The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute has named Alexa Tonkovich its new executive director.
Tonkovich previously served as the organization’s international director, supervising its overseas marketing programs. Her appointment was announced Oct. 26 after an ASMI board meeting in Anchorage.
Tonkovich replaces Ray Riutta, who served as interim director following the resignation of Michael Cerne in July. Cerne had served as the director of the state-backed marketing agency since January 2013.
ASMI will receive $24.8 million in state funding this fiscal year, but like all state-funded agencies it is facing pressure to make cuts. ASMI is also pressured in the markets by a glut of salmon that sent prices plummeting this year by nearly half.
