Barrett named to head Alyeska Pipeline

Petroleum News

Vice Admiral Thomas Barrett, USGC (Ret.) has been named president of Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. effective Jan. 1.

Alyeska said Barrett is the first president hired as an employee since the company’s founding in 1970; all previous company executives have been secondees on loan from Alyeska’s owner companies.

Barrett currently is the deputy federal coordinator in the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects; he manages the Alaska field office.

Prior to joining OFC, Barrett was deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, serving under President Bush and President Obama. Barrett oversaw national safety programs as the first administrator of the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

He served 35 years in the U.S. Coast Guard, attaining the position of vice commandant. His service included tours in Kodiak and Juneau.

“Tom brings many years of transportation experience to Alyeska and has a strong commitment to Alyeska’s mission of providing a safe, environmentally responsible, cost-effective and reliable means to move Alaska’s liquid hydrocarbons to market,” Chuck Coulson, chair of the Alyeska owners committee, said in a statement.

“I have enjoyed being part of the Office of the Federal Coordinator, advancing the gas pipeline effort in Alaska,” Barrett said. “Now I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead a company that is so critical to Alaska’s future. I’m eager to meet the people of Alyeska, and work together with them to ensure the continued safe delivery of oil to the American people.”

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, called Barrett “an outstanding choice to take over leadership at Alyeska. He understands the environmental and safety issues involved in oil transport and has a deep commitment to protecting the beauty and environment of his adopted state.”

Congressman Don Young, R-Alaska, called Barrett “an excellent choice for this incredibly important position,” and said that as a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, he had a positive working relationship with Barrett when Barrett was deputy secretary of Transportation.