Israel Payton of Wasilla has been reappointed to the Alaska Board of Fisheries, and Gerad Godfrey, Karl Johnstone and Marit Carlson-Van Dort appointed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
Payton, of Wasilla, was raised in Skwentna, where he lived a subsistence lifestyle harvesting fish and game. He is currently employed by Airframes Alaska, the state’s largest manufacturer and seller of aviation parts.
Godfrey, of Eagle River, who will replace board member Robert Ruffner of Soldotna, grew up commercial fishing in Kodiak Island, and has worked for Afognak Native Corp. since 2009, most recently becoming the vice chair of the firm’s board of directors.
Johnstone, of Anchorage, who is retired as the presiding judge of the Alaska Superior Court, previously served as a member and chairman of the Board of Fisheries from 2008-2015. He will replace Al Cain, of Anchorage, a retired Alaska State Trooper with the Department of Public Safety, Division of Fish & Wildlife Protection, now the Division of Alaska Wildlife Troopers.
Carlson-Van Dort, of Anchorage, has spent over a decade salmon seining and holds a degree in conservation biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has done graduate work in fisheries science and secondary education. She is currently the director of external affairs for NANA Regional Corp. She will replace board member Orville Huntington, of Huslia.
Peyton will continue to serve, being joined by Johnstone and Carlson-Van Dort, while Godfrey will take his seat on July 1.
