Oceana | Protecting the World's Oceans

Vice President, Pacific, Executive

Based in: Juneau, AK, USA

Seabirds, Humpbacks and Orcas

I’ve lived in Alaska for 25 years, most of them here in Juneau. I can’t imagine living anywhere else. I spend a lot of time in and around the ocean- I swim in it every year (a very invigorating experience), I ride the ferry system, I go fishing and boating with friends. My dog and I spend a lot of time on the beach. There are tons of birds to watch, and it’s not uncommon to see humpbacks and orcas while you’re walking along the shoreline.

A Watershed Event

I’d say that the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989 was one of the watershed events in my life. It happened in March, just as many of the migratory marine animals were returning to the area, and it was a tremendous blow to them and the rest of the environment. It was devastating to see. Beginning in 1990, I spent four years as the Executive of the Exxon Valdez Trustee Council, dealing with the recovery and restoration of the area. After that I worked for seven years as Governor Tony Knowles’ Chief of Staff where I continued to become more involved in environmental and ocean concerns. We formed an “ocean and watershed cabinet” to develop protective strategies. One of our biggest successes was making Alaska the first state in the union to pass legislation protecting the oceans from cruise ship dumping.

Responsible for the Next Generation

I’m drawn to the ocean because it makes me feel complete. It reminds me of who I am. Also, the more I learn, the more I realize how important the oceans are to the entire planet- from oxygen to protein to water. We’re all part of the oceans and we depend on them for life itself. Our primary responsibility is to the next generation. We must do our best to preserve ocean resources and give them the tools to fix what we have damaged.