The guy retiring as head of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute is a former U.S. Coast Guard officer.
And the guy who's coming in to replace him? You guessed it, a former Coast Guard officer.
Here's the press release:
Aug. 13, 2012
ASMI announces new executive director
JUNEAU — Following an extensive nationwide search, the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute board of directors has selected retired U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Michael Cerne to replace Executive Director Ray Riutta.
Cerne will begin working in the ASMI Juneau office in September to allow for several months of overlap before Riutta retires in December.
"While it will be difficult to replace someone the caliber of Ray Riutta, I'm very happy with the board's decision and we are quite confident that Mr. Cerne will be an effective leader at ASMI for years to come," said board Chairman Joe Bundrant of Trident Seafoods.
"I've known Michael and his good work for years. His combination of skills and experience will make him a very good addition to ASMI," Riutta said.
Cerne served in the Coast Guard for 31 years and retired in 2011 with the rank of captain.
He is a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy with a degree in marine science. He also has a master of marine affairs degree from the University of Rhode Island.
Cerne served on five Coast Guard cutters in his career, three of which were based in Alaska, including command of Storis in Kodiak.
Ashore, his assignments included commanding officer of the North Pacific Fisheries Training Center in Kodiak, and chief of fisheries law enforcement from 1998 to 2002 at Coast Guard headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Cerne's final assignment was at the Coast Guard district office in Juneau where he managed Alaska fishery patrol operations and served on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, the North Pacific Research Board and a number of international fishery management organizations.
He is currently completing a project with the United Nations to improve the management of global tuna fisheries.
Cerne is married to the former Holly Hagerty of North Carolina. They have two children, Kathryn, 18, and Sarah, 16.