The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has found its new director of commercial fisheries in Scott Kelley, a longtime organization veteran.
Kelley, who has spent nearly 25 years with the Fish and Game department, will assume Jeff Regnart’s former role, which Regnart vacated at the beginning of October. To fill the director’s seat, Kelley has discontinued his duties as coordinator of the shellfish and groundfish fisheries for the Southeast region.
A department-wide letter sent from Commissioner Sam Cotton confirms that Kelley began in his new capacity on 21 October, and will perform his first task as director by representing the department during the upcoming Board of Fisheries’ Anchorage work session.
“His education and experience will be a valued addition to the leadership team,” Cotten wrote, according to the Peninsula Clarion.
Regnart had been director for Alaska Fish & Game since 2011. In Regnart’s stead and before Kelley’s appointment, Division Operating Manager Forrest Bowers has been serving as interim director for the department.
