Governor Sean Parnell has named nine Alaskans to his new Timber Task Force.
"The broad goal of the task force is to focus on economic development and jobs and different ways we can generate some ideas to increase economic development and jobs for Alaskans," Randy Ruaro, the governor’s deputy chief of staff, said.
The administration announced plans for the task force in May after pulling out of the Tongass Futures Roundtable, which the Governor said was ineffective.
State Forester Chris Maisch of Fairbanks, who played a leadership role in the Tongass Roundtable, will chair the task force, which will meet later this month.
Other task force members include Forest Service Regional Forester Beth Pendleton of Juneau, Alaska Forest Association Executive Director Owen Graham of Ketchikan, and Commerce Department Commissioner Susan Bell of Juneau.
Other government members are Juneau’s Kyle Moselle, Tongass coordinator for the state Department of Fish and Game, and Coffman Cove’s Elaine Price, projects manager for that Prince of Wales Island city.
Industry members are Craig’s Bryce Dahlstrom of the Viking Lumber Company and Delta Junction’s Brad Cox of Logging and Milling Associates.