May 15, 2007
Tuesday AM

Governor Sarah Palin announced Monday the appointment of several Alaskans to the Marine Transportation Advisory Board (MTAB). The Alaska Marine Transportation Advisory Board advises the state on issues related to the Alaska Marine Highway System. The nine-member advisory committee is made up of representatives from communities served by state ferries. MTAB was re-authorized under Administrative Order No. 233 by Governor Palin on March 28, 2007.

Captain William Hopkins of Ketchikan will represent employee labor unions of the Alaska Marine Highway System. Hopkins retired from the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) in January 2007, after thirty years of service. He has piloted Southeast, Southwest and Puget Sound on all AMHS vessels, except for the Wickersham and high-speed craft. Hopkins served eight years as permanent master of the M/V Aurora and another eight years as permanent master of the M/V Kennicott. He is the author of two books including, "Wrangell Narrows, Alaska," a mile-by-mile guide for mariners navigating the Inside Passage.

Robert Venables of Haines will represent northern Southeast Alaska. Venables has worked for the Haines Borough since 2000 ­ first as the Borough's Economic Development Director and later as the Borough's Manager, a post he has held since 2004. He is a former member of MTAB and former chair of the Southeast Conference. Venables is active in the Haines and Alaska State Chambers of Commerce, and has been a board member of the Haines Borough Fire District #3 since 1988.

John (JC) Conley of Ketchikan will represent southern Southeast Alaska. Conley is the owner of Service Auto Parts, a locally owned auto parts store he has been with since 1979. He served three terms on the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly, and served twice as chair of the Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce and Southeast Conference. Conley is the former chair of MTAB.

Maxine Thompson of Angoon will represent the cities of Angoon, Hoonah, Kake, Pelican, and Tenakee. She is the president of Thompson Management Services, Inc., DBA Angoon Oil Company, a post she has held for over twenty years. Thompson served on the Angoon City Council from 1994 to 1997, and served one term as Mayor from 1997 to 1999. She is a lifelong Alaskan.

Clay Koplin of Cordova will represent the Prince William Sound region. Koplin has served as the Manager of Engineering and Operations for the Cordova Electric Cooperative since 1988. He worked with the Prince William Sound Economic Development Group and the Cordova Chamber of Commerce to develop a marketing strategy for the M/V Aurora and the M/V Chenega. Koplin is a self proclaimed, "Enthusiastic Alaskan."

Shirley Marquardt of Unalaska will represent Southwest Alaska, the Aleutian Chain, and the Alaska Peninsula. She was elected mayor of Unalaska in 2004, and served the previous ten years on the Unalaska City Council. Marquardt is the Port Operations Manager for Samson Tug and Barge in Dutch Harbor. Since 1999, Marquardt has been a member of the American Seafoods Community Advisory Board. She also serves on the Alaska Municipal League Finance Committee and is a member of the Fisheries Committee for Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference.

Murray Walsh of Juneau will serve as an at-large member. Walsh has served as the Executive Director of Southeast Conference since 2006. He is also the Principal in Walsh Planning and Development Services, a private planning practice he has operated since 1996. Walsh has been preparing comprehensive site plans for communities and clients since 1974. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Planning in 1971 from the University of Washington.

Cathie Roemmich of Juneau will serve as an at-large member and as the chair, designated by the Governor. She has served as the executive director of the Juneau Chamber of Commerce since 2006. Roemmich was the assistant port manager for Southeast Stevedoring in Sitka from 1985 to 1996. She also spent four years as the service manager for Willie's Marine, Inc. Boat Sales and Service in Juneau. Roemmich is a lifelong Alaskan.

Mike Korsmo of Skagway will serve as an at-large member. Korsmo captains a 100-foot tug boat for Amak Towing, a subsidiary of Southeast Stevedoring. He has served as a Skagway City Council member since 2002, and is a member of the Southeast Conference Board of Directors where he chairs the Transportation Committee. Korsmo also serves on the Alaska Municipal League Public Works and Infrastructure Committee.

Source of News:

Office of the Governor
www.gov.state.ak.us

 

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