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AMSEA Staff & Board of Directors
AMSEA Staff
Executive Director
Program Manager
Course Coordinator
Promotions/Publications Manager
Office Manager
Trainer/Special Projects
SEAK Trainer
AMSEA Board of Directors
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Julie Matweyou, Chair
Julie is a commercial fisher and an Alaska Sea Grant agent for Kodiak, Alaska. She has been an AMSEA instructor since 2012 and has provided marine safety training to hundreds of commercial fishermen.
Term expires: January 2024
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Norm Pillen, Vice Chair
As a lifelong commercial fisherman, starting with handlining halibut out of a 16’ plywood skiff with my stepfather at the age of 12, purchasing my first boat at the age of 16, hand trolling out of the community of Port Alexander, AK , and a fishing career that has spanned over 40 years, Owner/Operator 12 vessels, and operating from Ketchikan to Sand Point, Trolling for salmon, both Ice and Frozen at Sea, Longlining for Halibut, Sablefish, and rockfish, Commercial Shrimping and Tendering Troll, Seine and Gillnet salmon, I know well the risks, the hard work and the dedication it takes to be a successful producer and at the same time deliver quality product.
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Treasurer - Casey Mapes
Casey, based out of Yakutat, AK has over 50 years of fishing experience. He is a former mayor of Yakutat and has served on many boards over the years, including ATA and Fish and Game advisory board. He is currently serving the community as the Yakutat Fire Chief.
Term expires: January 2025
Fred Mattera
Fred was a commercial fisherman for 40 years out of Point Judith, RI. He is the Executive Director of the Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island and President of the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation. An active, USCG Certified Marine Safety Instructor throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region. In addition, Fred is the President of “The Point Club” a mutual insurance club and past Director for a global marine insurance underwriter, Sunderland Marine Insurance Co. from England.
Term expires: January 2026
Malcolm Wright
Malcolm is a long time resident of Dillingham, Alaska. He has commercial fished and he represents the Bristol Bay region on the AMSEA board.
Term expires: January 2024
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Katie Knifong, Secretary
Term expires: January 2024
Advisory Board
National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH)
Theodore Teske is a health communication specialist for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). He has worked for NIOSH since 1999 developing safety interventions for the commercial fishing, mining, oil and gas, and aviation industries. His research is focused on improving the process of bringing NIOSH research into practice, including conducting health communication and research translation projects with focuses on occupational culture, social marketing, and technology transfer.
Mike Folkerts
Mike is the Recreational Boating Safety Specialist for the U.S. Coast Guard in Alaska. He is also active in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Joe McCullough
Alaska Office of Boating Safety
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Hillary Strayer
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC)
Hillary is the Senior Injury Prevention Specialist for the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) Injury Prevention Program in Anchorage. She leads injury prevention courses and provides data analysis, risk assessments, and technical assistance to Tribal Health Organizations and partners. Her activities have included working with whaling communities in northern Alaska to pilot test white float coats, and promoting float coat use in rural communities.
Scott Wilwert
17th District, USCG
Scott has worked as the Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Program Manager for the Coast Guard’s 17th District which encompasses all the State of Alaska, since August 2014. Prior to that, he worked as a Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Examiner based out of Juneau from 2008-2014. Scott served on active duty for the Coast Guard for 20 years in various capacities at sea as a deck watch officer and boarding officer and ashore as an instructor of navigation and as a search and rescue planner for 38 years of total service with the Coast Guard to date. In addition, he serves as an advisory board member for the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association (AMSEA) and as one of their marine safety training instructors.
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