Meet David Brown, a contractor for DOE's office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy who lived in Homer, Alaska, for two years and worked for a summer as a commercial fisherman in Bristol Bay.
October 22, 2024
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The Arctic Energy Office is hosting a series of interviews to highlight the lives and achievements of some of DOE’s outstanding employees with Arctic and Alaska connections. Today meet David Brown, a contractor through Accenture Federal Services supporting the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. David lived in Homer, Alaska, for two years, and worked as a commercial fisherman in Bristol Bay for one summer. If you're a Department of Energy employee and have Alaska connections or know someone at DOE who does, please connect at [email protected] so we can feature you in future editions.
When did you live in Alaska?
I lived in Homer, Alaska, the “Halibut Fishing Capital of the World,” for two years, from 2005 to 2007. I worked as a commercial fisherman in Bristol Bay during the summer of 2007.
When did you start working at DOE?
I started as a contractor in January 2011. Despite transitioning between roles , I have continuously supported EERE (Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy) from day one.
What do you do now at DOE?
I am a program manager at Accenture Federal Services, overseeing several technology projects across EERE’s technology offices, the State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP), and the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP). I lead development teams that focus on custom web application development, website modernization projects and content management. Most recently, my team successfully migrated and modernized the Solar Decathlon website into Drupal 10.
Why did you want to work with the Department of Energy?
Since childhood, I’ve had a deep interest in animals, particularly reptiles and fish. It wasn’t long before I had an aquarium or terrarium on nearly every available surface in my bedroom (sorry mom!). I bred geckos and bearded dragons and kept several varieties of tropical and saltwater fish. As I learned more about these animals and their habitats, I became increasingly aware of how environmental degradation was negatively impacting their natural habitat. As I grew older, knew I wanted a career that had a greater mission to help tip the scale for good when it came to building a better environmental future, and DOE was a perfect combination of my interests and passions!
Tell us about your experiences in the Arctic. What have been some of your favorite memories?
Alaska was vastly different from Maryland, where I grew up. The most striking difference was the natural environment. From my bedroom window in Homer, I could see Kachemak Bay (which was often visited by orcas and beluga whales), all set against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. Looking back, I realize how incredibly fortunate I was to experience such beauty on a daily basis!
How did your time in the Arctic shape who you are today?
The environment in Alaska was vastly different from what I was accustomed to, but the cultural shift was also profound. Life in Alaska moves at a much slower pace compared to the East Coast. Initially, I struggled with this, but I soon came to appreciate the depth of relationships Alaskans cultivated. They value personal connections, and that has left a lasting impact on me.
How does your time in the Arctic impact your perspectives at DOE?
My time in Alaska helped me realize just how diverse and unique our country is. It also gave me a heightened appreciation for the importance of the work we do at DOE, as it directly affects the preservation and improvement of such unique environments.
What do you love about your job?
The people! I have the privilege of working with so many talented, passionate, and interesting individuals. I feel truly blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful colleagues.
What’s your favorite place in Alaska?
Homer, Alaska! The view I described earlier never got old, and I can’t wait to go back!