Ahern was the first director of the California Coastal Commission’s Division of Energy and Ocean Resources from 1977—1981 before directing three divisions of the California Public Utilities Commission from 1981—1991.
He went on to become chief of enforcement and a deputy commissioner of the California Department of Insurance from 1991—1995, and a senior policy analyst for the Consumers Union from 1996—1998.
“The coast is California’s most spectacular natural resource, and I am very happy to be able to work on its behalf with the most innovative environmental agency in state government,” Ahern said. “The people of California want and deserve a coast that is accessible to them, and whose natural environment is protected for the benefit of future generations.”
Ahern assumed the position on Jan. 20. He succeeds Michael Fischer, who resigned to become Environmental Program Officer at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
“We are very pleased to find someone with Dr. Ahern’s qualifications to direct the Conservancy,” said Robert Kirkwood, chair of the Coastal Conservancy.
Ahern was educated at the U.S. Air Force Academy and earned a Ph.D. in Public Policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in 1973. He was a Fellow in Marine Policy and Ocean Management at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in the early 1970s.
For more information, visit the Coastal Conservancy’s web site at www.coastalconservancy.ca.gov.