The Observer, September 2007
Two in, one out; council staff is now at full strength
Thanks to some summer hiring, the citizens’ council is fully staffed for the first time in almost two years.
Chris Jones started work on Aug. 13 as maritime operations program manager. The position had been open since Bill Abbott left it last year.
Jones, 34, has a master’s degree in environmental science from Western Washington University. Before joining the council staff, he was an oil spill policy advisor to Washington’s Makah Tribal Council, working on such issues as prevention and response tugs for Neah Bay; federal and state contingency planning; Coast Guard rules on salvage, firefighting, and vessel response plans; and the protection of ocean fisheries for the tribe.
He also has a background with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hazmat Division and Sanctuary Program in oil-spill response preparedness and contingency planning. He has lived in California and Hawaii where he worked with whales, seabirds, sea turtles, and other marine life as a NOAA fisheries observer.
Jones said he’s been trying to find a way to move to Alaska for ten years. “I would like to strengthen the prevention system we have in place here, which represents how oil should be responsibly transported through environmentally sensitive areas,” he said.
When not working, he likes hiking, boating, skiing, ocean sailing, and exploring Alaska’s interior with his brother, who is working on a doctorate in fisheries at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. His girlfriend, Amy Trainer, an attorney and planner, will be moving to Valdez to join him.
The council’s other new hire is Denise Schanbeck, who started Aug. 6 as administrative assistant in the Valdez office. Most recently, she was executive assistant to the president of Prince William Sound Community College.
Her background is in emergency management and disaster planning. She has worked as part of the command structure for 19 state and federally declared disasters. These include flooding, an earthquake, and two Coast Guard helicopter crashes, all in California.
She sits on the Valdez Local Emergency Planning Committee and is the Red Cross representative for Valdez. In addition, she’s a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician for the Valdez Fire Department.
“Having worked in the emergency management field for over 20 years, I have seen the damage an oil spill can cause,” Schanbeck said. “Preventing one from happening again is crucial.”
She moved to Valdez three years ago with her son, P.J., and her husband, Preston, who is in the Coast Guard. For fun, the family likes to fish, hike, and pan for gold, she said.
Schanbeck replaces Tamara Byrnes, who had worked for the council since 1991. Byrnes has retired and moved to Florida, where she will be both warmer and closer to her family.
“We’re happy to have these two fine professionals join us,” said John Devens, executive director of the council. “At the same time, it’s always hard to say good-bye to a long-time member of the staff like Tamara. We wish her well and hope to see her back in Valdez from time to time.”
The council now has 18 full-time employees and two part-timers.
Editor’s note: Chris Jones is not related to Stan Jones, director of external affairs for the council.
