Austin Love, who has managed the Council’s projects related to the operation of the Valdez Marine Terminal is moving on. Love has been working part-time since December to support the Council’s projects until a replacement could be found.
Love worked with both the Terminal Operations and Environmental Monitoring Committee and the Scientific Advisory Committee on a variety of projects. Love has been praised by coworkers and volunteers alike for his skill at communicating technical content to general audiences. During his time with the Council, he co-authored several research papers for projects such as the recent transcriptomics analysis, part of the Council’s Long-Term Environmental Monitoring Program.
Love’s replacement, Mercedes “Sadie” Blancaflor, joined staff in May of this year. Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Blancaflor holds a Master of Science in Earth Systems from Stanford University, and she previously taught Environmental Law as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
“Austin was a fast learner and focused advocate for the environment in his role at the Council, and he will be greatly missed,” said Executive Director Donna Schantz. “I am pleased that Mercedes has joined the team and look forward to working with her in her new role.”