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Senate committee recommends three reappointments to Big Game Commercial Services Board
Summary
The Senate Resources Committee reviewed and recommended three governor's appointees — Aaron Bloomquist, Martin Boniak, and Keaton McCarthy — for forwarding to a joint session. Committee members questioned appointees about board independence and disclosed past infractions during the hearing.
The Senate Resources Committee on April 11 reviewed three governor's reappointments to the Big Game Commercial Services Board and voted to forward their names to a joint session for consideration.
Chair Senator Elizabeth Giesel summarized the board's composition and requirements for confirmation before calling the three nominees. Aaron Bloomquist, calling in from Wasilla/Palmer, identified himself as a licensed guide, the board's current chairman, and a long‑time participant on advisory committees. Members asked Bloomquist about maintaining the board's independence; he said the board "has been really very independent" during his tenure and described a diverse makeup that includes guides, transporters and public members.
Martin Boniak introduced himself as operator of Veil Air Services, an air-transport operator and licensed transporter. Boniak said transporters and air taxis play a distinct role on the board and said he had not observed outside pressure on the board in his experience.
Keaton McCarthy (appearing as "Keaton" on the record) described a long history in commercial fishing and guiding and acknowledged prior enforcement matters. When asked by Senator Clayman about criminal convictions, McCarthy disclosed a 2006–2007 DEC violation related to permitting during a commercial fishing operation that led to probation and a suspended imposition of sentence; he said he completed probation and has had no further major violations. McCarthy also described a later $100 fine over a bear‑sealing paperwork issue, which he said he treated as a small administrative penalty and resolved promptly.
After taking public testimony (none offered) and with no objections raised, Senator Wilikowski moved that the committee recommend forwarding the names of Aaron Bloomquist, Martin Boniak and Keaton McCarthy to the joint session; the committee adopted the motion and closed public testimony on the appointments. The chair noted committee paperwork for the confirmations would be signed after the meeting.
