Appointment

Bowman

Patricia "Pat" Bowman of Key West is now chair of Florida Keys Council of the Arts.

She is executive assistant to Bill Andersen of the Andersen Firm (a past chair emeritus). Before moving to the Keys in 2003, Pat was executive director at the Rose Center and Council of the Arts, serving a nine-county rural region, and a systems analyst for Martin-Lockheed in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

The Florida Keys Council of the Arts has been designated by the board of county commissioners as the local arts agency as provided by Florida Statute. The nominating committee is currently accepting recommendations for the advisory board. Interested persons should contact any board member or the executive director, Liz Young.

Graduation

Forest Rangers

From the left, David Cromie of Bahia Honda State Park, Patrick Cochran of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Monica Woll of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail, Tony Knott of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail, Jeff Naylor of Bahia Honda State Park and Robin Tangen of Islamorada Area State Parks are the six Keys park rangers recently graduated from the Florida Park Service Ranger Academy held at Wekiwa Springs in Apopka on April 23.

Award

Gander

Navy Lt. Mark P. Gander -- whose wife, Kelly, is the daughter of Susan and Fred R. Cabanas of Key West -- is currently attached to the Patrol Squadron (VP) 10 homeported in Jacksonville and was recently awarded the 2011 Aviation Battle Efficiency (Battle "E") from Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF).

The aviation Battle "E" is the Navy's top performance award presented to the aircraft carrier and aviation squadron in each competitive category that achieves the highest standards of performance readiness and efficiency. Grading metrics for attaining the Battle "E" award include operational achievement, training, inspection accomplishments, material and personnel readiness, aviation safety, weapon systems and tactics development, and contributions to the aviation community.

Each member attached to a winning ship or squadron earns the right to wear the Battle "E" ribbon on their uniform, or if they already posses that ribbon, they can add an additional "E" device to the ribbon.