Captain Conner worked for AU as deckhand for Captain Spencer for three summers from 2018-
2020. He was fresh out of a four-year stint in the US Marine Corps where he “learned how to
walk a straight line and shave my face.” In 2017, after his enlistment concluded, he enrolled in
college and began studying biology. He made his way to AU the following summer and earned
high praise from his captain, his coworkers, and his employers.
Raised in Chehalis, Washington, Conner grew up on a Christmas tree farm bordering the
Newakum river. “Due to the convenience of the location, and a fortunate childhood, I started
fishing at a very young age. Our house quickly became a hangout spot for all my childhood
friends. Fishing has always been a great excuse to get your buddies together and enjoy the
outdoors.”
Conner earned his captain’s license in the winter of 2020 and made the big decision to move to
Sitka full time. AU did not have any vacancies in their captain’s roster at the time, so he ran a
boat for another charter outfit in Sitka for the past three years (2021-2023) where he gained
plenty of experience at the helm. This year Conner got the news about an opening at AU and
jumped on it. He’s excited to be back on our team. The feeling is quite mutual.
On April 6, 2024, Conner and former AU hostess Liz Nunes got married. Liz works as a nurse in
Sitka.