Patricia Belle “Pat” Branson

Branson has been a tireless advocate representing the needs of Kodiak on local, state, and national levels. As Mayor of the City of Kodiak and Chief Executive Officer for Senior Citizens of Kodiak, she has led innovative programs that provide daily meals, added Island Cove adult day program, respite, chore, case management and for KATS, the area-wide public transit for all Kodiak residents.
She actively champions the arts in Kodiak and has done so since she first arrived in 1982. She was a columnist for the Kodiak Daily Mirror’s Horizon Line and Cinema Critique columns. Branson has been an on-air volunteer for KMXT, Kodiak’s Public Radio station and has served on the Kodiak Arts Council Board of Directors and Kodiak Historical Society.
Most recently Mayor Branson worked with the Alutiiq Museum to set aside city property in the heart of downtown Kodiak for a park to honor the Alutiiq people of Kodiak, whose ancestors were the first people to inhabit the Kodiak Island Archipelago more than 10,000 years ago.
She ahs served as Mayor of the City of Kodiak since 2011, on the Kodiak City Council in 2010 and on the Kodiak Borough assembly from 1998-2010. For her public service she recently received the Jay Rabinowitz Public Service award from the Alaska Bar Foundation.

Alaska –
Branson has made significant contributions to the State of Alaska, as a governor-appointed member of many State boards and commissions. She served on the Alaska Commission on Aging for eight years, advocating for senior citizens across the state. She also has supported improvements for public transportation while serving on the Public Transportation Board. She served on the Marine Highway Transportation Advisory Board as well and for seven years advocated for coastal communities ’needs and the State of Alaska Marine Highway System.
Branson also is a board member and treasurer of AgeNet, Alaska Geriatric Exchange Network, the statewide advocacy group for senior services. She sits on The Foraker Group Board of Directors and has served as its president. She serves on the Providence Alaska Regional Board, Providence Alaska Foundation, and has been chair of the Providence Kodiak Community Advisory Council for more than 20 years.
Branson has been involved with the Alaska Municipal League for years and has served as President and now serves as Past President. She received the Vic Fischer Local Government Leadership Award from her municipal colleagues.
She received a sabbatical in 2006 from the Rasmuson Foundation in its second year of availability and served on the Foundation’s Sabbatical Review Committee for 10 years.
National –
Branson advocates for services for senior citizens across the country. With more than 34 years of experience serving seniors in rural Alaska, her guidance is invaluable when discussing national senior center directives. She currently serves on the executive committee of the National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC), an affiliate of the National Council on Aging, and is chair of its public policy committee. She has served on NISC accreditation board and is a national accreditation peer reviewer and serves on the NISC Leadership Collaborative, representing Alaska. She received The Founder’s Award from NISC for her advocacy efforts for seniors across the country.
Branson is married to Gordon Jay Gould since 1982 after meeting in a bookstore in Portland. Gould flew to Kodiak in April of 1982, Branson followed in September, and they were married there.