Alaska Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang recently announced two director-level appointments as he continues to fill key leadership roles at ADF&G. Lang has named Dave Rutz Director of the Division of Sport Fish. Sam Rabung has been appointed the Director of Commercial Fisheries.
Rutz and Rabung have long, distinguished careers at the department and bring a wealth of experience to their new roles.
“Dave Rutz and Sam Rabung come to these positions with outstanding qualifications,” said Vincent-Lang. “Both have years of knowledge and experience in Alaska’s fisheries. They have held increasingly complex and diverse positions in the department and have deep connections around the state. I am pleased that they have agreed to serve.”
Rutz has worked in fisheries research and management for nearly 40 years. He spent much of his career at the department’s Division of Sport Fish as an area management biologist in the Northern and Western Cook Inlet Management area. He has also led the department’s Alexander Creek Invasive Northern Pike Removal and Restoration project and worked around the state in various research and management roles. He graduated with a B.S., Wildlife Fisheries Emphasis, St. Cloud State in Minnesota in 1980.
“I’m honored to be appointed and look forward to working with sport fisheries staff and department leadership to carry out the department’s mission to protect and enhance fisheries resources for the benefit of all Alaskans,” said Rutz.
Prior to accepting his new role, Rabung has been serving as section chief for the Division of Commercial Fisheries Statewide Aquaculture, Planning, and Permitting, a position he held since 2015. He has also worked in a variety of positions overseeing hatchery operations around the state. He first joined the department as a fisheries technician in 1983.
Rabung graduated with honors in 1987 from Sheldon Jackson College with a B.S., in Aquatic Resources, Fisheries Science and Aquaculture Emphasis. A lifelong Alaskan, he attended A.J. Dimond High School in Anchorage, where he graduated in 1982. He serves as a voting member on all Regional Planning Teams statewide and as vice chair of the Governor’s Mariculture Task Force.
“I look forward to serving the people of the state in this new role,” said Rabung. “ADFG is a unique and well-respected science agency, and the Division has a very strong team of dedicated and talented professionals. This is an opportunity to work closely with others across the department to ensure we are contributing to the Alaska economy and putting fish on the plates of Alaskans.”
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