Staff news Archives | Page 4 of 7 | Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council

Swanson resigns as head of citizens’ council

January 29, 2016November 25, 2015 by Amanda Johnson

Mark Swanson has resigned as executive director of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council. His resignation was unanimously accepted by the council board November 24 during a telephonic meeting.

While the board works to seek a permanent replacement, Donna Schantz, the organization’s director of programs, will serve as acting executive director.

“On behalf of the council, I’d like to thank Mark for his service to the organization,” said board President Amanda Bauer. “We wish him the very best in the future.”

Joe Banta marks twenty-five years of service to the council

September 16, 2015 by Amanda Johnson

On October 1, 1990, Joe Banta started a new job managing oil spill planning projects for a young organization, the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council.

“It was really amazing and rewarding to work for an organization like ours, especially in the early, formative days,” Banta said. “The energy was electric. There was a sense of urgency to make the council work, and get the organization’s structure up and running.”

Prior to joining the council, Banta witnessed the oil spill first hand as a Cordova fisherman and helped with the spill response, rescuing oiled wildlife.

Banta has been with the council for 25 years this October. He now works mostly with the council’s Scientific Advisory Committee and manages the council’s environmental monitoring projects.

New staff member has deep ties to Alaska

July 22, 2015July 22, 2015 by Amanda Johnson

The council recently welcomed Shawna Popovici to the Anchorage staff.

Popovici has lived in Anchorage since 2005, but previously lived in several Alaska communities: Soldotna, Seward, Kodiak and the Juneau area.

Popovici’s grandfather first came to Alaska in 1946 as a missionary in Ketchikan and southeast Alaska. Her parents met in Juneau, and her father, a Coast Guard captain, worked for the VECO Corporation as a contractor helping clean up the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

Anchorage and Valdez offices welcome new staff members

January 19, 2015September 23, 2014 by Amanda Johnson

Over the summer, the council said goodbye to two staffers and welcomed two new staff members to take their place.