Alan was a reporter with The Otago Daily Times, had a career with the Royal New Zealand Air Force, both in New Zealand and overseas, worked with a nationwide construction company, managed a health service and worked with the mentally and physically disabled in a paid and also voluntary capacity. He is a qualified scuba diver, a New York trained photographer and once held a pilot's license. He is also interested in gardening and web page design, as well as being involved with the SETI League as one of the millions around the world who have linked the power of their computers together to try and find intelligent extra-terrestrial life.