Alaska Governor Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Fisheries Research, Oil Spill Response and Earthquake Safety

December 10, 2007, Anchorage, Alaska – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin today announced a number of appointments to state boards and commissions responsible for fisheries research and management, oil spill planning and response, earthquake safety, and prevention of domestic violence, sexual assault and suicide.

North Pacific Research Board

Governor Palin appointed Steve MacLean, and reappointed Dorothy Childers, Gerry Merrigan, Pam Pope and Denis Wiesenburg to the North Pacific Research Board.

The Research Board is responsible for managing a comprehensive science program relating to the fisheries and marine ecosystems in the North Pacific Ocean, Bering Sea, and Arctic Ocean. It recommends, prioritizes and awards funding to research projects; promotes scientific cooperation and collaboration; and supports enhanced public understanding of those ecosystems and fisheries. Its 11 members are drawn from federal and state management and research agencies, including five appointed by Alaska’s governor, to serve three-year terms.

MacLean, of Anchorage, is an Inupiaq subsistence whale hunter who crews a whaling boat in Barrow. He has served on the Research Board’s advisory committee and its local and traditional knowledge committee. MacLean earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Whitman College, and a master’s degree in wildlife and fisheries science from Texas A&M University. He was appointed to an advisory seat representing the interests of Alaska Natives.

Childers of Anchorage, is program director and former executive director of the Alaska Marine Conservation Council, which advocates for marine and coastal conservation in Alaska. She is a representative on the Alaska Sea Grant Public Advisory Group and a director of the Marine Fish Conservation Network. Childers has advocated for sustainable fishing by protecting habitat and minimizing bycatch. She recently won a three-year, $150,000 fellowship from the Pew Institute for Ocean Science to study climate change in the Bering Sea. Childers holds a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York-Empire State. She has served on the board since 2005, and was reappointed to a seat representing environmental organizations.

Merrigan, of Petersburg, works in government affairs for Prowler Fisheries of Petersburg. A commercial salmon troller and halibut fisherman since 1984, he is currently a member of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. He has previously served on the Pacific Salmon Commission, Northern Panel, and was director of the Petersburg Vessel Owners Association. Merrigan has also worked as a forestry technician, boat carpenter, and state fisheries biologist. He holds a bachelor’s degree in science from Rollins College and a master’s degree in forestry from Duke University. Merrigan was appointed to a seat representing the fishing interests.

Pope, of Anchorage, is a project health, safety and environmental manager with BP Alaska Exploration, Inc., and has held a variety of health, safety and environmental support and management positions with the company, including environmental policy analyst, scientist and engineer. She has worked for BP for 26 years, including more than 20 years of experience supporting onshore and offshore oil exploration and production in Alaska, including managing North Slope environmental research projects, and writing oil spill and pollution control plans. She has served on numerous state and international organizations relating to the oil industry’s environmental protection efforts. Pope earned a bachelor’s degree in zoology from California State University-Long Beach, and a master’s degree in environmental quality science and engineering from the University of Alaska Anchorage. She has served on the Research Board since 2001 and was reappointed to a seat representing oil and gas interests.

Wiesenburg, of Fairbanks, is dean of the School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. His extensive career in research and academia includes work as professor and chair of marine sciences at the University of Southern Mississippi; associate director of the geochemical and environmental research group at Texas A&M University; and oceanographer with the Naval Ocean Research and Development Activity at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. He has been heavily involved in fisheries and oceanography issues and research, with his numerous published articles addressing issues including water composition and quality. Wiesenburg holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Duke University, a master’s degree in oceanography from Old Dominion University and a doctorate in oceanography from Texas A&M University. He has served on the Research Board since 2005 and was reappointed to a seat representing academia.

Pacific Salmon Commission, Northern Panel

Governor Palin appointed Brian Frenette to the Northern Panel of the Pacific Salmon Commission. The Northern Panel is one of several regional panels that provide technical and regulatory advice on salmon stocks to the Pacific Salmon Commission, created by a 1985 treaty to coordinate West Coast salmon management. The panels help negotiate and implement treaty provisions, and draw on technical data, annual plans, regulations and salmon enhancement programs to make pre- and post-season recommendations to the Commission. The Northern Panel includes representatives of government and fishing interests, nominated by the governor and appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, to four-year terms.

Frenette, of Juneau, is the Southeast regional sportfishing supervisor for the Department of Fish and Game. His previous work for the department in Southeast Alaska included positions as project leader for salmon habitat research, for marine creel surveys, and for fisheries research, and as seafood industry liaison. He has published scientific papers on fish management issues relating to Southeast fisheries. Frenette earned a bachelor’s degree in water resources and aquatic biology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. As the governor’s Alaska alternate appointment to the panel, he need not be appointed by the Secretary.

Prince William Sound Oil Spill Recovery Institute Advisory Board

Governor Palin reappointed Pete Kompkoff, Doug Lentsch, George Levasseur, Bill Lindow and Glenn Ujioka to the Prince William Sound Oil Spill Recovery Institute’s Advisory Board.

The Institute was established in federal law in 1990 after the Exxon Valdez oil spill to identify and develop the best available techniques, equipment and materials to deal with cold-water marine oil spills, and to help federal and state officials document, assess and understand the long-term effects of such spills. It is guided by its Advisory Board, which includes representatives of state and federal agencies dealing with oil spills, marine scientists, Alaska Natives and residents of communities affected by the Exxon Valdez spill. Members are appointed to two-year terms.

