Juneau, Alaska – Governor Sean Parnell today announced appointments to the Fishermen’s Fund Advisory and Appeals Council, Board of Forestry, Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Advisory Council, and Transboundary Panel of the Pacific Salmon Commission.

Fishermen’s Fund Advisory and Appeals Council

Governor Parnell appointed Donald Stiles to the Fishermen’s Fund Advisory and Appeals Council. The council consults with the commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development regarding appeals filed in relation to care of sick and disabled fishermen, and advises the department on administration of the fund.

Stiles, of Nome, is a commercial fisherman and high school basketball coach. Active in the community, Stiles is a member of the Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation, former chair of the Siu Alaska Corporation, and is a former fisheries specialist with Kawarek Incorporated’s fisheries department. Stiles also served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He is named to a seat reserved for a resident of Northwest Alaska.

Board of Forestry Governor Parnell appointed Chris Stark and reappointed Mark Vinsel to the Board of Forestry. The board advises the state on forest practices and provides a forum for discussion and resolution of forest management issues on state land. The board also reviews all proposed changes to the Alaska Forest Resources and Practices Act and its regulations.

Stark, of Fairbanks, is a biologist specializing in fisheries research at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He also works with the Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association and owns his own fisheries research consultancy. Stark holds a master’s degree in fisheries science from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Montana. He is a member of the American Fisheries Society and Trout Unlimited. Stark, who previously served on the Board of Forestry from 1999 - 2004, is appointed to a seat reserved for a representative of an environmental organization.

Vinsel, of Juneau, has been executive director of the United Fishermen of Alaska since 2004, after serving as the industry advocacy group’s office manager from 2000 - 2004. He served as chairman of the Alaska Commemorative Coin Commission and chairman of the Alaska Fishing Industry Relief Mission. Vinsel earned a bachelor’s degree in design and industry from San Francisco State University. He is reappointed to a seat representing the commercial fishing industry.

Pacific Salmon Commission – Transboundary Panel

Governor Parnell nominated James Becker, Rod Brown, Arnold Enge, Gary Gray, and Dale Kelly to the Transboundary Panel of the Pacific Salmon Commission. The panel supports the Pacific Salmon Treaty, signed by the United States and Canada in 1985 to protect salmon stocks by providing information and recommendations to the Pacific Salmon Commission on management of in-river and terminal fisheries for salmon originating in the Alsek, Taku, and Stikine Rivers in Southeast Alaska and Northern British Columbia. The governor’s nominations are subject to final appointment by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Becker, of Douglas, has been a commercial fisherman for more than 35 years and is a lifetime resident of the Juneau area. He is a board member of United Southeast Alaska Gillnetters Association and serves as the chair of the City and Borough of Juneau Fisheries Development Committee. Becker was first appointed to the panel in 2000.

Brown, of Wrangell, is a retired biology, marine biology, math and photography teacher. He fished commercially during the summers and is an avid sport fisherman who has lived in Wrangell since 1969. He was first appointed to the panel in 2005.

Enge is a longtime Petersburg resident who commercially fishes for salmon, herring and halibut. He serves as vice-chair of the Petersburg Fish and Game Advisory Committee. Enge was first appointed to the panel in 2000.

Gray, of Yakutat, owns and operates Alsek River Lodge and provides guide services for hunters and fishermen in the Yakutat area. He fished as a commercial setnetter for 15 years and serves as a member of the Yakutat Fish and Game Advisory Committee. Gray was first appointed to the panel in 2006.

Kelley, of Juneau, has served as executive director of the Alaska Trollers Association since 1989. She has also served on the board of the United Fishermen of Alaska, and as a commissioner of the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. Additionally, she was an alternate member of the Pacific Salmon Commission’s Northern Panel for three years. Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Advisory Council Governor Parnell reappointed Steve Lewis, Evangeline Willard-Hoy and Ben Kirkpatrick to the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Advisory Council. The council assists the Alaska Department of Natural Resources in the development and monitoring of a management plan for the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve.

Lewis, of Juneau, is a wildlife biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and is the coordinator of raptor management for the Alaska region. He has also worked for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) as a wildlife biologist and as a fish and wildlife technician. Lewis is reappointed as a representative of the USFWS. Willard-Hoy, of Haines, is the owner of Tlingit Ink Designs. She is also the marketing and shore operations manager for Jilkaat Kwaan Cultural Tours LLC, and serves on the board of directors of the Haines Chamber of Commerce. Willard-Hoy is reappointed as a representative of Haines commercial and industrial interests.Kirkpatrick, of Haines, is a natural resource consultant for AK Resources Inc.

He also serves on the board of directors of the Takshanuk Watershed Council and the steering committee of Rivers Without Borders. Kirkpatrick also served formerly with ADF&G in numerous positions, including habitat biologist. He is reappointed to a seat representing a Haines conservation organization.