ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Few people may have applied to become Alaska’s next Fish and Game commissioner because the acting commissioner is among the four applicants, according to officials involved in Gov. Bill Walker’s transition efforts.
“If I was applying for that job and I knew there was already a guy selected by the governor, I would think twice about putting my name in,” said Ted Spraker, the chairman of the state Board of Game.
Sam Cotten was named interim commissioner on the same day Walker took the oath of office.
By law, the governor must appoint a commissioner from a list of qualified people nominated by the boards of fisheries and game, meeting in joint session.
The boards are planning a joint meeting in January to vet the four applicants, Alaska Dispatch News reported. The governor retains the right to request additional nominations.
The state Legislature has final approval of the governor’s choice.
Besides Cotten, the others who applied for the position are United Cook Inlet Drift Association director Roland Maw and two people from outside the state, Zachary Hill and Greg Woods.
Hill is a postdoctoral researcher in pharmaceutical chemistry at the University of California, San Francisco. Woods is a South Carolina-based terminal operations manager for a trucking and railroad company. Both outside candidates have been residents of Alaska.
Spraker said Cotten is clearly qualified for the job and the joint board likely will send his name forward. Boards have forwarded several names in the past, however, he added.
“The board is going to take a very careful look at each of the candidates,” he said.
Potential candidates might have considered Cotten’s appointment when deciding whether to apply for the position, acknowledged Walker’s transition coordinator, Bruce Botelho.
“The fact remains that the department requires leadership, and someone with the ability to do the job was required. And the governor identified Sam Cotten to be that person,” Botelho said. “I think the governor intends to fully examine whatever names are put forth by the joint boards.”
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