AMSEA Staff

CONTACT AMSEA STAFF:
PHONE: 907-747-3287
FAX: 907-747-3259
MAIL: AMSEA 2924 Halibut Point Road Sitka, Alaska 99835

Jerry Dzugan
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Executive Director

Jerry develops marine and boating safety curricula, manages grants, advocates for marine and boating safety, trains commercial fishermen, and is involved with marine safety instructor training. He oversees the commercial fishing safety program.

Jerry has worked in the commercial fishing industry and lived on a small island for many years. He also messes around in many types of small boats.

Becky Martello
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Development Director

Becky joined the AMSEA staff in February 2012. As Development Director she works to build new, and strengthen existing, partnerships with other organizations involved in maritime industries to increase the availability of marine safety education and training. She also assists in managing grants and is responsible for seeking out and securing new funding for injury prevention in the marine environment through safety training and education.

Becky grew up boating and setnetting in Naknek, AK. An outdoor enthusiast, Becky enjoys spending time fishing, hunting, hiking and running.

Grant Turner
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Office & Promotion Manager / Computer Technician

AMSEA's latest hire generally keeps the office running smoothly. He also makes sure that AMSEA's courses are well-promoted in the communities where they occur, and maintains AMSEA's computer system.

Amy Blair
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Finance Manager

Amy handles finance-related tasks, data management and other administrative tasks.

When Amy spends time on the water it is in her skiff or kayak. She also enjoys hiking and gardening.

Mary Chambers
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Course Coordinator

Mary organizes much of AMSEA's training in Alaska and beyond. She finds instructors, arranges for classroom and pool use, negotiates contracts, handles paperwork, and much, much more.

Mary has more boats than anybody else at AMSEA, uses them to commute back and forth from her island house, and plays on the water whenever she can.

Rick Petersen
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Training Coordinator

When Rick isn't on the road teaching commercial fisherman, marine safety instructors or school children, he's in the Sitka office working with Mary to organize new courses. He also assists with gear.

Rick has fished commercially, owned a sailboat and skiffs, but finds his marine passion in kayaking. He is a board member of the Greater Sitka Arts Council, and he raises a son and a daughter in Sitka.

Hope Merritt
Gear Manager
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Hope began her career at AMSEA with a temporary stint during the Spring of 2011 filling in for a permanent staff member who was on leave. In September of 2011 we were pleased to welcome her aboard as the permanant Gear Manager.

Mike Morris
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Southeast Alaska Schools Coordinator

Mike is on staff part-time primarily to provide AMSEA training to young people and schoolteachers in Southeast Alaska.

Mike is a retired public school teacher, an avid outdoor enthusiast, a member of the USCG Auxilary, and a Boy Scout leader.

Krisanne Rice
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Rural Alaska Training Coordinator

Krisanne facilitates cold water safety and survival training on land and water in rural Alaska communities. She is no newcomer to AMSEA. She helped pilot test AMSEA's instructor course curriculum 25 years ago when she worked as an EMS trainer.

Being on the water is nothing new to Krisanne either. She was a crew member on the Te Vega, a 156' gaff rigged schooner, and helped move her from Southampton, England to Copenhagen via the North Sea and Norway. She has since toned down the size of her boats to kayaks and a skiff and enjoys exploring SE Alaska with her family.