Volunteer Spotlight Archives | Page 7 of 7 | Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council

Orson Smith: Engineering expert motivated by intellectual challenges

January 27, 2017July 19, 2013 by Amanda Johnson

Orson Smith, the newest member of the council’s Port Operations and Vessel Traffic System committee, loves a good mental challenge.

Smith was recruited by council project manager Alan Sorum to the committee a little over a year ago. Working with the committee has given him a chance to understand the terminal and the Coast Guard’s Vessel Traffic System better.

“Port operations in the Valdez Arm represent truly challenging port and coastal engineering issues with the extreme weather,” Smith said, “The risk of an accident, even at a low probability, has a high cost.”

Harold Blehm: New council committee member has long history of volunteering in Prince William Sound communities

January 27, 2017May 1, 2013 by Amanda Johnson

Volunteer Spotlight

Harold Blehm, newest member of the council’s Terminal Operations and Vessel Traffic System committee is passionate about using his time to help make Valdez, Prince William Sound, and the Chugach mountains a better place.

Blehm first moved to Alaska in 1982, after he graduated from Colorado State University’s School of Forestry with a degree in outdoor recreation administration.

Colorado’s population has grown so much that Blehm said he doesn’t think he could ever return there.

“All the lakes we used to fish in are now inside city limits and you can’t fish there anymore,” Blehm said, “It’s sad.”

For his first few years in Alaska, Blehm worked for the City of Valdez as a firefighter, emergency medical technician and police officer. In 1988, Blehm finally got his dream job with the Alaska State Parks as district ranger for the Copper Basin Ranger District in Tazlina, Alaska.

“I got that job in ‘88, and in ’89, guess what happened?”

Bob Jaynes works hard to protect beloved Sound

December 5, 2019January 17, 2013 by Amanda Johnson

In a conversation with Robert “Bob” Jaynes, his dedication to and love of Prince William Sound is immediately apparent.

Jaynes has been a member of the council’s Port Operations and Vessel Traffic System since 2004, chairing that committee since 2006. He has been operating a boat on the Sound for 22 years, licensed as a captain by the Coast Guard for 18 of those years.

Originally from California, Jaynes’ work first brought him to Alaska in the 1980s while working for the Air Force.

“After working several different jobs, like you do when you’re in your younger years,” Jaynes said, “I finally ended up working civil service at McClellan Air Force Base.”