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Governor Announces New Board Appointments
[December 18, 2013]

Governor Announces New Board Appointments


(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Dec. 18 -- Gov. Sean Parnell, R-Alaska, has issued the following news release: Governor Sean Parnell today announced appointments to the Alaska Workforce Investment Board, Alaska Safety Advisory Council, Alaska State Emergency Response Commission, Boating Safety Advisory Board, and Criminal Justice Information Advisory Board.



Alaska Workforce Investment Board Governor Parnell appointed David Alexander, Deantha Crockett, Peggy Cowan, and reappointed Pearl Strub, Jim Lynch, Doug Ward, Frederick Villa, and Ken Peltier to the Alaska Workforce Investment Board. The board develops and manages a comprehensive state human resource investment system, and promotes an efficient integrated system of employment education and training programs to help provide Alaskans the skills necessary to thrive in the state's evolving economy.

Alexander, of Anchorage, has been the curriculum developer and president of Nine Star Education and Employment Services for more than thirty years. He has been teaching, training, and developing adult basic education since the creation of the International Commission on Adult Basic Education in 1972. Alexander received a bachelor's degree in English from Rutgers University, a master's degree in English from Wayne State University, and a doctorate in adult learning and language education from Florida State University. He is appointed to represent adult basic education services.


Crockett, of Anchorage, is the executive director of the Alaska Miners Association. She previously worked as the projects coordinator for the Resource Development Council. Crockett serves on the board of management for the Armed Services YMCA. She holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). Crockett is appointed to a private sector seat.

Cowan, of Barrow, is superintendent for the North Slope Borough School District and previously served as superintendent for the Juneau School District. She is the recipient of the Superintendent of the Year Award and Marine Educator of the Year Award. Cowan received a master's degree from the University of Michigan, and her principal and superintendent credentials through educational leadership from UAA. She is appointed to a seat representing secondary vocational education.

Strub, of Dillingham, is director of education, employment and training for the Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation. She previously was the workforce development director and education program manager for the Bristol Bay Native Association. Strub was a member of the University of Alaska's College of Rural and Community Development Advisory Council from 1998-2005, and of the university's Bristol Bay Campus Advisory Council since 1995. She has been a director of several subsidiaries of Choggiung Ltd., the Alaska Native village corporation for Dillingham, and of Choggiung's education endowment foundation. Strub is reappointed to a seat representing business or industry.

Lynch, of Fairbanks, has been chief financial officer for Fairbanks Memorial Hospital since 2008. He has also worked in Fairbanks as a certified public accountant, controller, and assistant controller. Lynch served as chair of the Interior Alaska Regional Council on workforce and economic development. He received a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Alaska. Lynch is reappointed to a seat representing business or industry.

Ward, of Ketchikan, is the director of shipyard development for Vigor Alaska, formerly Alaska Ship & Drydock, Inc. He also serves on the board of directors for the Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce. Ward previously worked in project design, permitting, and construction with Dawson Construction. He is reappointed to a seat representing business or industry.

Villa, of North Pole, is associate vice president for workforce programs for the University of Alaska statewide system. He previously worked as special assistant to the Catholic Bishop of Northern Alaska, and worked at a North Pole oil refinery for 19 years in several positions, including process operator, control board operator, and training director. Villa is a member of the Alaska Process Industry Careers Consortium, and has been a member, vice chair, and chair of the consortium's board of directors. He earned a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation from the University of South Dakota. Villa is reappointed to a seat representing the University of Alaska.

Peltier, of Palmer, has been administrator of the Alaska Operating Engineers/Employers Training Trust since 2007. He started with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 302's apprenticeship program in 1990, and after graduating, worked for 14 years as a heavy equipment mechanic and operator, foreman, and superintendent with Wilder Construction. Peltier became a dispatcher, then business agent for the union in 2003. He served as safety coordinator for the Municipality of Anchorage's maintenance department in 2006. He previously served on the Alaska Labor Relations Board and on the Matanuska-Susitna Borough's labor advisory board. Peltier is reappointed to a seat reserved for a representative of postsecondary vocational education.

