Both these exempt positions have 'salary override' designations - when people are paid more than the salary range and step requires. 

As a matter of fact, most of Bill Walker's exempt hires have received salary overrides even before he took office in Nov 2014 - during his transition period - right after he told the public that he would curtail high salaries during candidate debates.

Though Walker had the latitude and authority to hire people, including these 2 guys, with salaries much more commensurate with other rank and file state employees throughout state government - he did not - and then continued to repeatedly tell the public that we all had to pitch in during these hard fiscal times.

Walker could have told these 2 new transfer/hires his hokey Mallott/Metlakatla story about ropes and towing beach logs together & said if they wanted to continue their state employment- here's a lower salary-take it or leave it.

But Walker did NOT do that. Walker lied & stole our PFD's instead.