The Observer, December 2003

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Alyeska Viewpoint: SERVS changes align organization with mission of oil-spill preparedness

By Greg Jones
Senior Vice President
Operations and Maintenance
Alyeska Pipeline Service Co.

In several past Observer columns I have written about the continuing challenge to Alyeska to perform its work more cost-effectively, while continuing to achieve its operational, safety and environmental objectives. The recent realignment of the SERVS organization is another step in that direction – this time in the important mission of oil spill preparedness, prevention and response. Although the total number of SERVS employees remains the same, we believe the changes will deliver improved business performance in all aspects of our work.

Our goals are straightforward. We wanted to organize SERVS so that, where possible, business activities are the responsibility of one group. We intend to improve our ability to evaluate compliance by identifying and assigning a compliance assurance function within SERVS. We seek to balance the workload among the SERVS manager’s direct reports. We also want to dedicate personnel to handle the many requests that come from outside SERVS for information, resources, and analyses.

What are the changes? The two operations groups (Response Operations and Vessel Operations) are being merged into one, reflecting internal and stakeholder expectations for SERVS operations. This establishes clear lines with respect to decision-making authority and continuity in the day-to-day operations, including drills and exercises. The Maintenance Supervisor position is being changed to Maintenance and Logistics Manager and will be a direct report to the SERVS Manager. This reflects the importance and dollar value of the SERVS maintenance activity.

The Senior Preparedness Advisor has been renamed the Programs Advisor and made a direct report to the SERVS Manager. The SERVS Advisor position has been changed from a business management focus to an operational one to provide additional support for our operations missions. Two new positions have been created: Compliance Assurance Supervisor reporting to the Compliance and Preparedness Manager; and an additional Response Coordinator. These replace one of the Operations Manager positions and an Editor position. In addition the Marine Superintendent has been made a direct report to the SERVS Manager.

These changes at SERVS more closely align the organization with its activities to help SERVS manage its core business more effectively and efficiently. The SERVS realignment is an extension of the company-wide realignment that was completed last year.

The new SERVS organizational structure has been posted internally and shared with agency and industry stakeholders and the citizens’ council. However, SERVS is managing this organizational change in a deliberate manner, and until all positions are filled the existing organizational chart remains in effect, to be updated as changes are effected. Our focus remains on maintaining SERVS’ ability to fulfill its preparedness, prevention and – where required – response objectives throughout the transition to a more effective organizational structure. The realignment has not caused any SERVS employees to lose their jobs.

The SERVS organizational change reflects the importance of the work that SERVS employees do every day. SERVS employees have demonstrated their ability to stay focused and to carry out their work during this transition through a busy summer of exercises and from the results of the recent unannounced call-out exercise.

Tankers continue to load oil at the Valdez Marine Terminal and to transit safely through Prince William Sound. Maintenance and upkeep continue on a daily basis on the SERVS fleet of tugs, response barges and support vessels, and on SERVS’ unsurpassed inventory of response equipment. Inquiries on prevention or response issues come every day from industry and government alike. The expectation of readiness is ever present should SERVS be called upon to respond.

In the end, people are the key assets of any business, and SERVS is no exception. The test for an organizational structure is whether it empowers – not hinders -- the people who do the work. We believe the new organizational alignment at SERVS will enable a world class organization to perform even better.