The Discovery Captain & Crew
The Discovery captain and crew.
Captain Dean Rand
Captain Dean Rand has
over 30 years experience
on Alaska's waters.
Captain and naturalist Dean Rand, his two daughters, and black lab Happy live year round aboard the Discovery in the little town of Whittier, in Western Prince William Sound. As the owner / operator of Discovery Voyages and the full time captain of the Discovery, Dean is not just another hired captain like the majority of tour operations.
Considered by many to be one of the most knowledgeable mariners in Prince William Sound, Dean's extensive involvement with a broad range of scientific research conducted throughout the Sound have provided him with a well-rounded background in the region's natural history.
Dean is a master shipwright and marine mechanic with more than 30 years of full time service in the marine trades on the Alaska coast. The past 15 years have been exclusively in Prince William Sound.
Captain Dean Rand in the
Discovery wheelhouse.
He is active in local and national land & water use management and carries extensive experience in wilderness tourism and scientific research. He was co recipient (with the Chugach School District of Prince William Sound) of the prestigious Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award for supporting and participating in the education of all children.
As an established and skilled, licensed marine vessel captain, Captain Rand safely pilots you through the Sound's narrow saltwater passages and winding fjords. The Discovery is a US Coast Guard inspected vessel, fully certified for passenger service in Alaska's often-extreme traveling conditions.
The qualified and experienced guides and special guests that join the Discovery enrich your Alaska experience. They are hand picked by Discovery Voyages to compliment your journey in Prince William Sound.
Chef Matt Tocchini
Chef Matt Tocchini
Matt came to Alaska in the spring of 1989 to aid in the clean-up of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, in Prince William Sound, with plans to return to college that fall. He ended up in a cannery, far from the oily chaos, where he earned enough money to embark on a life of adventure. His love for travel has taken him throughout Alaska, to the South Pacific, the Andes, the Himalayas, East Asia and Central America. He finds travel exotic, stimulating and fulfilling.
Along the journey that began as a visit is now a place to call home and Matt is easily at home in the kitchen where you will find him this summer. He has been cooking professionally since he was 18 from burger houses to fine dining. He draws inspiration from the multitude of cultures he visits and brings that aroma with him into our gallery. He looks forward to using these skills and experiences in preparing unique and delicious meals for all of you who join us on the Discovery.
He has a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Policy, and a masters in the art of having a good time. He enjoys skiing, kayaking, rafting, biking and hiking and these activities have taken him all around this beautiful state of Alaska.
Samantha Guse
Samantha Guse, guide
and 1st mate onboard
the Discovery.
Samantha is a licensed deck officer and second in command onboard the Discovery. She is a lifelong (or 3rd generation) Alaskan born in the small coastal community of Cordova, located on Prince William Sound's eastern shore. She has been exploring the Sound her whole life and is excited to share her "backyard" with guests aboard the Discovery. She has guided throughout Alaska for many years and especially enjoys fishing, hiking, and viewing glaciers and wildlife in the Sound.
A graduate of the University of Alaska, Sam also holds her U.S. Coast Guard Vessel Master's License and assists navigating the Discovery through the Sound's protected waterways.
Heather Rand
Crewmember Heather
Rand is no stranger to
working onboard the
Discovery
.
Crewmember Heather Rand is no stranger to working onboard the Discovery. Heather has spent most of her 18 years living year round onboard the Discovery with her father, Captain Dean, and younger sister Hannah. Those years were filled with summer tours and winter research charters out in the Sound. When digital cameras were first becoming available, some 10 years ago, many of Heather’s photos, taken during research work, appeared in scientific publications and web sites. She was age 9. Heather lived in Japan last year attending a high school in Sapporo and recently completed her US high school requirements while also completing her first year of college at the University of Alaska in Anchorage.
When asked what her educational and career pursuits would be, Heather responded that she wanted Dad’s job! For now, Heather is guiding hikes and kayak excursions, educating our guests, playing a mean game of scrabble or cards, keeping the Discovery clean and organized, baking cookies, and taking the helm when Captain Dad needs a break.
