New President and CEO for Alyeska Pipeline Service Company
The operator of the Trans Alaska Pipeline System has a new boss. The major North Slope producers that own TAPS conducted an executive search and selected John Kurz as the next President and CEO of Alyeska Pipeline Service Company.
Kurz most recently worked as COO for Santos and Oil Search in Papua New Guinea, but he has deeper roots in Alaska. He served as Senior Operations Manager for Greater Prudhoe Bay during his three decades in the oil industry. Career highlights include overseeing operations in oil and gas fields, terminals, and pipelines.
Kurz met his spouse in Anchorage, and he earned a master’s degree in engineering management from the University of Alaska.
“We have strong connections here,” says Kurz. “It is an incredible opportunity to return home and serve as Alyeska President and CEO.”
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October 2025
In addition to his Prudhoe Bay experience, Kurz served as the executive responsible for operations in Baku, Azerbaijan for the Sangachal Terminal and in Basra, Iraq for the giant Rumaila Field. Kurz previously held other roles in oil and gas in Egypt, Indonesia, and Texas.
“In all my leadership roles, I have worked to inspire the team to deliver greater performance and results across the board in safety, production, cost, and other business measures, while also leaving an enduring legacy of improvement,” Kurz says.
Kurz is the thirteenth president to lead Alyeska Pipeline since its formation in 1970. He succeeds interim president Betsy Haines, who retired in 2021 but returned to lead the company during the search and transition.
“It has been a privilege to lead this organization as interim president,” Haines says. “Certainly, when I retired, I didn’t imagine this opportunity, and it was a surprising and wonderful way to end my career. I look forward to bringing John on board as he takes on this new challenge. We’re all looking forward to this next chapter for Alyeska.”
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As we have annually since 1985, we are again celebrating the Top 49ers, local Alaska companies ranked by gross revenue. These home-grown companies participate in all of the state’s major industries, generate more than $28 billion in gross revenue, and employ more than 24,000 Alaskans. The special section holds not only the official 2025 Top 49ers ranks but also highlights of their activities, their plans for the future, and other exciting content. Enjoy!