John Devens, former executive director for the council, passed away last Friday at age 74. John was the mayor of Valdez when the Exxon Valdez ran aground in 1989. He was the first president of the Prince William Sound Community College, and was the president of Connecting Ties, a a non-profit corporation that works with individuals with disabilities.
The Alaska Dispatch has a wonderful article about John here:Â Â John Devens, mayor who led Valdez through Exxon oil spill, dies at 74
The family is building to endow the Dr. John Devens Scholarship which will support future students at Prince William Sound Community College. Donation can be made to: UA Foundation, Dr. John Devens Scholarship Fund, 1815 Bragaw St., Ste. 203, Anchorage, AK 99508.