Brenda Roper
Brenda is likelly to be
busy
making sculpture
when she is not managing
your reservation on
Discovery Voyages.
Brenda has managed the reservation office since 2000. Born in the middle of Michigan she moved west after high school and promptly fell in love with the natural world. She attended Colorado Mountain College and received her Associate of Arts degree in Outdoor Education in 1982, eventually moving to Alaska where she has lived since 1985. Roper has guided wilderness adventures in remote parts of Alaska in addition to planning personal trip itineraries for our guests. She is happy to assist you with seeing Alaska! She graduated with honors from the University of Alaska, Anchorage (UAA) in May 2004 with a BFA in sculpture and recently returned from a year at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. Her sculpture is published in Calyx, a journal of art & literature for women, Vol 22 no. 3.
Tess Stewart
Tess is the likely voice
you hear when you call
Discovery Voyages.
Tess is the new voice you hear when you contact the office of Discovery Voyages. Please give her a warm welcome. A long-time Alaskan and an avid lover of animals Tess also enjoys hiking, and in her spare time, knitting and creative writing. Being a mother to an adventureous two-year-old also keeps her on her toes. Tess is happy to help you in confirming your voyage on the Discovery. Give her a call today at 800.324.7602
Hannah Rand
Captain Rand's daughter,
Hannah Rand.
Hannah Rand is a true Alaskan by the best of Alaska's standards, born in the train tunnel that connects the coastal town of Whittier to Alaska's road system. She has lived on board the Discovery most of her life, and excels scholastically both in the classroom as well as a quiet student of nature. She assists with various boat tasks, enjoys music, reading, creative endeavors, and steps lightly throughout the Discovery, occasionally silently appearing with a plate of fresh baked cookies. She frequently dazzles passengers from the keyboard with live piano music during the evening meals in the Discovery salon. Her few spoken words do not reflect the richness of thought that lurk beneath her quiet demeanor.
Happy
Black lab "Happy"
Hap is a well trained Black lab that joined the Discovery crew in 2005.
Discovery Voyages Guides & Guests
Hugh Rose, Photographer and Natural History Guide
Hugh Rose
Hugh Rose has lived in northern climates most of his life and currently makes Fairbanks, Alaska home. Compelled by Alaska's natural beauty, he left a 10-year career in geology to explore and photograph the vast landscapes and wildlife of the north.
Both nature and a camera have intrigued Hugh since childhood and he continues to explore these worlds through photography and guiding. Hugh is a skilled birder, and with a masters degree in geology, blends a keen mix of natural history with his people and photography skills. He travels worldwide sharing the the wonders of the natural world with his clients.
Patrick J. Endres, Professional Photographer
Patrick J. Endres
Patrick has worked and photographed in Prince William Sound for 13 years, and has traveled extensively throughout Alaska photographing and observing the delicate balance of nature in the arctic and sub-arctic environments.
He holds a bachelor of arts in Theology and resides in Fairbanks, Alaska where he works professionally as a freelance photographer and photography guide. His photographs have appeared in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, USA Today, National Wildlife Magazine, National Parks Magazine, Alaska Magazine, and numerous other books and publications.
Aaron Meyer, Concert Rock Violinist
Aaron Meyer
The cutting edge music of concert violinist Aaron Meyer is a unique and powerful instrumental style bridging the gap between classical, contemporary pop/rock and world genres. Audiences of all ages genuinely connect with Meyer and his magnetic energy!
A classically trained violinist since the age of 5, Meyer soloed with the Philadelphia Orchestra at age 11, and has subsequently soloed with major international symphony orchestras, ballet companies, as well as worked with artists such as Pink Martini, Smokey Robinson, Aaron Neville, The Temptations and Everclear. Aaron is a masterful educator as well as performer, and enjoys traveling to other parts of the world regularly and engages himself in the music from other cultures. Visit www.aaronmeyer.com to find out more about the variety of Aaron’s music and performances.
