
Steve and Mabel Flodin
Commercial fishing crew of Amadeus
Members of SERVS Vessel of Opportunity 2002-2016
Parents of Ron and Dan Flodin and Julia (Flodin) Redington |
Dan Flodin (back row, left)
Alyeska Supply Chain Management Director in Anchorage
17 years as Alyeska employee |
Julia (Flodin) Redington (front row, left)
Alyeska Director of Project & Project Controls in Anchorage
Alyeska Projects team member for more than 15 years |
Ron Flodin (back row, right)
Pump Station 4 Pipeline & Civil Maintenance Coordinator
8+ years as Alyeska employee
3 years in the SERVS Vessel of Opportunity program |
When it comes to taking a system view of TAPS, the Flodin family has an interesting perspective. Like many Alaska families, they have fished and played together. Unlike many Alaska families, they all work together – supporting Alyeska and TAPS from Pump Station 1 to Valdez, in Fairbanks and Anchorage, and even out in Prince William Sound.
Steve and Mabel Flodin, the family's patriarch and matriarch, crew their 32-foot stern picker Amadeus, which was a SERVS Vessel of Opportunity boat from 2002-2016. Their three children – Dan, Julia and Ron – are all longtime Alyeska employees with unique roles.
Steve is a retired engineer who has worked around Alaska and even was part of the Exxon Valdez spill response. As a fisherman and member of the Vessel of Opportunity program, he has a deep appreciation for protecting Prince William Sound. His grownup children say they feel the same way about the sustainability and safety of TAPS.
What does working on TAPS mean to you?
Steve: "TAPS for my family, my children, it's their livelihood and it’s been the livelihood of this state for 40 years. I'm glad that they are involved in it and doing something that's productive for the company and the state."
Ron: "Working in an industry that Alaska depends on so much is a privilege. I am proud to be a part of a company that maintains the integrity of the pipeline."
Julia: "I am very proud to work for Alyeska and be part of the TAPS family. I am a lifelong Alaskan and TAPS is iconic and supports our state in so many ways. I look forward to being part of the team that continues to make TAPS sustainable into the future."
Dan: "I have depended on Alaska’s natural resources to provide for my family. Alaska has been an awesome adventure. Working for Alyeska has been an extension of that adventure. Experiencing TAPS physically standing tall and providing for the state of Alaska is rewarding. Alyeska and Alaska have much in common – a great place to live, work, make a difference and thrive."
What's your favorite moment working on TAPS?
Julia: "My favorite memory was responding to the 2002 Denali Earthquake and seeing how great the pipeline performed during this event."
Ron: "Three come to mind. The 2011 PS1 booster pump leak. … It was amazing to see what we did as a company. … In 2011, I was part of the Low Flow Program – I worked with many people in different areas and I got to work along all 800 miles of TAPS. And the PS1 Electrification and Automation and the suite of work; I spent five years on it. It gave me a lot of exposure to how TAPS is operated."
Dan: "The highlights have to be the people at Alyeska. At a recent Leadership Team meeting, of the 19 directors attending three were people I had initially hired, encouraged to apply at Alyeska or promoted at Alyeska. It's a tremendous feeling watching careers blossom from people you have encouraged and coached."
How special is it for you to be able to work at Alyeska with your family?
Julia: "I enjoy that my family can be proud of our work for TAPS success. Ron is in Operations & Maintenance, Dan is in Supply Chain and I am in Projects. It is great that we are all part of the TAPS family but also good to have separation in the areas by the teams we work in."
Ron: "Dan is a great recruiter – he encouraged Julia and I to join APSC. I like that we can work for the same company but also can be our individual selves in the three divisions that we work in. And that our dad is there in the background for oil spill response if it was ever needed. There is always something to talk about at family get-togethers."
Dan: "It is very special that I get to share this company with my family. Our family is Alaska grown. My Flodin generation all went to school K-12 in Alaska and graduated from UAF. … My dad has now experienced Alyeska through the Vessel of Opportunity program. He now sees what we see at Alyeska. It is a large part of the Alaska culture and well-being. We are all proud to work here and hope that future is there for the youngest Flodin generation as they prepare to launch their careers."