A large project like Exxon Valdez Oil Spill was a great way to start a company and led to WEST’s first hire, Wally Erickson, in May 1991, after finishing his M.S. under Lyman. Wally first joined the field crews on the Pacific Star in Prince William Sound and then worked on other project research vessels along the Kenai and Alaska Peninsulas and the Kodiak Archipelago. Wally has over 29 years of experience applying statistical solutions to a wide variety of natural resource challenges to date. He is currently a senior statistician with WEST, and has previously served as WEST’s COO and CEO. #WEST30Years