Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute has appointed Michael Cerne as executive director.
Cerne, a retired Coast Guard captain, replaces Ray Riutta, who is retiring. Cerne will begin his new role in September to allow for several months of overlap before Riutta’s departure in December.
Cerne served in the Coast Guard for 31 years and retired in 2011. He is a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy with a degree in Marine Science, and also has a Master of Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island.
He served on five Coast Guard cutters in his career, three of which were based in Alaska, including command of USCGC STORIS in Kodiak. Ashore, his assignments included commanding officer of the North Pacific Fisheries Training Center in Kodiak, and chief of fisheries law enforcement for the Coast Guard 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 Alaskan 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 completing a project with the United Nations to improve the management of global tuna fisheries.
“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,” said Riutta.
“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 Joe Bundrant, board chairman.
