Gordon was born and raised in Juneau and has called Southeast Alaska home all his life. He graduated from Juneau-Douglas High School in 1969 and from Washington State University in 1974. After returning to Juneau from college, Gordon worked for several air taxi companies based in Juneau before deciding to move to Angoon in 1976 to help friends revitalize a fish buying station there to provide a market for local fishermen. After a year of fish buying, he decided that there was more adventure to be had in catching them and started what turned out to be a 20-year career in commercial fishing out of Angoon. With fishing being seasonal, Gordon’s work in winter months included additional time with air taxis and many sessions in various capacities with the Alaska Legislature. In 2000, he was appointed as a Special Assistant to the Commissioner at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, a position he held until retirement in 2014.
An experience with serious depression in the late ‘90s led Gordon to seek counseling and other treatment at what was then the community mental health center run by the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ). That treatment, and the support of family and friends, led to his recovery from that critical time and fostered ongoing vigilance of mental health needs, but it also brought recognition of the stigma surrounding mental health issues and the challenges that come with obtaining appropriate, affordable mental health care. In 2000, Gordon was approached by a board member of JAMI (precursor to JAMHI) about service on the JAMI Board. Since joining, he has been pleased with the roles he has played on the Board as JAMHI took over community mental health services from CBJ and built JAMHI into the comprehensive behavioral and primary care provider that it is today.
Gordon enjoys time with family and friends, volunteer work, and hiking, fishing, beachcombing, downhill skiing and other activities in the great outdoors.