2022 Annual Meeting

Bob Desautel

GAPP Board of Directors Chairman

Bob Desautel is co-founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Global Seas and Nina Fisheries, Inc. In 1994, he co-founded Nina Fisheries, and proceeded to co-found Global Seas in 2001 as a subsidiary of Nina Fisheries. In 1978, while studying business at the University of Nevada, Desautel began his career as a deckhand fishing in the North Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea. Taking quickly to the industry and advancing to Captain in 1980, he went on to serve as Captain of various fishing vessels until 2002, when he retired from the ocean to focus solely on the expansion of Global Seas. Since making the transition from the wheelhouse, Desautel has worked tirelessly at promoting Wild Alaska Pollock and educating the public about the benefits and attributes of the fish. Desautel was instrumental in the reformation of the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP 2.0). Desautel has served as President and Member of the Board of the North Pacific Fishing Vessel Owners’ Association. Desautel also co-founded United Catcher Boats, serving as a Member of the Board and later as Vice President, all the while promoting the organization’s importance to the Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, and West Coast fisheries.

Craig Morris

GAPP CEO

Dr. Craig Morris is GAPP’s exuberant CEO. He’s been a lifelong passionate advocate and ambassador for the U.S. food and agriculture industry and has dedicated his entire professional career to advancing the interests of various U.S. agricultural commodities. He’s done it all, from pork to beef to poultry and everything in between working for the National Pork Board (NPB), United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service and Future Beef Operations, LLC, to name a few. Craig received his Bachelor of Science degree with a distinction in Animal Science from Iowa State University and served as a regent’s graduate fellow while earning his Doctorate in Animal Science from Texas A&M University.

Amanda Buckle

Managing Editor, SeafoodNews.com at Urner Barry

Amanda Buckle is the managing editor of Seafood News and Urner Barry’s Reporter, a quarterly food-industry focused newsmagazine. Amanda joined the team at Urner Barry in Toms River, New Jersey, in 2017 after working as a senior editor at the International Business Times and modern media brand Mic, both based in New York City. In addition to covering top-trending industry stories and leading a team of global contributors, Amanda also hosts the Seafood News weekly recap video and the Seafood News podcast. She also launched the popular YouTube series “Watch Us Eat!” with Urner Barry seafood market reporter and co-star Lorin Castiglione, where they sample new seafood products and menu items hitting the market to encourage and promote seafood consumption, all while injecting an element of fun for the viewers.

Master of Ceremonies

Session: Food Trends that Matter to Wild Alaska Pollock

Jon Kurland

NOAA, Regional Administrator, Alaska Regional Office

Jon became Regional Administrator in March 2022. He previously served in three other senior leadership roles in the Alaska Region: Assistant Regional Administrator for Habitat Conservation, Acting Deputy Regional Administrator, and Assistant Regional Administrator for Protected Resources. Before moving to Alaska, Jon was the national Essential Fish Habitat Coordinator based at NOAA Fisheries' headquarters office, and prior to that he worked in the habitat program in NOAA Fisheries' Northeast Region (now called the Greater Atlantic Region).

Session: The Importance of Industry Relationships and Common Goals

Ron Rogness

GAPP Economic and Policy Advisor

Ron Rogness started his career nearly 30 years ago as a commercial fisherman in Washington State and later in Alaska. Rogness currently serves as an economic consultant to GAPP, assisting with fishery and trade reports, business-to-business sustainability efforts, and as a “technical” media expert. Previously, Rogness served as staff economist for the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, in purchasing roles at Long John Silvers and the Unified Foodservice Purchasing Co-op, LLC, and as the Vice President of Sustainability and Corporate Relations at American Seafoods. His extensive environmental advocacy, resource economics knowledge, and international trade experience lends GAPP a constant helping hand.

Session: Wild Alaska Pollock Fishery Update

Christine Durkin

GAPP Partnerships Advisor

Christine Durkin is a skilled marketing professional who officially joined the GAPP team in April 2021. Durkin will serve as a Marketing Consultant working part-time for GAPP, helping to manage its Partnership Programs around the world and identifying new marketing opportunities. Durkin spent much of her career at Unilever, championing as the North America Marketing Director for major brands in the food industry, before moving to start-up Yummly as Head of Strategic Partnerships. She then moved into consulting roles where she was then discovered from her unique, extensive experience by GAPP.

Session: 2023 Partnership Preview

Chris Rich

Vice President, Eat Well Global

Chris received his degree in Food Microbiology from The Ohio State University but like many college graduates, his professional career did not immediately follow his area of study. After several years in the health & wellness industry, Chris’s career path changed when his son was diagnosed with celiac disease. He immersed himself into helping the gluten-free community and worked for two different non-profit organizations, assisting with their branding, marketing strategies and business development. Chris has built multiple relationships with manufacturers, distributors and retailers and hecontinues his creative work in the food and nutrition space as a Vice President at Eat Well Global.

Lauren Hasse

Director, Ketchum Analytics

Lauren Hasse is a market research and consumer insights specialist, who’s been with Ketchum for 6 years. She’s currently a Director for Ketchum Analytics, based in Chicago. She’s an expert in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. She’s experienced in multi-discipline research including message development and testing, brand positioning, communications measurement, campaign evaluation, segmentation research and issues & crises. She has a passion for helping her clients understand audience needs so they can better connect with and influence their target audience. She has worked with organizations across a range of categories including retail, agriculture, food, and CPG. Lauren is a graduate of the University of Missouri with a degree in journalism and an emphasis in strategic communications.

Jim Johnson

CEO, Glacier Fish Company

Jim Johnson is President, Chief Executive Officer and a partner in Glacier Fish Company (Glacier), which owns and operates two American Fisheries Act catcher processors and Glacier is an owner in and manager of North Star Fishing Company which owns four multi-species ground fish catcher processors including a brand new state of the art vessel commissioned in 2021. Jim is a board member of Glacier Fish Company and North Star Fishing Company, is board President of the At-Sea Processors Association (APA), and is a board member of the Pacific Whiting Conservation Cooperative. Prior to his current Role at Glacier, Jim served as President of Glacier since 2011 and was Glacier’s Vice President of Corporate Finance and Development starting in 2009. Prior to his career at Glacier, Jim was a Managing Director and regional division head at KeyBanc Capital Markets with a focus on maritime industries and started his career in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at PNC Capital Markets Metals and Mining Division. Jim has a degree from the University of Rochester studying Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration and a master’s degree from the Joseph M. Katz School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh.

Doug Christensen

CEO, Arctic Storm

Doug Christensen joined Arctic Storm Holding Company LLC in October of 1986 and was promoted to president in 1992. Today, Doug holds the additional title of CEO. Doug attended the University of Washington and earned two degrees: a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting. In addition to his GAPP board membership, Doug serves as chairman of the United States Surimi Commission, as president of the Pollock Conservation Cooperative, and as director of the At-Sea Processors Association.

Christine Durkin

GAPP Partnerships Advisor

Christine Durkin is a skilled marketing professional who officially joined the GAPP team in April 2021. Durkin will serve as a Marketing Consultant working part-time for GAPP, helping to manage its Partnership Programs around the world and identifying new marketing opportunities. Durkin spent much of her career at Unilever, championing as the North America Marketing Director for major brands in the food industry, before moving to start-up Yummly as Head of Strategic Partnerships. She then moved into consulting roles where she was then discovered from her unique, extensive experience by GAPP.

Session: 2023 Partnership Preview