'My goal is to reach the full potential of a coordinated and integrated global CLIA,' he told Seatrade Cruise News.
After 30 years in the US Coast Guard, where he attained the rank of rear admiral, Ostebo's skills include expertise leading large groups, and collaborating and building relationships to move forward as a team.
His last USCG role was director of strategic management. Earlier he served as commander for the 17th District, leading Coast Guard operations in Alaska, the Arctic and North Pacific.
As he transitioned from military service, Ostebo wanted to stay connected to the maritime industry. He saw CLIA as an interesting opportunity to apply his expertise in international engagement to an organization with offices around the world and in emerging markets, serving 'a great industry that's growing.'
Ostebo said he's spent a lot of time on the phone getting to know leaders like CLIA Europe chairman Pierfrancesco Vago of MSC Cruises and vice chairman David Dingle of Carnival UK. After his appointment to CLIA but before his official start on July 6, he met cruise executives and CLIA Executive Partners during CLIA's annual congressional caucus in early June.
Global CLIA chairman Adam Goldstein of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. led the months-long search for a successor to Christine Duffy, who helmed CLIA during four eventful years.
Wednesday morning, Ostebo's third day on the job, he talked to reporters in 10-minute stints. A public relations agency that set up the appointments asked for questions in advance.
Ostebo said he's 'getting smart on the industry and learning the details.'
Besides his USCG work in Alaska, an important cruise region, Ostebo's direct experience of cruise ships came 50 feet above the deck as a search and rescue pilot. He was involved in a number of rescues in areas from Alaska to Florida.
Ostebo counts at least two USCG veterans in the cruise business as close friends.
They are Keith Taylor, evp fleet operations, Holland America Group, also a rear admiral and pilot, and Bill Baumgartner, svp marine operations, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., another rear admiral. Ostebo knew CLIA's Bud Darr, svp technical and regulatory affairs, who was a legal officer in the USCG, only by his 'great reputation.'
