Fish farmer appointed to ecology panel

A fish farmer is the newest member of the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson appointed Mike Freeze to replace John Chamberlain, who served on the commission for nearly nine years, the governor's office announced Wednesday. Chamberlain has a background in agriculture but spent a considerable portion of his later career in technology.

Freeze, 65, is vice president and co-owner of Keo Fish Farms, a position he has held for 32 years, according to the governor's news release. He has served as a member of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Arkansas Development Finance Authority's board of directors in the past.

Freeze of Little Rock has a bachelor's degree in fisheries and wildlife from Arkansas Tech University and a master's degree in biology from Murray State University, the release said.

The commission is the appellate and rule-making body of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality and members often question department officials about department goings-on.

Commissioners from Arkansas' four congressional districts, such as Freeze, are paid $85 per meeting and receive reimbursement for travel. Commissioners who are agency directors do not receive payment or travel reimbursement.

Freeze's term expires March 29, 2021.

Metro on 02/22/2018

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