Face to Face
Wes Willson
Emergency Preparedness & Compliance Manager
Fairbanks

Describe the work you do for Alyeska:  

My primary accountability is managing the Pipeline Oil Discharge Prevention and Contingency Plan, commonly called the C-Plan. The C-Plan describes the pipeline transportation system – all of our prevention programs, how we manage our resources in case of an incident, and details training and exercises necessary to implement the response elements of the plan. The Emergency Preparedness & Compliance department is comprised of subject matter experts in various areas of response. Our department oversees the initial and annual refresher training program, the pipeline exercise and drill program, the pipeline oil spill equipment program, the vessel operations program, and many other programs that help us meet our spill prevention and response commitments.  

What do you like best about your job? 

Working for Alyeska.  My first job out of school was for an environmental consulting company and the first TAPS job I did was at the VMT sampling soil stockpiles.  I’ve been with Alyeska for 10 years, but I have worked on TAPS for 17 years.  I’ve always been amazed at the engineering marvel that TAPS is and getting to be a part of that system is a privilege. Also, I have always been impressed by how Alyeska can come together and effectively deal with an emergency. We have our differences of opinion and sometimes competing priorities, but when the call comes in, everyone will come together to effectively deal with the emergency.    

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? 

I’ve been coaching youth hockey since graduating from UAF – 16 years now. This year I coached the Fairbanks Ice Puppies and, for the first time got to coach one of my own children. It was a great experience. I still enjoy playing hockey, at least once a year for the UAF Alumni games, although nearing 40 and playing goalie may not be the smartest move on my part.  During the summer, I try to take my family camping each weekend. I have been involved with the Interior Alaska Gun Dog association for the last seven years. I have a 7-year-old Labrador retriever who only needs two more passes to get her Hunting Retriever Champion title and I have a 7-month-old Lab who has a long, long, long way to go.  Oh yeah, I started playing golf three years ago and am totally hooked. 

Aesthetically, what is your favorite part of the pipeline and why? 

Pump Station 4 during the summer or early fall has to be my favorite.  I will always remember the first time I drove over Atigun and felt like I had stumbled into a brand new landscape.  The wide open views of the tundra, the abundance of wildlife, and the harshness of the Brooks Range always make for spectacular viewing.