Kodiak’s state Rep. Alan Austerman moved up in the state Republican party hierarchy last week at a party caucus meeting in Fairbanks.

In the upcoming legislative session he will serve as majority whip, charged with directing the party on the house floor and assisting the majority leader.

Austerman replaces Eagle River Republican Rep. Nancy Dahlstrom chair. Dahlstrom moved up to chair the Rules Committee, replacing former state Rep. John C. Coghill who moves over to the Senate.

Austerman was elected to the state House in November 2008. In the 1990s he served Kodiak for stints in both the Alaska House and Senate.