Many Locals in Flurry of Last-Minute Parnell Appointments

Jay Barrett/KMXT

In a flurry of last-minute activity, a number of Kodiak residents were appointed or re-appointed to Alaska boards and commissions by outgoing governor Sean Parnell three days before he left office. In a Friday afternoon announcement, Parnell made appointments to 30 different panels.

Kodiak City Mayor Pat Branson was reappointed to the Marine Transportation Advisory Board. It works with the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to prepare a strategic plan for the Alaska Marine Highway System.

Ron Gibbs, owner and operator of Healing Harbor Body Therapy, was appointed to the Board of Massage Therapists. Bill Roberts, Kodiak Island Borough assessor was appointed to the State Assessment Review Board, which conducts oil and gas property assessment appeal hearings on values set by the Department of Revenue.

He also reappointed Kodiak College Assistant Professor April Laktonen-Counceller to the Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council. The council advises both the governor and Legislature on programs, policies, and projects to provide for the preservation, restoration, and revitalization of Alaska Native languages in the state.

Parnell also made two appointments to the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) Board of Directors. Tomi Marsh of Ketchikan, president of Oceans Alaska Ketchikan, was appointed to a seat for harvesters on the board. Allen Kimball of Seattle, a vice president of Trident Seafoods, was named to a seat for large processors. ASMI is a public-private partnership between the State of Alaska and the Alaska seafood industry established to increase the economic value of our renewable seafood resources.