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Governor Appoints 15 Alaskans to Boards and Commissions

 

May 08, 2004
Saturday


Juneau, AK - Governor Frank Murkowski has appointed 15 Alaskans to serve on various boards and commissions. "I'm pleased to appoint hard-working and dedicated Alaskans to serve on these important boards and commissions," Murkowski said. "These individuals have shown a commitment to their professions for years, and some have served the state in the past. Their passion, expertise and experience will serve Alaska well and I appreciate, along with all Alaskans, their stepping forward to contribute their time."

ALASKA COUNCIL ON EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

Ronald L. Bowers of Dillingham was appointed to a consumer seat. Bowers currently volunteers as a firefighter and medic for the Dillingham Fire Department and is involved with flight medivacs for Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation. He has worked or volunteered as an EMS provider in several Alaska communities. Bowers served as chairman for the Bristol Bay Regional EMS Advisory Council. He teaches EMS courses throughout the Aleutians for Eastern Aleutian Tribes.

John A. Dickens of Bethel was appointed to a prehospital emergency care provider seat. Dickens works for the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation and has formerly worked for Grant Aviation, Flight Alaska and MarkAir Express as an aircraft dispatcher. Dickens served on the Public Safety and Transportation Commission for the city of Bethel and has earned certificates to become an EMT, EMT instructor and structural fire fighter.

David I. Hull of Ketchikan was re-appointed to a prehospital emergency care provider seat. Hull is a paramedic and has been a member of the Ketchikan Volunteer Fire Department EMS system for over 25 years. He has conducted classes on a variety of EMS-related topics.

ALASKA FIRE STANDARDS COUNCIL

Brian C. Davis of Fairbanks was re-appointed to a firefighter position. Davis has 14 years experience and is currently a driver/engineer and an EMT. He is active in the Fairbanks Fire Fighters Association and trains new recruits.

Douglas Frey of Prudhoe Bay was re-appointed to a volunteer fire fighter seat. He is the chief of emergency services for BP Exploration and a volunteer fire fighter at Central Mat-Su Fire Department. Frey earned a degree in fire prevention and safety engineering technology from Oklahoma State and a masters in hazardous waste/materials management from Southern Methodist University.

Jeffery Dobson of Wasilla was re-appointed to a fire fighter seat. Dobson has worked as captain of the Anchorage Fire Department since 1991 and has served as acting fire chief for the Alaska Fire Service since 1985. He is an adjunct instructor for the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Rich Leipfert of Ketchikan was re-appointed to a fire chief/chief administrative officer/volunteer staff seat. Leipfert has been fire chief for the Ketchikan Fire Department since 1998. He has 20 years experience in fire safety, training, supervising and budgeting. He currently serves as secretary for the Fire Standards Council and is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the National Fire Protection Association.

William (Bill) Bettac of Eagle River was appointed to a public seat. Bettac is a retired chief fire officer and fire instructor. He is a former US Air Force fire protection specialist and has provided specialized training courses in disaster preparedness and shelter management, fire fighter health and safety, and fire protection.

Carol R. Reed of Valdez was appointed to a designated seat. Reed has been a member of the Alaska State Firefighters Association since 1990. She currently works for Alyeska Pipeline Service Company as a Power/Vapor Operator. She volunteered for the Mat-Su Fire Department as fire captain.

BOARD OF EXAMINERS IN OPTOMETRY

Jeffrey A. Gonnason, OD, of Anchorage was appointed to an optometrist seat. Gonnason has been practicing optometry in Anchorage since 1976. He has an extensive history of community involvement, including the Red Cross Board of Directors, the Cook Inlet Native Association Board of Directors, the CIRI Foundation Board of Directors, the Anchorage Opera Board of Directors and a Challenge Alaska volunteer, among others. Gonnason graduated from West Anchorage High School and earned a bachelor of science and doctor of optometry after attending the University of Washington, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Alaska Anchorage and Pacific University. He formerly served on the Alaska State Board of Examiners in Optometry under Governor Bill Sheffield.

Jill Geering Matheson, OD, of Juneau was appointed to an optometrist seat. Matheson has been in private practice since 1992 with the Alaska Vision Center. Matheson has been a member of the Alaska Optometric Association and served on the Board of Directors for Gold Creek Child Care. Matheson earned a doctor of optometry from Illinois College of Optometry.

BOARD OF CERTIFIED DIRECT-ENTRY MIDWIVES

Dana L. Brown of Fairbanks was re-appointed to a midwife seat. Brown is the director of the Alaska Family Health and Birth Center and has been a practicing midwife for 19 years. Brown also trains midwives.

Sharon K. Evans of Palmer was re-appointed to a midwife seat. Evans is the director of policies management for North American Registry of Midwives. She has authored several books on midwifery and has been a practicing midwife for 20 years.

BOARD OF DISPENSING OPTICIANS

Larry Harper of Anchorage was re-appointed to an optician seat. Harper has been a practicing optician since 1970 and serves on the Alaska Opticians Association and the Board of Directors of the National Contact Lens Examiners.

POLICE STANDARDS COUNCIL

Charles T.C. Kamai of Kodiak was appointed to a police chief seat. Kamai is the chief of police for the Kodiak Police Department. He is involved in the community and serves on the Kodiak (Youth) Football League Board of Directors, the Kodiak Salvation Army Advisory Board, the Kodiak Area Maritime Security Committee and the Kodiak Local Emergency Planning Committee. Kamai is a recipient of several awards from the National Police Hall of Fame and is involved in numerous professional organizations.

 

 

Source of News Release:

Office of the Governor
Web Site

 

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