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.

More in Neighbors

Maj. Gina Halverson is co-leader of The Salvation Army Juneau Corps. (Robert DeBerry/The Salvation Army)
Living and Growing: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

Ever have to say goodbye unexpectedly? A car accident, a drug overdose,… Continue reading

Visitors look at an art exhibit by Eric and Pam Bealer at Alaska Robotics that is on display until Sunday. (Photo courtesy of the Sitka Conservation Society)
Neighbors briefs

Art show fundraiser features works from Alaska Folk Festival The Sitka Conservation… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski meets with Thunder Mountain High School senior Elizabeth Djajalie in March in Washington, D.C., when Djajalie was one of two Alaskans chosen as delegates for the Senate Youth Program. (Photo courtesy U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s office)
Neighbors: Juneau student among four National Honor Society Scholarship Award winners

TMHS senior Elizabeth Djajalie selected from among nearly 17,000 applicants.

The 2024 Alaska Junior Duck Stamp Contest winning painting of an American Wigeon titled “Perusing in the Pond” by Jade Hicks, a student at Thunder Mountain High School. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
THMS student Jade Hicks wins 2024 Alaska Junior Duck Stamp Contest

Jade Hicks, 18, a student at Thunder Mountain High School, took top… Continue reading

(Photo courtesy of The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska)
Neighbors: Tunic returned to the Dakhl’aweidí clan

After more than 50 years, the Wooch dakádin kéet koodás’ (Killerwhales Facing… Continue reading

A handmade ornament from a previous U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree)
Neighbors briefs

Ornaments sought for 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree The Alaska Region of… Continue reading

(Photo by Gina Delrosario)
Living and Growing: Divine Mercy Sunday

Part one of a two-part series

(City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Neighbors Briefs

Registration for Parks & Rec summer camps opens April 1 The City… Continue reading

Easter eggs in their celebratory stage, before figuring out what to do once people have eaten their fill. (Photo by Depositphotos via AP)
Gimme A Smile: Easter Eggs — what to do with them now?

From Little League practice to practicing being POTUS, there’s many ways to get cracking.

A fruit salad that can be adjusted to fit the foods of the season. (Photo by Patty Schied)
Cooking for Pleasure: A Glorious Fruit Salad for a Company Dinner

Most people don’t think of a fruit salad as a dessert. This… Continue reading