Oak Harbor Area Council of the Navy League has a new president.

Retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Steve Bristow will lead the organization, which supports and advocates for the Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine at the local and national level.

He re-places retired Capt. Butch Bailey.

Bristow didn’t volunteer for the job. A selection committee chooses candidates to lead the Navy League. Bristow said the organization’s membership represents “the Who’s Who of Oak Harbor” and he was humbled by the invitation to serve.

“Hopefully, I will make a good fit, with aspirations to be a bit of an activist president,” he said.

His duties include representing the Navy League at the regional level and providing strategic vision for the area council.

Bristow, a native of Tillamook, Ore., moved to Oak Harbor in 1987 and raised three children with his wife, Ranee, a teacher at Oak Harbor Middle School.

Since retiring from the Navy in 2007, he’s remained connected to the military as a local civilian contractor for a large command on the East Coast.

“I still enjoy making a contribution and working along- side our Navy’s great men and women,” he said.

Navy League is an international organization with more than 40,000 members. It does not represent any particular political affiliation.

The local chapter supports area sailors, especially at such events as the Veteran’s Day program, parades, the military appreciation picnic and the Sea & Shore Sailors and Marine of the Year Luncheon, in which the Navy League serves as a co-sponsor.

The Navy League also supports youth programs.

Anyone may join who has an interest in the Navy. The more than 300 local members include military retirees as well as community leaders and businesspeople.