President picks Benton for Arctic commission

President Obama today announced his intent to appoint David Benton, of Juneau, to the U.S. Arctic Research Commission.

From the White House press release:

David Benton is currently a self-employed marine resource consultant. From 2004 to 2010, he served as Executive Director of the Marine Conservation Alliance. From 2001 to 2003 and again from 2006 to 2009, Mr. Benton served on the North Pacific Research Board. From 2000 to 2003, he served as the Chair of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. Previously, he held a number of positions in the Alaskan government, including serving as the Deputy Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game from 1994 to 2000. In 1999, Mr. Benton was appointed to be a United States Commissioner on the U.S.-Canada Pacific Salmon Commission. Mr. Benton volunteers as President of the Alaska Lighthouse Association and is involved in restoring Point Retreat Lighthouse on Admiralty Island. Mr. Benton received a B.A. with a double major in Coastal Resources Planning and Biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Here's a press release from U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, who recommended Benton to the White House.