Mentors

Q: Who would you say were the most important persons in your life? Who were your mentors, people who influenced the direction of your life?

MR. ALM: I have had many really outstanding bosses. Kermit Gordon and Charley Schultze were my bosses at the Bureau of the Budget. Russell Train, whom I worked for at CEQ and EPA, significantly influenced my career. Jim Schlesinger was my boss at the Department of Energy and a good friend. I worked with Bill Ruckelshaus twice while he was at EPA, although only once directly. In my public life, all these people had a major influence on me, and I learned a lot from them.

Q: What did you learn from them?

MR. ALM: I learned how to make decisions in a political environment. Generally, these people were good decision-makers. They are all very honest people. They all had good senses of humor, and they were all very bright. I believe honesty, intelligence and a sense of humor are the three most important characteristics for a public official to possess.

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Mentors

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