working on Capitol Hill. Those credentials align with the council’s dual functions of representing industry interests before state and federal policymakers and helping coordinate stakeholder engagement around large-scale development projects. Board leaders conducted a formal process to move from interim stewardship to a permanent appointment, signaling continuity in advocacy as Alaska anticipates increased activity in resource sectors in 2026.

For North Slope Borough residents, the appointment matters because RDC’s priorities and advocacy strategy influence the pace and shape of projects concentrated in the region. The borough’s economy is closely tied to oil and gas activity, and RDC’s membership includes major regional stakeholders. With state leaders forecasting more development and economic opportunities this year, a steadier, nationally experienced voice leading RDC could affect permitting timelines, workforce recruitment, local contracting opportunities and the coordination of infrastructure investments that underpin long-cycle projects.

Market implications extend beyond immediate hiring. Stronger industry advocacy can pressure regulatory and fiscal frameworks—shaping tax, royalty and permitting discussions at the state level that ultimately determine project economics. A director with legislative and Capitol Hill experience may prioritize engagement with federal agencies and congressional offices as well as state lawmakers; that orientation matters for projects needing federal approvals or coordination across jurisdictions.

Longer-term trends in Alaska’s resource economy remain tied to commodity cycles, capital availability and regulatory clarity. RDC’s leadership choice suggests members value experience in policy navigation as a complement to technical and commercial work. For local leaders and businesses in North Slope Borough, the near-term task will be translating anticipated statewide momentum into concrete local benefits: job postings, contracting notices, community engagement plans and infrastructure commitments. Residents and municipal planners should monitor RDC communications and state economic announcements in the coming months to track how advocacy and policy shifts translate into project starts and local economic activity.