At a Glance
What movie do you recommend to everyone you know? Free Solo. I used to climb when I was younger so it’s fascinating to me. An amazing story about athleticism, mental toughness, preparation, and confidence. Of course, who in their right mind would do that?
What’s the first thing you do when you get home after a long day at work? Take off my shoes at the front door, then give my wife a big hug and kiss.
If you couldn’t live in Alaska, what’s your dream locale? Northern New Mexico between Raton and Taos. You’re in the middle of the high plains with a few mountains and big Ponderosa Pines.
If you could domesticate a wild animal what animal would it be? Panda bear… Who doesn’t like a panda? They always seem content and playful.
At a Glance
What movie do you recommend to everyone you know? Free Solo. I used to climb when I was younger so it’s fascinating to me. An amazing story about athleticism, mental toughness, preparation, and confidence. Of course, who in their right mind would do that?
What’s the first thing you do when you get home after a long day at work? Take off my shoes at the front door, then give my wife a big hug and kiss.
If you couldn’t live in Alaska, what’s your dream locale? Northern New Mexico between Raton and Taos. You’re in the middle of the high plains with a few mountains and big Ponderosa Pines.
If you could domesticate a wild animal what animal would it be? Panda bear… Who doesn’t like a panda? They always seem content and playful.
Off the Cuff
aised in Texas, Craig Morrison graduated from University of Texas Arlington with a degree in electrical engineering after paying his way through school working as a roughneck on the drilling rigs of West Texas. Roughnecking sparked Morrison’s interest in the oil and gas industry and in 1981, he and his wife Mimi moved to Alaska where Morrison began working on the North Slope.
Now as president of NANA WorleyParsons and after working for thirty years with NANA WorleyParsons and its heritage companies, Morrison has the opportunity to be part of a great team of individuals who deliver engineering, design, and project management services to the oil and gas industry in Alaska.
Alaska Business: What do you do in your free time?
Craig Morrison: I like to be outdoors no matter the weather. Exercising, piddling in the yard, or just goofing off is a nice way to clear your mind and take in the natural beauty we see when we step outside our home.
AB: Is there a skill or talent you’ve always wanted to learn or are learning?
Morrison: I would love to learn how to play the violin.
AB: What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done?
Morrison: It’s a toss-up between bungee jumping or learning to sky dive while going to university. It was quite intimidating to open up your parachute, look down, and discover you’re floating above all the major highways in Dallas.
AB: What’s your go-to comfort food?
Morrison: A McDonald’s apple pie and a medium Dr. Pepper. I know what you’re thinking.
AB: Other than your current career, if you were a kid today, what would your dream job be?
Morrison: A nuclear physicist. Sounds weird doesn’t it? My original major in college was nuclear physics. During the summer working as a roughneck I had the opportunity to participate in nuclear weapons testing while we were drilling the test holes in Nevada. There was a physicist who took me under his wing and gave me a view on how to blow up stuff. Then I discovered there was limited work opportunities and switched over to engineering.
AB: What is your favorite way to get exercise?
Morrison: Really anything. I enjoy riding a fat tire bike, hiking/backpacking, really long runs, and martial arts. Need variety to keep you motivated and interested.
AB: Dead or alive, who would you like to see perform live in concert?
Morrison: Lindsey Stirling. I missed her last year when she performed at the state fair. Bad on me. I like the classic violin sounds adapted to modern songs.
AB: What are you most superstitious about?
Morrison: Friday the 13th… Early in my career I was moving a drilling rig from West Texas to the North Slope. We were making a pick with a crane when the slings broke. Did about $150,000 worth of damage to the equipment. What makes this interesting is that my supervisor asked me earlier in the day if I was superstitious. Naturally I said “no.” Well, that all changed.
AB: What is your greatest extravagance?
Morrison: That’s a tough question. I consider myself frugal, others may say cheap. It’s always been difficult to let go of those dollars; however I would say the fat tire bike was a nice gift to myself.
AB: What’s your best and worst attribute?
Morrison: I’ve been told that I’m a patient person. Let’s call that the good attribute. For those areas of improvement—I can be pretty stubborn and intolerant if put in a corner. 
Images © Kerry Tasker