July 24, 2002
Wednesday - 12:40 am

Saying they bring more than two centuries of hunting experience and a broad understanding of the diverse interests by which Alaskans value our game resources, Gov. Tony Knowles today appointed five new members to the State Board of Game, including several with previous Game Board experience.

"These five long-time Alaskans have well over 200 years of hunting experience and several decades of experience on the game board itself," Knowles said. "I have selected them for that expertise and their thorough understanding of Alaska game issues. I have complete respect for their willingness to volunteer to serve the public by taking on this often difficult task."

The five individuals chosen for the Game Board include:

Vic Van Ballenberghe of Anchorage, a 50-year hunter and former Game Board member under Gov.'s Sheffield and Knowles. Van Ballenberghe is currently retired after a 35-year career as a research biologist for state and federal wildlife agencies and has been an Alaska resident for 28 years.

Joel Bennett of Juneau previously served on the Game Board for 13 years through several administrations. An experienced Alaska hunter for over 34 years for a variety of big game species, Bennett is also a wildlife cinematographer. He has a law degree, is licensed to practice in Alaska, and worked for the Alaska Legislature for 8 years on natural resource legal issues. Bennett has been an Alaska resident since 1968 and currently works part time as state representative for Defenders of Wildlife.

Jack Lentfer of Homer also served on the Game Board under Gov. Cowper. An avid hunter in Alaska for 45 years, Lentfer held the record for the third largest Dall sheep with the Boone and Crockett club for many years. Currently retired, he has 24 years of experience as a biologist and administrator at both the state and federal levels since territorial days and worked 14 years as an independent wildlife consultant. An Alaska resident since 1957, Lentfer is a past member of the Marine Mammal Commission.

Rob Hardy of Wasilla is an experienced hunter, trapper, registered big game guide and owner of Bucking Horse Ranch in the Talkeetna mountains. A 32-year Alaska resident, Hardy is a member of Alaska Professional Hunters Association and the Alaska Wilderness, Recreation & Tourism Association, and is a former member of the Homer and Mat-Su Fish and Game Advisory Committees.

Tim Towarak of Unalakleet is a lifelong Alaska resident, a subsistence hunter and fisherman, former mayor of Unalakleet, and current president of the Bering Straits Native Corp. Towarak has worked as a commercial fisherman; and for Kawarak, the Norton Sound Fisherman's Coop, and Bering Straits School District. He is a Vietnam veteran and graduate of the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

The seven-member Board of Game is responsible for the conservation and development of Alaska's game resources. Members are appointed on the basis of interest in public affairs, good judgement, knowledge, and ability in the field of action of the board, and with a view to providing diversity of interest and points of view in the membership.

Knowles appointees fill vacancies left when the Legislature refused to vote on five appointees to the board during its most recent session. The Legislature's inaction had the effect of rejecting their confirmations and left the Game Board without a quorum with which to conduct its business.

Source of News Release:

Office of the Governor
Web Site

 

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