November 20, 2024 — The Responsible Offshore Development Alliance (RODA) announced Tuesday that its longtime executive director Annie Hawkins will be succeeded by Lane Johnston, now policy director for the national commercial fisheries coalition.
Launched in 2017, RODA was created to advocate for commercial fishermen and their communities as the federal government and wind energy industry stepped up efforts to develop offshore renewable energy. Originally focused on the potential impacts on East Coast fishermen, RODA broadened its national advocacy and cooperative research programs to the West Coast and Gulf of Mexico.
New acting executive director Lane Johnston has been part of RODA almost from its start, “driving our advocacy as programs manager, and has a powerful record of steadfast commitment to our membership and the fishing industry,” the group said in its announcement. “With a background in marine biology and years of fisheries policy work under her belt, Lane’s institutional knowledge and expertise will guide us forward.”