The former head of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation died Thursday.
Acting Executive Director, Valerie Mertz told Channel 2 News that Burns had retired from his position as Executive Director June 1, citing health concerns. “It’s a sad, sad day here today,” Mertz said. “He was our leader and our friend and was always calm and patient in difficult investment times.”
Burns joined APFC in 2004 and worked with the organization for just over 11 years before retirement. “During his time, he took the Alaska Permanent Fund from $26 billion in 2004 to $54 billion this year – he pretty much doubled it,” Mertz said.
Gov. Bill Walker put out a press release Thursday, offering his condolences to the Burns family. “Mike led the Corporation to achieve unprecedented growth during a time of great economic difficultly,” Walker said in the press release. “Donna and I are praying for the entire Burns family, and anyone who had the great pleasure of calling Mike a friend.”
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