Unalaska, AK – Today, the joint board of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game met to finalize its list of candidates for the position of commissioner. The joint board determined that both acting commissioner Cora Campbell and former Board of Game chair Ron Somerville are qualified to run the department.

This ends ADFG's involvement in the appointment process. The department accepted applications for the position of commissioner through the fall, but only Campbell and Somerville submitted their names. The two sat for interviews with the joint board and discussed their experience in resource management.

Ted Spraker is a member of the Board of Game who sits on the joint board subcommittee. He says that he was initially surprised by the lack of applicants.

"I participated last time we had a commissioner selection, and I think we had eight resumes to choose from," says Spraker.

But he says that a two-candidate list is sufficient if both are qualified. He says that each has different strengths and would be able to lead the department. When talking about Somerville, Spraker stresses his experience.

"I've known Ron since 1974. He's worked for Fish and Game for 24 years, and I served with him on the Board of Game for five years," says Spraker. "As far as his qualifications, he's clearly the most qualified."

Meanwhile, Spraker says that Campbell, who has worked with Governor Sean Parnell and who has received his support to run ADFG, is intelligent and possesses a good knowledge of fisheries and how the department operates. Spraker says that there was some criticism of the 31-year-old Campbell because of her age, but he says that she performed well during the interviews and has already made good choices as acting commissioner.

"I was very impressed with her extensive knowledge of the working with the government and all its different programs," says Spraker.

The governor must now name a commissioner and send that name on to the legislature for approval.