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Contact:  Claudia Hogue
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New Leadership at the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute

JUNEAU, AK (August 16, 2002) On July 24, 2002, the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) selected Ernest (Ray) Riutta as the new executive director to replace the outgoing director, Barbara Belknap. Riutta was hired by a selection committee of ASMI board members, which was led by ASMI board chairman Sandro Lane.

In his announcement to the ASMI board, Lane said, "Ray has just the right mix of experience, communications skills, diplomacy and sense of humor to lead our organization through the next stages of ASMI's dynamic growth. Ray is a proven leader, a problem solver, a strategist, as well as a strong team and consensus builder." Riutta will step in as Barbara Belknap, ASMI's director for the past five years, retires. Belknap agrees with the selection committee's choice. "Ray will do a fine job as director. He's used to wearing a lot of hats. Most importantly, he has a reputation as an excellent people manager. ASMI has a great team and I know that Ray will only build on that." Riutta's first day on the job was August 1, 2002.

Riutta changed hats virtually overnight from one of the top four officers in the US Coast Guard to director of the country's largest seafood marketing organization. He and his wife Robin returned to Alaska in late June after his last tour of duty in Alameda, California. Like many military families who experience life in Alaska, they decided to make the state their permanent home. This commitment to Alaska, as well as Riutta's family history in salmon fishing in Oregon, were two of the reasons he threw his hat in the ring.

During his 34 years with the Coast Guard, Riutta served in Vietnam, did a stint in London, commanded four ships and served on six, was the Commander of the 17th Coast Guard District (Alaska), and served two terms on the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council. According to selection committee member Jay Stinson, a pollock and cod fisherman from Kodiak, "Ray is highly respected by the groundfish industry for his work on the Council. The fishermen and processors enjoyed working with him on both a professional and a personal level." Riutta also was charged with appearing before the various USCG oversight committees in Congress to obtain funding for the service. This experience was particularly appealing to the committee as ASMI's tax-generated budget continues to decline and the need for additional funding becomes more urgent.

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