Kelley named Alaska comfish director

Alaska Department of Fish and Game veteran Scott Kelley will be the state's new commercial fisheries director, succeeding Jeff Regnart.

Here's the memo sent last week to department employees:

Dear ADF&G staff,

I am pleased to announce Scott Kelley has accepted the position of Director of the Division of Commercial Fisheries. Many of you know Scott because he has worked for the Division of Commercial Fisheries for nearly 25 years, most recently as a fish and game coordinator for the shellfish and groundfish fisheries in Southeast. Scott holds a Bachelor’s degree in fisheries management and Master’s degree in fisheries science. He also has substantial expertise in the Alaska Board of Fisheries process, years of experience in salmon enhancement planning and project development, a solid understanding of the Pacific Salmon Treaty, and intimate knowledge of the budget process and the various fund sources that make up the division’s budget. His education and experience will be a valued addition to the leadership team.

His first day as director will officially be Wednesday, October 21. Scott will begin by representing the department at the Board of Fisheries Work Session in Anchorage.

Many thanks to Forrest Bowers for stepping forward to act as director during the last few weeks while recruitment efforts were underway.

Please join me in welcoming Scott to his new role, and offering your assistance as he transitions to the director position.

Sincerely,

Sam Cotten
Commissioner

Regnart leaving as commercial fisheries director

Jeff Regnart is stepping down as the state's commercial fisheries director, effective Oct. 2.

That's according to a note sent on behalf of Commissioner Sam Cotten to Alaska Department of Fish and Game employees.

"Jeff has done an exceptional job serving the division, the department and the state in many capacities for over two decades," the note said. "We hate to see him go, but also understand that personal reasons will take him outside the state."

Regnart was appointed commercial fisheries director in February 2011 during the Parnell administration.

Regnart rises to director of commercial fisheries

Here's a press release from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

Feb. 17, 2011

Jeff Regnart appointed commercial fisheries director

JUNEAU — Commissioner Cora Campbell today announced the appointment of Jeff Regnart as director of the Division of Commercial Fisheries. Regnart will step into his new role today from his regional Central Region supervisor position.

"Jeff comes to this position with outstanding qualifications," Campbell said. "He combines a wealth of knowledge and experience, from commercial fishing and sportfish guiding while attending college in the '80s to recently overseeing some of the most complex and competitive fisheries in the state."

During his career, Regnart has held diverse and increasingly complex positions within the department, in addition to serving on numerous fisheries panels and forums.

In his recent position as supervisor for the Central Region, he was responsible for program administration and supervision of all management and research activities including those for Bristol Bay, Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound.

Before being appointed regional supervisor in 2003, Regnart worked his way up from biologist I in 1990 to biologist IV in 1998. He started his career with the department as a fish and wildlife technician in 1984.

"I'm humbled and honored to be appointed director and look forward to working with commercial fisheries staff and department leadership to carry out our mission," Regnart said.

Regnart attained a bachelor's degree in biology from Western Washington University and attended Humboldt State University where he completed his master's in fishery management.

The Division of Commercial Fisheries manages commercial, subsistence and personal use fisheries. The division's core services include stock assessment and applied research, harvest management, aquaculture permitting and information services and statistics.