Alan has been involved in ICES network for many years, including serving as Chair of ICES Strategic Initiative on the Human Dimension (SIHD) and the US alternate member to ICES Science Committee (SCICOM), and chairing numerous expert groups. He has diverse experience with marine science and economics leadership, stakeholder engagement, climate change research, policy analysis and development, strategic planning, and organizational excellence. Before coming to ICES, Alan spent 18 years at NOAA Fisheries in Seattle, Washington, USA, with a focus on both regional issues in the North Pacific and national initiatives. He has a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
Alan has organized dozens of scientific workshops and conferences and effectively communicated with diverse audiences including the public, fishery managers, Congressional staffers, NOAA leaders, and indigenous as well as large-scale commercial fishers. He led the development of the NOAA Fisheries Human Dimensions Plan and the Rightsizing Project, which examined the long-term resource changes across US fisheries science centers. He served for 14 years on the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Plan Team and has organized workshops to improve interdisciplinary methods in stock assessment and integrated ecosystem assessments. He was an author of the US National Climate Assessment and has been a leader in interdisciplinary marine climate science. Earlier in his career, Alan received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) from President Obama.
Alan grew up in and near New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, a culture rich in fisheries and maritime uses. He studied economics and international relations at Stanford University and obtained a PhD in economics from the University of Washington.
“I was drawn to the role of ICES General Secretary for many reasons. The need to collaborate to address the many scientific and management challenges of our time has never been greater. We have a unique opportunity to strengthen all aspects of the network to expand the impact of ICES and deepen the rigor and interdisciplinary content of our science and advice."
