GAPP Membership Elects New Directors, Sets Assessment Rate for Coming Year; Board Elects Officers
Significant resources will be dedicated to both building demand for Wild Alaska Pollock around the world and protecting the reputation of the fishery in the coming year, the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) announced today. At its annual Board and Membership meetings, the GAPP members voted to maintain its current assessment rate to support additional demand-building work, including the incredibly successful GAPP Partnership Program, as well as to support challenges facing the industry long-term.
“Over the last year, GAPP has invested heavily in telling the story of the fishery, especially in Alaska,” said Jim Johnson, GAPP’s new Chairman of the Board. “Those efforts will continue with vigor over the next year, as well GAPP’s Partnership Program and strategic efforts to build demand in key markets. The GAPP membership stands united behind these dual goals and are confident that GAPP will make significant progress against them next year.
Additionally, the membership voted to have Luke Fanning of the Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association (APICDA) serve as a Board member representing the Community Development Quota Group Sector, replacing Grant Mirick, also of APICDA. Justin Johnson, of the Akutan Catcher Vessel Association, replaces Bob Desautel as the Catcher Vessel Cooperative Sector Director on the Board. And, Jeb Towne, of Global Seas, joins the Board as a new At-Large Director.
With those changes, the eleven members elected to guide the organization in 2026 are as follows:
- Hunter Berns – Bering North
- Joe Bundrant – Trident Seafoods
- Doug Christensen – Arctic Storm Management Group
- Eric Deakin – Coastal Villages Region Fund
- Luke Fanning – Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association
- John Henderschedt – Phoenix Processor Limited Partnership
- Mark JoHahnson – Westward Seafoods
- Jim Johnson – Glacier Fish Company
- Justin Johnson – Akutan Catcher Vessel Association
- James Mize – Golden Alaska Seafoods
- Jeb Towne – Global Seas
Also at its meeting, the new GAPP Board unanimously elected Jim Johnson as Chairman of the Board. Johnson replaces Bob Desautel, who has served as GAPP’s Chairman since 2022. Johnson is President, Chief Executive Officer and a partner in Glacier Fish Company (Glacier) where for the past 17 years he has served in key executive roles.
The new GAPP Board also unanimously elected Doug Christensen to remain as the association’s Vice Chairman, John Henderschedt as Secretary, and Jeb Towne to serve as Treasurer.
“It is exciting to have new leadership in Luke, Jeb and Justin join the GAPP Board and bring their expertise, passion for our industry and vision forward,” said Johnson. “With new additions come fond farewells—it is hard to express the gratitude that the entire industry owes to Bob and Grant for their years of service in guiding GAPP, especially during challenging times.”
GAPP’s Board will vote on its full strategic plan for the coming year at its March Board meeting.
