Month: May 2022

Council announces election of Board officers

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Photo of Executive Committee for 2022-2023
PWSRCAC Executive Committee for May 2022-May 2023, left to right: Donaldson, Totemoff, Bauer, Archibald, Cutrell, and Beedle. Not pictured: Bob Shavelson.

The Council held its annual Board meeting in Valdez, Alaska, on May 5-6, 2022. Among other business, the Board convened to elect officers who will serve from May 2022 to May 2023.

The elected executive committee is comprised of:

  • President: Robert Archibald, representing the City of Homer
  • Vice President: Amanda Bauer, representing the City of Valdez
  • Treasurer: Wayne Donaldson, representing the City of Kodiak
  • Secretary: Bob Shavelson, representing the Oil Spill Region Environmental Coalition
  • Three Members-at-Large:
    • Ben Cutrell, representing Chugach Alaska Corporation
    • Robert Beedle, representing the City of Cordova
    • Angela Totemoff, representing the Community of Tatitlek

“I am honored to serve as president of the Board for another year,” said Robert Archibald. “As one of two regional citizens advisory councils in the nation, it is incumbent upon our organization to hold accountable industry and regulators. It is essential that the highest safety standards are maintained in order to prevent oil spills and make sure there is a strong response system in place should prevention measures fail in order to protect the citizens, Valdez Marine Terminal workforce, associated tanker crews, and Alaska’s environment which we hold so dear.”

The Council is grateful to have the support of its many volunteers from all over the Exxon Valdez oil spill region. The new executive committee is an excellent representation of the Council.

New members seated

Curtis Herschleb
Aimee Williams

The Board seated two new members. Curtis Herschleb was appointed by Cordova District Fishermen United to fill the seat held by Patience Andersen Faulkner, who retired this year. Aimee Williams has been appointed by the Kodiak Island Borough to fill the seat previously held by Rebecca Skinner.

 

Board passes resolution honoring Patience Andersen Faulkner

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The Council’s longest-serving member of its Board of Directors has retired from her service to the Council. At its meeting on May 5, the Council passed a unanimous resolution honoring Andersen Faulkner. The full text is below.

Related: A good neighbor reflects on the art of listening

Resolution 22-01: Commending and Expressing Gratitude for Patience Andersen Faulkner’s Dedication and Service to the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council and in Alaska

Photo of Patience Andersen Faulkner
Patience Andersen Faulkner

WHEREAS, during the Exxon Valdez oil spill, Patience Andersen Faulkner served as a paralegal assisting fishermen in Cordova, Alaska, to successfully process claims for damages, as well as supporting community members as they grappled with the aftermath of the spill; and,

WHEREAS, on December 3, 1998, Faulkner was seated on the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council Board of Directors, representing the Cordova District Fishermen United, making her the Council’s longest-serving Director, with a stellar attendance record, having made 114 Board meetings; and,

WHEREAS, Faulkner’s pioneering work with Dr. Steve Picou documenting the profound human health and societal impacts of oil spills has been recognized and accepted by federal regulators and the President’s Oil Spill Commission, and is now recommended for the list of damages that responsible parties must legally acknowledge and attempt to address in the wake of a large oil spill; and,

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Resolution of appreciation for Anil Mather

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Resolution 22-02: Recognizing and Expressing Appreciation for Anil Mathur’s Contributions to the Safe Transportation of Oil in Prince William Sound and Throughout the West Coast

Left to right: Amanda Bauer, Robert Archibald, Mather, Dorothy Moore, and Donna Schantz.

WHEREAS, Anil Mathur, President & CEO of Alaska Tanker Company (ATC), announced his retirement in 2020, after almost two decades of quality service and focus on safety; and,

WHEREAS, during Anil Mathur’s tenure, ATC transported over 1,916 million barrels of oil without any spills to sea, logged 23 million human-hours with only one lost time injury (a fractured finger); and

WHEREAS, Anil Mathur prioritized a mindfulness culture at ATC based on safety and well-being, supported by neuroscience, to overcome complacency and distraction, and improve safety performance and accountability; and,

WHEREAS, in addition to other accolades, Anil Mathur received the United Seamen’s Service 2019 Admiral of the Ocean Sea Award, the AFL-CIO 2013 Labor-Management Award, the American Society of Safety Engineers’ 2010-2011 President’s Award, and was named the “CEO who gets it” by the National Safety Council in 2005; and,

WHEREAS, Anil Mathur put extensive time and effort into establishing and improving relationships with stakeholders, such as the Council, striving to find common ground within the shared goals; and,

WHEREAS, Anil Mathur proactively invited the Council to attend and participate in ATC’s annual Quality/Safety Management Review meetings, and learn about the systems used to ensure no accidents, no harm to people, and no damage to the environment; and,

WHEREAS, Anil Mathur never missed an opportunity to share safety culture in memorable ways, such as explaining the “swiss cheese model” of accident causation and his view that in order to have world-class performance you have to change the mindset, skillset, and toolset; and,

WHEREAS, Anil Mathur, and ATC under his leadership, exemplified the working relationship and values we all strive for – keeping our economy going in the absolute safest way possible for the sake of the environment, our communities and local economies, and those working within the oil transportation industry; and, WHEREAS, the hard work, dedication, and teamwork of everyone at ATC during Anil Mathur’s tenure showcased their commitment to each other and to the entire west coast of the United States and Canada.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council commends and expresses gratitude to Anil Mathur for his many years of dedication and commitment to the safe transportation of crude oil throughout the region of Prince William Sound and the Gulf of Alaska; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council’s staff and volunteers wish Anil Mathur all the best in his retirement, with the hope that his curiosity and open-minded perspective will continue such that the friendships that have been built along the way will be strengthened, and new friendships realized.

PASSED AND APPROVED by the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council on this 5th day of May, 2022.

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