The Cruise Line International Association today announced Bud Darr will assume the role of Vice President of Technical and Regulatory Affairs.

Darr will lead the technical and regulatory affairs function at CLIA, including monitoring of domestic and international regulatory policies, developing industry-wide recommendations and representing the industry on a variety of technical and regulatory issues. In addition, Darr will lead the Technical and Regulatory Affairs team in their role as CLIA representatives at the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Darr joined CLIA in September 2010 after 17 years of service in a variety of roles both military and civilian for the U.S. Coast Guard, and has been Director of Environmental and Health Programs. Prior to joining CLIA, Darr served as Deputy Chief of the Office of Maritime and International Law, where he was responsible for the domestic and international legal aspects of numerous mission areas. During his notable career, Darr was also an enlisted submarine nuclear propulsion supervisor in the U.S. Navy, after which he enrolled at Kings Point, where he graduated with honors in the Marine Transportation program and received his Merchant Marine License as a deck officer. Darr is licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia and received his Juris Doctorate degree with honors from George Washington University Law School. Darr succeeds Michael Crye, who is leaving CLIA after twelve years of distinguished senior leadership to the cruise industry.

“I look forward to Bud Darr’s continued leadership on behalf of the cruise industry,” said Christine Duffy, president and CEO of CLIA. “Bud is a maritime and cruise industry expert who has provided tremendous value to CLIA members, and we look forward to working with him on many of the critical issues that will shape our growing and dynamic industry for many years to come.”