Five members of Alaska Department of Fish and Game advisory boards, including Tom Carpenter of Cordova, have been honored with Excellence in Service awards for their leadership on local fish and game advisory committees.
Carpenter has served for over 22 years on the Copper River/Prince William Sound Advisory Committee as its lead on wildlife issues. He was cited for keeping careful track of issues relevant to stakeholders in his community
ADF&G also recognized him for keeping Cordova’s voice in wildlife issues strong and clear in a community dominated by fisheries issues. Carpenter has connections within many diverse groups and users feel they can approach him with concerns to receive adequate consideration, agency officials said.
Torie Baker, who for years was the Cordova agent for Alaska Sea Grant, had her own special kudos for Carpenter.
“Congratulations on this well-deserved award, Tom,” Baker said. “Your leadership over the last 20+ years on the AC has set the bar for everyone, and your dedication to finding clear, thoughtful solutions continues to benefit the healthy terrestrial and marine resources we all rely on.”
Also recognized were Marty Weiser and Kevin Taylor, both of the Anchorage advisory committee; Mike Tinker of Fairbanks, and Jacob Ivanoff and Wes Jones of the Southern Norton Sound advisory committee.
Weiser, chief development officer of Copper River Seafoods, has a background in commercial fishing and sport fish guiding. He was recognized for bringing diverse groups together and clear communications with the general public.
Taylor was cited for quickly filling a vacancy when the past chair of the Anchorage advisory committee stepped down, so that the committee did not lose ground during the board cycle, and for his professionalism and efficiency in running meetings.
Tinker, who has served on the Fairbanks advisory committee off and on for over 30 years, was recognized for his demonstrated concern for resource and user groups.
Ivanoff and Jones were cited for providing leadership and guidance to keep their region’s voice active when some long-standing members of the committee stepped down, and for their dedication to the advisory committee process.
More than 700 Alaskans overall belong to 84 advisory committees throughout the state, contributing to a locally driven fish and game management system that responds to local needs. The awards were announced on Dec. 19 by ADF&G Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang.
