Juneau, Alaska – August 18, 2014 – (RealEstateRama) — Governor Sean Parnell announced appointments to the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Board of Trustees, Statewide Suicide Prevention Council, Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Alaska Council on the Homeless, Alaska Pioneers’ Homes Advisory Board, and State Vocational Rehabilitation Committee.
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Board of Trustees
Governor Parnell reappointed Mike Barton to the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Board of Trustees. The board preserves and protects the trust assets that fund mental health services and programs in Alaska.
Barton, of Douglas, has more than 30 years of experience involving resource and land management. He was previously an executive with The Rise Group, an organization providing construction management services. Barton formerly served as the commissioner of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities and as the regional forester in Alaska with the U.S. Forest Service. He is reappointed to a public seat.
Statewide Suicide Prevention Council
Governor Parnell appointed Cynthia Erickson to the Statewide Suicide Prevention Council. The 15-member council is responsible for developing and implementing a statewide suicide prevention plan, and for providing an annual report to the Legislature on its findings and recommendations. It also improves public awareness of suicide, enhances suicide prevention services, and uses comprehensive, collaborative, community-based and faith-based approaches in its efforts.
Erickson, of Tanana, is the owner of Tanana Commercial Company and Tanakon Bed and Breakfast since 1986. She has served on the Dineega Corporation Board, St. Aloysius Catholic Church Board, University of Alaska Cooperative Extension Board, and is a 4-H leader where she is committed to helping her 4-H kids share their suicide prevention message. Erickson is a recipient of the First Lady’s Volunteer of the Year Award and the Doyon Shareholder of the Year Award. She attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks where she studied elementary education with a minor in Alaska Native studies. Erickson is appointed to a public seat.
Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
Governor Parnell appointed Philip Licht and reappointed Dr. Enlow Walker and James Duncan to the Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. The 15-member board advises the Legislature, governor and state agencies on matters relating to the rehabilitation of individuals dealing with alcohol and drug abuse.
Licht, of Palmer, is one of the founding members and executive director of Set-Free Alaska, which has a 70 percent completion rate for their outpatient drug and alcohol treatment programs. He was appointed by Mayor DeVilbiss to the Mat-Su Borough Health and Social Services Board in 2013. Licht is also the board chair for the Mat-Su Substance Abuse Coalition and the Mat-Su Agency Partnership. He is appointed to a seat representing substance abuse treatment providers.
Walker, of North Pole, has been a family practice physician at Fairbanks Clinic since 1988, where he also currently serves as vice president. Walker has worked with Fairbanks Pioneer Home, Fairbanks Medical Association, and Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. A U.S. Air Force veteran, Walker is the former commander of the 168th U.S. Air Force Clinic at Eielson Air Force Base. He is reappointed to a seat reserved for a physician.
Duncan, of Soldotna, is the statewide chaplain for the Alaska Department of Corrections. He has pastored in Fairbanks, Healy, and recently completed nearly 25 years at Peninsula Christian Center in Soldotna. Rev. Duncan has served on many boards and committees, including the Governor’s Task Force on Drugs and Alcohol, and the Alaska Youth Network. He was instrumental in starting the Alaska Men’s Network. Duncan is reappointed to a public seat.
Alaska Council on the Homeless
Governor Parnell appointed Betty Jo Svensson to the Alaska Council on the Homeless. The council develops a statewide plan that includes short-term and long-term strategies to effectively address the issues surrounding Alaska’s homeless population.
Svensson, of Juneau, has been the deputy director of the Alaska Municipal League since 2006. She formerly worked as a registered nurse in Sweden and California. Svensson is a former volunteer firefighter for Capital City Fire and Rescue. She is past president of the Pelican City School District School Board and previously served on the Health Board and Planning Commission for the City of Pelican. Svensson is appointed to a public seat.
Alaska Pioneers’ Homes Advisory Board
Governor Parnell reappointed Lee Cromwell and Robert Sivertsen to the Alaska Pioneers’ Homes Advisory Board. The eight-member board conducts inspections of property and procedures of the Alaska Pioneers’ Homes and recommends improvements to the governor.
Cromwell, of Anchorage, is a facility manager for NANA Management Services LLC. He is a retired U.S. Army paratrooper with 20 years of service, and is a former commissioner on the Municipality of Anchorage Military and Veterans Affairs Commission. Cromwell is reappointed to a seat reserved for a veterans’ representative.
Sivertsen, of Ketchikan, retired after 38 years of service with the City of Ketchikan in public works and solid waste services. He is a lifelong Alaskan, and a member of the Ketchikan City Council. Sivertsen serves as chairman of the Ketchikan Pioneers Home Foundation and the Southeast Alaska Power Agency. He is reappointed to a public seat.
State Vocational Rehabilitation Committee
Governor Parnell appointed Barrie Brent to the State Vocational Rehabilitation Committee. The committee promotes employment of people with disabilities by creating statewide interest in the rehabilitation and employment of people with disabilities.
Brent, of Anchorage, has been working for Carrs-Safeway since 1990 in a variety of roles, including food clerk, employment coordinator, first assistant manager, and currently, as field recruiter. She is currently enrolled at the University of Alaska Anchorage pursuing a retail management certificate. Brent is appointed to a business seat