Kompkoff, of Chenega Bay, is a commercial gillnet fisherman in Prince William Sound, and a member of the gillnetters' and piledrivers' unions. He attended the Bates Vocational Technical Institute in Washington and graduated from Shasta College. He has been active in tribal government, having served as president of the Chenega Village Council. Kompkoff was reappointed to a seat representing Alaska Natives from communities affected by the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

Lentsch, of Nikiski, has been general manager of Cook Inlet Spill & Prevention Inc. since 1995. He spent 25 years with the U.S. Coast Guard. During the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989 he served as chief of the Coast Guard’s Pollution Response Branch in Washington, D.C., responsible for writing and putting into effect regulations requiring spill contingency plans for vessels and facilities. Lentsch and his office provided significant technical assistance to Congress in planning for and drafting the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. He earned a bachelor’s degree in geology from Montana State University. Lentsch was reappointed to a seat representing the oil and gas industry.

Levasseur, of Valdez, is a commercial fisherman and charter boat captain who retired as a state road and airport operations manager. He is a 29-year member of the Valdez Fisheries Development Board, and has been on the PWS Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council. Levasseur is a member of the core fleet of SERVS fishing vessels trained to respond to oil spills in the Sound. He graduated from the University of Minnesota. Levasseur was reappointed to a seat representing Sound fishermen.

Lindow, of Cordova, has been a commercial salmon gillnetter in Copper River and Prince William Sound since 1978 and a halibut fisherman in the Gulf of Alaska since 1997. He has served on the board of the PWS Aquaculture Corp., the Copper River Fisherman's Cooperative and the Copper River Salmon Producers Association, and as a member of the PWS Regional Citizen's Advisory Council. Lindow attended the University of Colorado and the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. He was reappointed to a seat representing fishing organizations.

Ujioka, of Cordova, is a commercial salmon gillnetter in Copper River and Prince William Sound. He works as a maintenance equipment operator for an Alaska Native consortium that contracts the Alyeska’s SERVS fleet of oil tanker escort vessels in the Sound. He has been active on various boards and commissions, including the Alaska Marine Conservation Council, the Chugachmiut Environmental Conservation Consortium and the Native Village of Eyak, serving on its board for more than a decade. Ujioka was reappointed to a seat representing Alaska Natives.

Task Force on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Governor Palin appointed Yvonne Sarren to the Task Force on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.

The task force was created by the Legislature in May to consider ways to improve the operations and management of the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, the state board responsible for reducing such assaults. The 15-member task force includes members appointed by the Governor and Legislature, plus state department officials, assault victims, and others with responsibilities for and interest in the problem of domestic violence and sexual assault in Alaska. It is to deliver a report with its recommendations to the Governor and Legislature by March 1, 2008.

Sarren, of Unalakleet, is a tribal enrollment officer for the Native Village of Unalakleet. She has worked in tribal enrollment in Barrow and in her hometown of Wainwright, and has also worked as a jailer/dispatcher for the Unalakleet Police Department. She graduated from Mt. Edgecumbe High School and attended Sheldon Jackson College. She was appointed to a seat on the task force representing a community of fewer than 2,500 residents.

Suicide Prevention Council

Governor Palin appointed Celaena Powder to the Suicide Prevention Council.

The Suicide Prevention Council is responsible for developing and implementing a statewide suicide prevention plan, improving public awareness of suicide and enhancing suicide prevention services. It also advises the Governor and Legislature on comprehensive, collaborative, community-based and faith-based approaches to reducing suicide and its impacts on Alaskans and Alaska communities.

Powder, of Palmer, is a sophomore at Wasilla High School, where she is active in student government, serves on the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District student advisory board, participates in soccer and cross-country running, and maintains an A average.

Alaska Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee

Governor Palin appointed Raelene Active, Kana Howarth and Richard Isett Jr. to the Alaska Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee.

The Committee provides support, advice and guidance to state government and citizens to help reduce and prevent juvenile crime, and to provide young Alaskans with meaningful opportunities to succeed in life. It includes representatives from local government, law enforcement and juvenile justice agencies, and public and private agencies dealing with juvenile justice. At least one-fifth of its members must be younger than 24 when appointed, and at least three members must now be, or have been, under the jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system.

Active, 17, of Eagle River, was appointed to a seat for a person who has been under the control of the juvenile justice system. She is home-schooling in anticipation of soon enrolling at Chugiak High School as a senior.

Howarth, 17, of Kotzebue, was appointed to a seat for a person who has been under the control of the juvenile justice system. She now attends Kotzebue Adult Basic Education at the Alaska Technical Center.

Isett, 22, of Kenai, was appointed to a seat for a person who has been under the control of the juvenile justice system. He now attends Kenai Peninsula College and works at Spenard Builders Supply in Kenai.

Seismic Hazards Safety Commission

Governor Palin appointed Mark W. Roberts of Chugiak to a seat on the Seismic Hazards Safety Commission representing the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The commission is responsible for advising the Governor, Legislature and private sectors on policies for seismic hazard mitigation and disaster preparedness, and on when to issue seismic hazard warnings.

Roberts currently serves as the state hazard mitigation office for the department’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, where he oversees the state’s earthquake and tsunami hazard mitigation programs. Roberts has nine years of experience as captain, incident commander and strike team leader for the Chugiak Volunteer Fire Department. He has worked in the Hurricane Katrina relief effort as a supervisor of temporary housing in Mississippi for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. An ordained minister, he spent 10 years as a chaplain for the Anchorage Police Department, and 14 years as senior pastor of Grace Brethren Church in Eagle River. Roberts earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Davis and a doctorate in theology from the Dallas Theological Seminary.

Source: Alaska Governor

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