Because Safety Doesn't Clock Out–20 Years Strong

Ryan, Operations Superintendent

Born and raised in Fairbanks, Ryan got his start in mining at Fort Knox but always hoped to build a mine mill from the ground up. When he heard about a new project in interior Alaska in 2006, he jumped at the opportunity to get involved.

“When I spoke with the guys at Fort Knox who were there from the beginning, literally at the start of the mine, I knew I wanted that experience and adventure; making it my own and really taking ownership” he says. “Twenty years later, I’m proud that I’ve been involved in pouring every ounce of gold at Pogo.”

A Career with Opportunities

Ryan started as a grind floor operator in 2006 and was quickly promoted to a supervisory position before being made Foreman, and now Operations Superintendent.

“Mining is challenging - it’s hard work with long hours, but it’s a good career, one with opportunities,” he says.

His early experience as a floor operator has been invaluable to how he leads today. It has given him a full understanding on what goes into operations from planning to extraction and processing, and how he can support his team. He says that being teachable has been key to his career progression. It’s a quality that he looks for and values in the next generation of miners.

“Someone might come straight from school and want to go right to the control room, but being patient and open to learning, open to new ideas, is important.” Ryan says. "You really must experience this job from every level to be effective, efficient, and safe. And I think it’s important to remember where you started. I still go out on the floor and help my team whenever I can.”

Staying connected to his team and how things are running on the floor is central to Ryan’s leadership style. Good communication with his team and other departments is essential to his daily work.

“I’m proud that I’m one of the go-to people when someone needs help. Being there for my team and hearing them out, being open to the challenges they may be going through, that’s important to me.”

A Close Team

Approachability and open communication are also a key part of Pogo’s safety culture, Ryan says.

“I try to model that safety comes first; it is a value that you have. We empower our people to know that if they see something they don’t think is safe, they can walk into my office and say it. The door is always open.”

Having each other’s backs is essential for safe, successful mining operations and is part of the culture at Pogo, where employees live in a camp setting together for weeks at a time. Ryan says that as far as Pogo’s work culture goes, he has appreciated the sense of closeness that has developed within the team.

“You’re out here together for a good portion of your life, so you get close. It’s family oriented. You could have a bad day, but we all go back to camp together, so we look out for each other,” he says.

At the core, Ryan says it’s his family back in Fairbanks who keep him grounded and working toward his career goals. They play an active role beside him at Pogo family and community events. Ryan says that despite being away from home for weeks at a time, he prioritizes being there for them as much as possible. “When I face a challenge, I look at my family and remember why I’m doing it. They’re worth every ounce.”