Valley residents named to state boards, commissions

WASILLA — Ten Mat-Su Valley residents were among Gov. Bill Walker’s 94 statewide board and commission appointees confirmed by the Alaska Legislature last month. The positions deal with a range of statewide regulation and licensing issues, from medical and business to education and fisheries.

Among the confirmations were Mat-Su School District Superintendent Dr. Deena Paramo, who was named to the University of Alaska Board of Regents, and Palmer businessman Dave Cruz, who was confirmed to serve as the chairman of the Alaska Gasline Development Corp.’s Board of Directors. Both were named to their posts in 2015.

Paramo, a finalist for the Anchorage School District’s superintendent job, joins a host of new members on the 11-member board of regents, who serve eight-year terms.

Cruz, president of Cruz Companies, a pipeline, oilfield and heavy civil construction company, had been serving dual roles as acting board chairman and president following the Nov. 20 resignation of Dan Fauske. Fritz Krusen now serves as the AGDC interim president.

According to a press release from the governor’s office, other Valley residents named to boards or commissions include:

• Rachel Olson, Palmer, Board of Social Work Examiners. Olson is a licensed therapeutic foster parent and the director of Royal Family KIDS camp for foster children in the Mat-Su. The board adopts regulations governing the practice of social work, makes licensing decisions and takes disciplinary action against those violating state licensing laws.

• Bruck Clift, Palmer, state Medical Board. Clift is a licensed physician at Solstice Family Care and a graduate of the University of Arkansas.

• Michelle Black, Wasilla, Board of Barbers and Hairdressers. Black is a hairdresser at Borealis Beauty Salon and holds instructor of hairdressing, barber and esthetician licenses. She has worked as a hairdresser for more than 25 years. The board adopts regulations governing the practice of barbering, hairdressing, esthetics, tattoo and permanent cosmetic coloring and body piercing.

• Deborah Schneider, Wasilla, Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives. Schneider is the owner of Windsong Midwifery. The board regulates the practice of direct-entry midwifery, makes final licensing decisions and takes disciplinary action against those who violate state licensing laws.

• Israel Payton, Wasilla, Board of Fisheries. Payton, a salesman at Airframes Alaska, has worked as a hunting and fishing guide in Southcentral and Western Alaska for nearly 20 years.

• Jennifer Stukey, Wasilla, Board of Nursing. Stukey is the Chief Operations Officer of Narcotic Drug Treatment Center Inc. in Anchorage. A licensed practical nurse, she has experience in substance abuse treatment and prioritizing treatment for pregnant heroin addicts.

• Richard Holt, Wasilla, Board of Pharmacy. Holt is the Market Health and Wellness Director for Walmart of Alaska. He holds a doctor of pharmacy degree from Albany College of Pharmacy and a master of business administration from Northeastern University. Holt is a licensed pharmacist in Alaska, New York and Florida.

• Melody Mann, Wasilla, Professional Teaching Practices Commission. Mann, who serves as chair of the commission, is an art teacher at Colony High School and holds a master of art education degree from Ohio State University. She has been a teacher in the state since 1988. Part of the Department of Education and Early Development, the commission serves as an ethics group for the state’s teachers.

“The people who step forward to serve on state boards and commissions commit their time and resources to make Alaska a better place to live and work,” Walker said in a press release. “I appreciate lawmakers making a concerted effort to review and vet each of my appointments, and approving them.”