A 14-member joint Board of Fisheries and Board of Game meeting has voted to interview just one of the four applicants being considered for the position of commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
During a Wednesday meeting, board members considered — and rejected unanimously — two applicants Matt Moore and Zachery Hill. However, when candidate and Kenai Peninsula resident Roland Maw’s name came up, the boards were split.
Several members of the Board of Game supported Maw’s name for further consideration, while members of the Board of Fisheries remained silent. Maw received unanimous support from the Board of Game, however he was unanimously rejected by the Board of Fisheries. In order to continue in the interviewing process — Maw had to receive a majority vote from both boards.
Acting commissioner Sam Cotten, of Eagle River, is the only applicant to be chosen for interview. You can listen to the interview and review resumes and supporting documentation here.
Under Alaska statute, the joint board is required to submit a list of qualified nominees to the governor, who can ask for additional candidates and must eventually select a commisioner. The governor’s selection must then be confirmed by the Legislature.
A fifth applicant, Greg Woods, withdrew his name from consideration.
Reach Rashah McChesney at rashah.mcchesney@peninsulaclarion.com
