Paul Whitmore first moved to Anchorage in 1983 as an exploration geophysicist with Arco Oil and Gas Co. During the oil down-turn in the mid-1980s, he decided to stay in Alaska and started work as a scientist at the National Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer. He worked there until retiring as Director in2017. Paul met his wife Beth while living in Anchorage. The two were married in 1986 and raised a family of three children in Palmer, where they have been involved in community activities ever since.
With more free time since retirement, Paul joined the Palmer Community Foundation Advisory Board with the goal of helping the Foundation grow and serve as a valuable asset to the Palmer area. He believes the foundation approach to fund community agencies in need is a great strategy. Being part of the broader Alaska Community Foundation provides the background support required to make the Palmer group successful long-term. Paul states, “My hope for the PCF is that it grows immensely over the next 10 to 20 years, and becomes an important source of funds for charitable groups throughout the area.”