Following an extensive nationwide search, the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute Board of Directors has selected retired Coast Guard Captain Michael Cerne to replace Executive Director Ray Riutta upon his retirement. 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 Trident Seafoods chairman Joe Bundrant. “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.”
Cerne served in the U.S. Coast Guard for 31 years and retired in 2011 with the rank of Captain. He is a graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy with a degree in Marine Science, and also has a Master of Marine Affairs degree 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 from 1998-2002 at USCG 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, 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.
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