b'NEWSWIRENew Marine Director for Alaska Marine Highway SystemC raig Tornga was recently appointed as the new Marine Director for the Alas-ka Marine Highway System (AMHS). Tornga has extensive experience both in the marine industry and in managing multifaceted organizations. He started his maritime career sailing aboard PVA member Crowleys ocean going vessels, and spent over 20 years working hiswayupthroughtheCrowleysMarine Services Division. Since 2017, he has served as the senior vice president for Kirby Offshore Marine in Houston, Texas.Mr.Torngasdecadesofexperienceand knowledge in the unique marine industry here inAlaskaandHoustonspaneveryelement neededforthesuccessfulmanagementofa complex Alaskan owned and operated Marine Highway, said Shirley Marquardt, Alaska Ma-rine Highway Operations Board (AMHOB)decorative | durable | functionalChair. We have confidence that Craig will rise to the challenge and gain the support of our great employees who love the system.Perstatute,DepartmentofTransportation and Public Facilities conferred with AMHOB before offering Mr. Tornga the position. The boardreviewedhiscredentialsinexecutive session on March 13, 2023, and subsequently unanimously supported his candidacy at the public meeting on the same day.TheMarineDirectorposition,formerly known as the AMHS General Manager, has been vacant after the retirement of Captain John Falvey in January 2023.The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 237 airports, 9 ferries serving35communitiesalong3,500marine miles, over 5,600 miles of highway and 839USCG-Certied Light-Weight Aluminum public facilities throughout the state of Alaska.Honeycomb Panels for Passenger Ferriesrigidized.com/markets/marine658 Ohio Street | Buffalo, NY 14203 | marine@rigidized.com43 MAY 2023'