Port Operations Coordinator, Craig Bisson, is hereby named the Alaska Association of Harbormasters and Port Administrators (AAHPA) employee of the year for the City of Ketchikan for 2022. Despite Mr. Bisson’s relatively brief tenure on staff – having only joined our Team in March of this year - he readily accomplished what would easily have taken a year to orchestrate. Overcoming a two-year hiatus in Port operations, Craig’s leadership proved instrumental in reestablishing critical Port Security Teams in support of the City’s Coast Guard approved Facility Security Plan (FSP).  As a result, he was able to skillfully implement and secure Coast Guard approval for long-overdue amendments that negated future/negative impacts to Port operations. Additionally, despite nationwide shortages in available personnel, he was able to successfully identify, interview, process and train over fifty seasonal personnel in safety, security and pedestrian management practices – all within a six week period – to provide “just in time” delivery for the first ship arrival of 2022. From a Port Management perspective, Craig worked closely with Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska to ensure we fulfilled our commitments to the community through the equitable distribution of passengers across the Port, thereby providing local merchants with enhanced opportunities to recoup losses accrued over recent years. This last feat, required Mr. Bisson to draw upon his extensive experience as a former Alaska Marine Highway System dispatcher, to develop multiple contingency plans to accommodate numerous last-minute logistical challenges spurred on by competing dockside transportation needs originating off the Port. These efforts set the stage for safe/secure passenger operations under regularly changing conditions. In summary, Craig has exemplified the true spirit of teamwork and uncompromised ethics while playing a vital role in the success of the Port, and is truly worthy of recognition by the AAHPA as the Ketchikan Port and Harbors Employee of the Year for 2022.

Harbor Officer, Patrick Davis, is hereby named the Alaska Association of Harbormasters and Port Administrators employee of the year for the City and Borough of Juneau for 2022. Patrick’s efforts and attitude have been positively observed by supervisors and harbor patrons alike, resulting in accolades from many. In the transition from seasonal operations, your supervisor was impressed that you had taken the initiative to start preparations on your own accord. Leveraging your storehouse of knowledge and 10 plus years of experience, you have developed a comprehensive list and commenced task execution without prompting. Your efforts enabled other staff to focus on areas of preparation yet to be completed.  During the harsh Alaska winter, you are often the first through the door and get straight to work, setting the tempo for the rest of the crew. You draw upon your expertise to prioritize snow removal routes and problem areas.   Excelling in top-notch customer service and willingness to help others you typically go the extra mile to assist.  On April 5th, while working in the parking lot you heard calls for help coming from down in the harbor, upon arriving on scene, you realized that a harbor patron had collapsed and was unconscious of cardiac event. The Good Samaritan calling for help was unsure of what medical procedure to take; however, you quickly took control and determined that CPR was the correct course of action.  Instructing the Good Samaritan to call 911, you began CPR and after several rounds the patient began to regain consciousness.  The patient was transported to Anchorage for surgery and happily fully recovered in Juneau. According to the first responders, your quick actions are undoubtedly the reason that this man is alive today. Your efforts are an integral part of advancing Docks and Harbors achieve its vision to be:  the Southeast Alaska maritime center of excellence.  It is with great pleasure to recognize you as the Juneau Docks & Harbors Employee of the Year for 2022.