Alan was born in Sanford, Florida, and attended public schools in Central Florida before studying at Valencia Community College and the University of Colorado, Boulder. He spent 32 years as an air traffic control specialist with the Federal Aviation Administration, gaining extensive labor and management experience. Today, he serves on the Tampa City Council, representing District 1 (a citywide seat), and is the first and only openly elected LGBT member of the Council. In addition to his council duties, Alan is a member of the Tampa Bay Committee on Foreign Relations and serves on several boards, including the Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (TBRPC), Tampa Sports Authority (TSA), Tampa Museum of Art, and the Straz Center for the Performing Arts.

Alan was the first openly gay Vice Chair of the Florida Democratic Party and Florida DNC member. He is the Senior Florida Democratic National Committee member, Chair of the DNC Southern Caucus, and is a member of DNC leadership on the DNC National Executive Committee. He previously served as First Vice Chair of the Florida Democratic Party, Campaign, Finance, Rules & By-Laws Committees and the DNC Association of State Democratic Chairs. A delegate at numerous Democratic National Conventions, Alan is recognized for his significant involvement in local, state, and national political campaigns, all while continuing to serve the people of Tampa.