September 27, 2013, Juneau, Alaska – Governor Sean Parnell today announced appointments to the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Alaska Public Broadcasting Commission, Alaska Historical Commission, State Vocational Rehabilitation Committee, Education Commission of the States, and State Council on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.

Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Governor Parnell reappointed Susan Cushing to the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. The council provides planning and coordination of services to victims of domestic violence or sexual assault and their families, as well as to perpetrators, and provides crisis intervention and prevention programs.

Cushing, of Homer, previously worked as a behavior health aide for the Seldovia Village Tribe and as a child care development coordinator for Chugachmiut Head Start. Now retired, Cushing is active in her community and has previously served on the Homer Council on the Arts, Homer Foundation City Grants Review Board, and the South Peninsula Hospital Board. She holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Claremont Colleges and the University of San Francisco. Cushing is reappointed to a public seat.

Alaska Public Broadcasting Commission

Governor Parnell appointed Michelle O’Brien to the Alaska Public Broadcasting Commission. The commission encourages and supervises development of the integrated state public broadcasting system and recommends grant funding for programs.

O’Brien, of Ketchikan, is the producer of local television for KPU CommVision. She actively serves the community as a member of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Board of Education, Alliance for Community Media Northwest, Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce, First City Rotary, and First City Homeless Services. O’Brien is the recipient of multiple “Best of the Northwest Awards” for community involvement, empowerment, and best documentary. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Hillsdale College. O’Brien is appointed to a public seat.

Alaska Historical Commission

Governor Parnell reappointed Doug Veltre and Jonathon Ross to the Alaska Historical Commission. The commission advises the governor and Legislature on matters relating to Alaska’s history and prehistory, oversees the state historic preservation plan, and performs a variety of other functions related to historical sites throughout the state.

Veltre, of Anchorage, is a professor emeritus of anthropology with UAA, where he has taught full time for 33 years. He is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Arctic Institute of North America, the Alaska Anthropological Association, and the Alaska Historical Society. Having performed archaeological and anthropological research in Alaska for 42 years, Veltre is reappointed to a seat reserved for an archaeologist.

Ross, of Anchorage, is president and consultant for Tsiltan Management Group and Language Insights, Limited. He currently serves as a member for Kahtnuht’ana Development Corporation, Salmatof Native Association, and is the chair for Cook Inlet Native Head Start. Ross is the former president and CEO of the Alaska Native Heritage Center. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and counseling from Toccoa Falls College. Ross is reappointed to a seat representing indigenous ethnic groups.

State Vocational Rehabilitation Committee

Governor Parnell appointed Bob Purvis and Barbara Neeson to the State Vocational Rehabilitation Committee. The committee promotes statewide interest in the rehabilitation and employment of people with disabilities.

Purvis, of Sitka, is the owner of Low Vision Tech Support, providing technology and computer access training for low-vision individuals. He is a retired professor for the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) and a former substitute teacher for the Sitka School District. Purvis is a member and chair of Southeast Alaska Independent Living. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education from Western Washington University, a master’s degree in counseling from Seattle University, and a doctorate from the University of Texas, Austin. Purvis is appointed to the committee as a community rehabilitation program provider.

Neeson, of Anchorage, is a parent navigator for Stone Soup Group. She previously worked as a disabilities specialist for Kids’ Corps Inc. Head Start, and was the director for Clare House and Beyond Shelter. Neeson serves on the board of directors for NeighborWorks Anchorage, and is a member of the Anchorage Community Homeless Coalition and the Parent Teacher Association Bring the Kids Home Board. She is appointed to represent a parent training and information center.

Education Commission of the States

Governor Parnell reappointed Nancy Norman to the Education Commission of the States. The commission works to help states develop effective policy and practice for public education by providing data, research, analysis and leadership, and by facilitating collaboration, exchange of ideas among the states, and long-range strategic thinking.

Norman, of Juneau, is a former teacher with more than 30 years of classroom experience in both regular and special education. She has taught in all grades, mostly in Alaskan communities. Norman currently works as a private education consultant, helping superintendents, principals, and teachers improve student learning. She served as a senior presenter for the Alaska Staff Development Network; conducted professional development for school districts throughout Alaska, the Lower 48, and overseas; taught at the university level; and presented at numerous state and national conferences. Norman is the recipient of several national and state awards, including Alaska’s Teacher of the Year, the U.S. Department of Education Christa McAuliffe Fellowship, the Milken National Educator Award, and the Alaska PTA Outstanding Educator Award. She is reappointed to an at-large seat.

State Council on Educational Opportunity for Military Children

Governor Parnell appointed Adele Daniels to the State Council on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. The council works to provide for the coordination among state government agencies, local education agencies, and military installations in order to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families because of frequent moves and deployment of their parents.

Daniels, of Eagle River, is a school liaison officer for JBER. She serves as the military liaison for the Anchorage School District and the Anchorage School Business Partnership Advisory Board. Daniels is also a parent to parent program sponsor for the Military Child Education Coalition. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Columbus State University and is pursuing a master’s degree in career and technical education. Daniels is appointed as a key stakeholder to the council.