Reading Time 3 minutes Long-time Leader Hinman Retires, Kramer Steps In
Waterford, VA – August 27, 2019 – After 41 years at the helm, Wild Oceans President Ken Hinman will be stepping down on September 30, 2019. Replacing him in the position, Wild Oceans Board of Directors has recruited veteran nonprofit leader Rob Kramer, former President of the International Game Fish Association. “I am both excited and honored for the opportunity to lead an organization that has done so much for marine fish conservation over the last 46 years”, Kramer said. “As one of their many outside partners, I have enjoyed working with Ken and the extremely talented Wild Oceans staff on several important conservation initiatives over the years. I now look forward to working with them from the inside as part of the Wild Oceans team”.
Hinman will not be going far, as part of the transition plan will have him joining the Wild Oceans Board of Directors, thus continuing to provide his leadership and experience to ensure the organization’s continued success.
“I’m very proud of a career that spans the evolution of marine fish conservation in this country and I feel lucky to have had this chance to change things for the better, for future generations,” Hinman said. “My moving on is just another of those changes. I’ve known and worked with Rob for years and I’m confident that Wild Oceans will be in good hands to continue our uniquely successful mission.”
Under Ken’s leadership, the organization, among many other things: built an unprecedented network of ocean stakeholders to strengthen federal law to end overfishing and restore depleted populations of fish; played a leading role in the recovery of iconic species like striped bass and Atlantic swordfish; protected large areas off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts from drift nets and longlines, saving many thousands of threatened billfish, sharks and sea turtles from this deadly gear; and launched a national movement to protect menhaden, herring and other prey fish, the foundation for all life at the top of the food chain. (see wildoceans.org/history)
A dinner honoring Ken will be held in October in Savannah, Georgia, where the organization was founded in 1973 as the National Coalition for Marine Conservation (NCMC).
“We are extremely excited to have Rob officially join the Wild Oceans team”, said Wild Oceans Chairman Tim Choate. “Rob brings over two decades of experience in the marine fisheries management arena and an in-depth knowledge of nonprofit administration. With Rob as President and Ken remaining actively involved as a member of the Board of Directors, the future looks more promising than ever for Wild Oceans”.
for more information contact Ken Hinman (703)777-0037 or Rob Kramer (954)483-1456
