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Alan Sorum


Feature Writer Boating & Sailing Feature Writer
Alan Sorum, Port of Valdez

Alan Sorum is the Manager for the Municipality of Skagway, an Alaska Borough and immediate past Port Director and Harbormaster for the City of Valdez, Alaska. He worked as the Valdez Harbormaster for seven years and has also worked for the Ports of Wrangell and Whittier, Alaska.

Sorum has been extensively involved with port and harbor planning efforts. The most recent projects have been development of a marine center concept for the City of Valdez, a port operations plan for the Native Village of Eyak and an online marina employee training program with the University of Alaska Southeast. Some publications include

  • Evaluation of Alaska’s Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Program presented in the proceedings of IFISH II, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Sitka, Alaska 2003
  • Community Discovery in Chukotka presented to the proceedings of the 55th Arctic Science Conference - American Association for the Advancement of Science, Anchorage, Alaska 2004
  • Northern Harbors & Small Ports: Operation and Maintenance published by Alaska Sea Grant College Program - University of Alaska Fairbanks, February 2006 ISBN 1566121027 - Alaska Professional Communicators 2007 First Place Instructional Non-Fiction Book Award Winner
  • Alaska Coasts & Seas - Clean Boating published by the Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program - University of Alaska Fairbanks, July 2007 - Alaska Professional Communicators 2008 First Place and National Federation of Press Women Second Place Award Winner for a manual or handbook

Alan holds a Bachelor of Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Alaska Southeast and a Master of Art in Rural Development from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Alan has been ammitted to the Master of Public Health Program at the University of Alaska Anchorage. During 2005 he qualified for the Certified Marina Manager designation from the International Marina Institute.

Alan has been involved in a number of public service projects. Some awards include:

  • Received Meritorious Team Commendation as a member of M/V Selendang Ayu Auxiliary Response Team
  • Awarded the Secretary of Transportation 9-11 Ribbon
  • Awarded USCG Marine Safety Device
  • Awarded the Coast Guard Auxiliary Commendation Metal
  • Received the Coast Guard Commandant's Distinguished Public Service Award
  • Received a Sea Grant Superior Achievement Award for helping rebuild critical fisheries infrastructure in Louisiana

Alan Sorum is the Immediate Past President of the Alaska Association of Harbormasters and Port Administrators (AAHPA), a member of the Southeast Alaska Area Maritime Security Committee, a board member of the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association and a board member of the Alaska State Science and Technology Fair.

As a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Alan serves as a District Staff Officer in Alaska's District 17 and Branch Chief for Marine Safety and Security on the National Auxiliary Staff. Current qualifications include the Marine Safety Device, Commercial Fishing Vessel Examiner, Boating Safety Instructor, and Facility Inspector. Sorum also holds a Boating Safety Instructor certificate from the State of Alaska.

Boating is a way of life here in coastal Alaska. Alan holds a Coast Guard Masters License, and is involved with commercial and recreational boating, kayaking and rafting. A person can never have too many boats here!
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