Alaska Safety Advisory Council Governor Parnell appointed Hal A. Homer and Clint Brooks, and reappointed Kirk Jackson and Michael Schowen to the Alaska Safety Advisory Council. The council promotes safety so that resources can be marshaled and used to reduce accidental death and injury.

Homer, of Anchorage, is the safety manager for the Municipality of Anchorage. He previously worked as the safety coordinator for Solid Waste Services, and was the facility manager and safety coordinator for the municipal Department of Health and Human Services. Homer is a registered safety professional with the International Board of Environmental Health and Safety. He is appointed to the local government seat.

Brooks, of Fairbanks, is the director of operations and support at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. Prior to joining the staff at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, Brooks served for more than 20 years in the U.S. Army. He is a member of the Fairbanks North Star Borough Emergency Services Commission, Fairbanks Emergency Planning Committee, and the American Red Cross of Alaska. Brooks also serves on the board of directors of the Midnight Sun Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Brooks is appointed to an industry seat.

Jackson, of Fairbanks, has worked as an instructor at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 375 Apprenticeship School since 2007. Prior to his current role with the union, Jackson managed a variety of plumbing and pipefitting jobs throughout Alaska for several companies, including Haskell Corporation, Rockford Corporation, and W.A. Bottling. Jackson is reappointed to a seat reserved for a member of the labor community.

Schowen, of Anchorage, is a corporate health, safety, and environmental manager for SolstenXP, and an adjunct professor of safety and health compliance at the University of Alaska Anchorage. He has held numerous positions as a safety professional in Alaska, including senior safety advisor with BP Exploration (Alaska), Inc., safety director for the Municipality of Anchorage, safety manager for Chugach Electric Association, and training officer for the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Schowen earned a bachelor's degree in management from Marylhurst University in Oregon and a master's degree in business organizational management from the University of La Verne in California. He is a certified safety professional and holds the National Safety Council's Certified Utility Safety Administrator Certificate. Schowen is reappointed to a seat representing industry.

Alaska State Emergency Response Commission Governor Parnell reappointed Brian Templin to the Alaska State Emergency Response Commission. The commission facilitates the preparation and implementation of all emergency plans prepared by state agencies, and advises local emergency planning committees for communities in Alaska.

Templin, of Craig, is the city planner for the City of Craig. He served as an information management specialist for the U.S. Air Force and is a former employee of Templin Land Surveying. Templin is reappointed to a seat representing a local emergency planning committee in a rural community.

Boating Safety Advisory Board Governor Parnell reappointed Chris Osowski to the Boating Safety Advisory Council. The council develops educational materials, promotes boating safety education programs, and advises the state on regional and national boating issues.

Osowski, of Anchorage, has worked for ConocoPhillips in the Kuparuk Oil Field for nearly 30 years. He also is the owner and operator of two businesses: Expedition Alaska, a whitewater rafting business, and Northern Recreation Unlimited, a marine sales company. Osowski is reappointed to a public seat.

Criminal Justice Information Advisory Board Governor Parnell appointed Del Smith to the Criminal Justice Information Advisory Board. The board advises the department and other criminal justice agencies on matters pertaining to the development and operation of the criminal justice information systems.

Smith, of Eagle River, has more than forty years of experience in public safety as a consultant for the industry, commissioner for the Alaska Department of Public Safety, and deputy chief of operations for the Anchorage Police Department. He is a member of the Alaska Peace Officers Association, Alaska Association of Chiefs of Police, and FBI National Academy Association. Smith received the Anchorage Police Department Investigator of the Year Award. He holds an associate degree in police administration and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. Smith is appointed to a public seat.

TNS 30FurigayJane-131219-4583079 30FurigayJane (c) 2013 Targeted News Service

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