ASMI taps new executive director; Collier, Palmer reappointed to board

Retired Coast Guard Captain Michael Cerne has been selected as the new executive director of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute and will replace current Executive Director Ray Riutta upon his retirement in December. 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 U.S. 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 for the U.S Coast Guard from 1998-2002 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, North Pacific Research Board, and a number of international fishery management organizations.

Barry Collier and Mark Palmer were reappointed to the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute board of directors. Collier has been president and chief executive officer of Peter Pan Seafoods Inc. since 1997, and was vice president of administrative operations from 1989-1997. His career also includes service as an administrative assistant, then president of the Pacific Seafood Processors Association from 1985-89, two years as executive director of the North Pacific Fishing Vessel Owners’ Association, and two years as executive manager of the Purse Seine Vessel Owners’ Association. Collier earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Puget Sound in 1978. He has served on the ASMI board since 2004.

Palmer has been president and chief executive officer of Ocean Beauty Seafoods Inc. since 2005, and has been with the organization since 1984, beginning in the Boise distribution location and eventually rising to various sales and management positions. Palmer earned a bachelor’s degree from Boise State University. He has served on the ASMI Board since 2004.