Our
People
Sam Swatzell
Interim SERVS Operations Supervisor
 Sam
Swatzell
enjoys his role as Interim Operations Supervisor at SERVS. His
foremost concern is
helping to
prevent spills from occurring. However,
he enjoys the everyday challenges such as unannounced drills;
ensuring all employees on the barges and vessels are trained,
and that Alyeska is response ready.
Describe the work you do for Alyeska?
As
Interim Operations Supervisor for the Ship Escort Response
Vessel System (SERVS), our mission is to transport oil safely
from the Valdez Marine Terminal to 17 miles past Hinchinbrook in
Prince William Sound. It’s an extension of the pipeline to me. I
supervise eight response coordinators, which are responsible for
prevention and the open water response arena. Currently, if
there was an event I would be slotted in the group supervisor
role. I am taking courses in order to participate in the
Incident Management Team (IMT).
What
do you like most about working for Alyeska?
I
like working at SERVS because of the marine environment. Before
I worked for Alyeska, I was a mariner for many years.
I was raised
in Homer, Alaska and commercial fished for almost 20 years. I
mainly fished Cook Inlet salmon, and halibut and crab in the
Bering Sea. If you ever get the chance to eat Blue King Crab
from the Bering Sea take it. It is excellent! I also enjoy working with all the people in
Alyeska, contractors and the folks on the vessels.
Looking back at 2009, what changes did you make regarding
safety?
The
Operations team made a commitment to get out in the field more.
We made a pledge to listen to any concerns the employees may
have about safety, ask how the work is going and take the
opportunity to conduct a Loss Prevention Observation (LPO).
What
do you enjoy doing outside of work?
During the winter I enjoy downhill skiing and in the summer, I
ride my motorcycle with my wife Donnely. I care about Alaska
and its environment. My personal eco-system is the water and
the coastline of Alaska – where I work and live.
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