Branson Appointed to Ferry Board

Jay Barrett/KMXT
After years of having zero representation on the state’s Marine Transportation Advisory Board, Kodiak’s mayor has been appointed to a new seat representing Southcentral Alaska. On Wednesday, the governor’s office announced the appointment of Pat Branson to the M-TAB.
She was an early voice calling for local representation on the board that advises the Department of Transportation on state ferry matters, including strategic planning, initiatives and performance goals.
Also newly appointed was Richard Knapp of Juneau, a retired Coast Guard rear admiral and a former commissioner of the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.
Reappointed was Robert Venables, former manager of the Haines Borough, and Shirley Marquardt, mayor of Unalaska. Venables will represent northern Southeast and Marquardt will represent the Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian Chain.