November 18, 2011, Anchorage, Alaska – Governor Sean Parnell Friday announced appointments to the Alaska Commission on Aging, Alaska Safety Advisory Council, Alaska Workforce Investment Board, Board of Nursing, Board of Veterinary Examiners, Fire Standards Council, Real Estate Commission, State Vocational Rehabilitation Committee, and the Statewide Independent Living Council.

Alaska Commission on Aging

Governor Parnell appointed Sandi Doyle to the Alaska Commission on Aging. The commission approves a comprehensive statewide plan that identifies the concerns and needs of older Alaskans, and prepares for the governor and Legislature an annual analysis of the services that are provided to older Alaskans.

Doyle, of Fairbanks, is the president and administrator of Caring Bridges Assisted Living Home Inc., where she’s worked since 2007. A geriatric care nurse, Doyle has been active in the care of the elderly since 1965. She holds a degree in nursing from the University of Alaska Anchorage. Doyle is appointed to a seat reserved for a member of the public.

Alaska Safety Advisory Council

Governor Parnell appointed Kirk Jackson to the Safety Advisory Council. The council works with organizations to promote safety so that resources can be marshaled and used to reduce the menace of accidental death and injury.

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 appointed to a seat reserved for a member of the labor community.

Alaska Workforce Investment Board

Governor Parnell appointed Chas Edwardson and Dawn Salesky, and reappointed Krisha Ross to the Alaska Workforce Investment Board. The board works to develop and oversee the implementation of a comprehensive state human resource investment system, and to promote an integrated system of employment education and training programs so that all Alaskans have the skills and opportunities necessary to earn a living wage, and to meet the future business needs of the state.

Edwardson, of Ketchikan, is the workforce development and vocational director for Southern Southeast Alaska Technical Education Center. Since 2002, he has also worked as an adjunct faculty member for the University of Alaska Ketchikan Construction Academy. Active in the community, Edwardson is a member of the Ketchikan Indian Community Board of Directors, a former president and vice chairman of the Ketchikan Homebuilders Board of Directors, and is the incoming president of the Alaska State Homebuilders Association. Edwardson is appointed to a seat for a member of an organization representing employment and training needs of Alaska Natives.

Salesky, of Nome, serves as the vice president of the Education, Employment and Training Division at Kawerak, Inc., the Bering Straits Regional non-profit corporation established by the Bering Straits Native Association where she started her career as an intern in 1989. Prior to joining Kawerak, Inc., Salesky worked as an interpreter with the U.S. National Park Service and U.S. Conservation Corps. She earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in rural development from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Salesky previously served as a member of the Denali Commission Training Advisory Council, and as the chair of the Alaska Native Coalition on Employment and Training. She is appointed to a seat reserved for an individual with a background in adult basic education.

Ross, of Anchorage, has worked for 13 years in the transportation industry, and is currently the human resources manager for Carlile Transportation Systems, Inc., an Alaskan logistics and transportation company. She has worked as a legal secretary and holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Montana. Ross is reappointed to a seat that represents the private sector.

Board of Nursing

Governor Parnell appointed Lavern Valdez to the Board of Nursing. The board regulates and approves applications for licenses and permits, and manages the practice of nursing in Alaska.

Valdez, of Fairbanks, is the assistant administrator and nurse manager for Caring Bridges Assisted Living Home, where she has worked since 2004. Prior to that, she worked as a nurse for the Fairbanks Veterans Affairs clinic and as a nurse consultant for Developmental Disability Resource of Lakewood, Colorado. She earned her nursing degree from Southern Colorado University, and is appointed to a seat for a licensed practical nurse.

Board of Veterinary Examiners

Governor Parnell appointed Tamara Rose to the Board of Veterinary Examiners. The board regulates and controls applications, licenses, and permits of veterinarians and veterinarian technicians.

Rose, of Fairbanks, is the owner of T. Rose Veterinary Service and the co-owner of Lu Lu’s Bread and Bagels. A member of the Interior Veterinarians Association, Rose is a former veterinarian at the Aurora Animal Clinic in Fairbanks. She holds a doctorate in veterinary medicine and a master’s in ecology from the University of California at Davis. She is appointed to a seat reserved for a veterinarian.

Fire Standards Council

Governor Parnell appointed James Crisp and reappointed Bryan “Buddy” Lane to the Fire Standards Council. The council establishes minimum training and performance standards for certification of fire services personnel and training programs.

Crisp, of Nikiski, is the senior captain and training and safety officer for the Nikiski Fire Department where he has worked since 2002. He has 17 years of experience in fire and emergency services. From 1996-2002, he was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard. After leaving the Coast Guard, he became an instructor with the Alaska Fire Education Bureau and Beacon Occupational Health and Safety. Crisp is appointed to a seat reserved for a firefighter.

Lane has worked for the North Pole fire department since 1977, and became the chief of the department in 2000. An active member of his community, he is involved with the Alaska Fire Chiefs Association and the Interior Fire Chiefs Association. Lane is reappointed to a seat reserved for a chief administrative officer of a fire department.

Real Estate Commission

Governor Parnell appointed Stacy Risner to the Real Estate Commission. The commission regulates and controls licensing, suspensions, and revocations of Alaska’s real estate industry.

Risner, of Fairbanks, is an associate broker and director of operations for Madden Real Estate. She is the president of the Fairbanks Neighborhood Housing Services Board of Directors and a member of the Fairbanks Children’s Museum Board of Directors. She also served as the association executive for the Greater Fairbanks Board of Realtors and as a legal secretary. Risner is appointed to a seat reserved for a broker or associate broker from Alaska’s fourth judicial district.

State Vocational Rehabilitation Committee

Governor Parnell appointed Shaunta Brown to the State Vocational Rehabilitation Committee. The committee promotes employment of people with disabilities by creating statewide interest, and consults with the Alaska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation regarding the provision of vocational rehabilitation services.

Brown, of Anchorage, is the Parent Training and Information Center director and the project coordinator for the Alaska 360 Military Family Support Project at Stone Soup Group, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping those with disabilities. After retiring from the U.S. Navy where she served from 1985-2005 as the director of health services, Brown worked as a care coordinator for Hope Community Resources, Inc.; as a patient advocate at Walter Reed Army Medical Center; and in a variety of other service-related roles. She earned a master’s degree in human services with a specialization in health care administration from Capella University. Brown is appointed to a seat reserved for a member of a Parent Training and Information Center.

Statewide Independent Living Council

Governor Parnell appointed Shauna Beeman to the Statewide Independent Living Council.The council develops and submits the state plan for independent living for specific disability populations, and monitors, reviews, and evaluates the plan’s implementation.

Beeman, of Anchorage, is the Home Alliance Coordinator for Hope Community Resources, Inc., a role she took on in 2009. She first joined Hope Community Resources, Inc. in 1999, shortly before completing her bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of Alaska Southeast. Beeman is appointed to a seat reserved for a consumer of or advocate for services for Alaskans with special needs.