ROCKLAND — After 18 years of dedication to furthering the organization’s mission and values, with eight of those as president, Island Institute President Rob Snyder has announced he will be stepping down from his leadership role at the end of April.

During his tenure, Snyder has been a driving force behind the growth and success of the Rockland-based nonprofit and its support for Maine’s island and coastal communities, a press release noted. 

“Rob’s vision and leadership will be greatly missed by the Island Institute’s staff, board, and nonprofit partners,” said Island Institute Board Chair Emily Lane, in a news release. “His unique approach to exploration, innovation, and culture has been integral to the success of the organization. We are grateful for his dedication to Maine’s islands and coastal communities, and we wish him the best of luck in his next chapter.”

Snyder’s next role will be with ACME Smoked Fish Corp. as their first Culture and Sustainability Officer, where he will be able to put his leadership skills and approach to innovation to work for a fast-growing company with global impact. ACME Smoked Fish is a privately-owned company based in Brooklyn, New York, with manufacturing facilities across the eastern U.S., Chile, and Denmark. 

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve this organization over the past 18 years,” said Snyder. “I love the Island Institute and am very proud of what the organization accomplished during my tenure. We have a talented, dedicated team of people who truly care about the coast of Maine, are part of the communities we serve, and can flex to address any problem that our coast will face in the future. This organization has never been more vital.”

Over the next several months, the Board of Trustees will be working with a talent recruitment firm to conduct a national search for the Island Institute’s next president. As of March 15, Rob Beams, chief operating officer at the Island Institute, will serve as interim president for the duration of the recruitment process. 

Said Beams: “Rob’s foresight and guidance helped recruit an incredible staff, including a leadership team with the expertise to lead our organization through this transition to a new president. It’s an exciting time for the Island Institute. We're growing and hiring for new positions to build our teams and further strengthen our focus on climate action, the coastal economy, and investments in community infrastructure and leadership. We are committed to helping our islands and coast meet the challenges ahead, and we look forward to working with our partners, supporters, and communities to continue to build resilience along the Maine coast.”

The Island Institute is a 38-year-old nonprofit organization, based in Rockland, Maine, that works to sustain Maine’s island and coastal communities and is committed to a just, resilient, and vibrant future for the coast of Maine. We work in partnership with courageous leaders to support thriving communities and to confront a changing world. For more information, visit http://www.islandinstitute.org.