Jordan Kendall sits with his daughter, Neeka, 10, center, and Isabel Danner, 11, as they taste cookies and Coppa ice cream made with Girl Scout cookies during a Cookie Rally at the Juneau Arts & Culture Center on Friday, Jan. 11, 2019. The rally kicks off the first day of selling cookies for the Girl Scouts. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Jordan Kendall sits with his daughter, Neeka, 10, center, and Isabel Danner, 11, as they taste cookies and Coppa ice cream made with Girl Scout cookies during a Cookie Rally at the Juneau Arts & Culture Center on Friday, Jan. 11, 2019. The rally kicks off the first day of selling cookies for the Girl Scouts. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

New Girl Scouts of Alaska CEO hails from Douglas

The Girls Scouts of Alaska have a new Chief Executive Officer.

The Girls Scouts of Alaska have a new Chief Executive Officer.

Former state commissioner of administration Leslie Ridle will take over the position next month from Sue Perles, according to a press release sent out on Tuesday.

“Today, GSAK is one of the fastest growing Girl Scout councils in the nation and I am confident that Leslie will continue to move this organization forward,” Perles said in a release.

Ridle grew up in Douglas and Anchorage and began her career as a middle school teacher in Eagle River. She went on to work for Gov. Tony Knowles and U.S. Sen. Mark Begich before joining the Alaska Department of Administration.

“I am eager to work with girls, volunteers, and the dedicated staff to help girls in Alaska develop leadership skills, give back to their communities, and have fun while doing so,” Ridle said.

Girl Scouts of Alaska includes approximately 6,000 scouts and 1,000 adult volunteers. There are just over 20 troops in Juneau.

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