2023 Annual Meeting

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

Amin Nabli

Chief Operations Officer, Aquamar Holdings, Inc.

Experience

Amin is a driven and agile leader with over 20 years of international sales and marketing experience predominantly in the consumer-packaged goods industry.  He is a dynamic individual with a proven track record of success managing large, complex portfolios and high-performance teams with consistent over delivery of results across retail and foodservice channels in diverse geographies - United States, Canada and the Middle East. 

Prior to joining Aquamar, Amin held several high-level leadership roles within Reckitt Benckiser (RB), a $14B household and healthcare company. These include most recently, SVP Sales, Middle East region, managing the sales organization across 12 countries and 15 brands and prior to that role, VP Sales Drug channel US managing a health and personal care portfolio of over $500MM. 

Before joining RB, Amin worked at several other reputable organizations – Henkel and Sara Lee Corp. At Henkel he worked as Trade Marketing Lead for a personal care business that had been acquired from P&G, and at Sara Lee Corp he built his skill set with experience through a broad range of sales and trade marketing roles both in the field as well as in company headquarters.  

Amin is also well versed in M&A activities.  While at RB his performance and business acumen was recognized with the opportunity to work on prospective M&A strategy for the company with development of overall strategy to expand RB footprint within HC industry.

Education

Amin earned an MBA from Thunderbird University and BSc in Management Information Systems from Miami University.

Personal

Amin is a well-rounded individual who enjoys sports and leisure. He was an avid tennis player reaching high level of competition including Davis Cup playing for his native country, Tunisia.  Amin also played competitively in Division I athletics in the US. Aside from tennis he also enjoys playing soccer, cycling, and traveling. Amin is fluent in 4 languages - English, French, Arabic, and Spanish.

Angel Rubio

Economist at Urner Barry

Angel Rubio is Urner Barry’s Senior Analyst for UB Consulting, the company’s advisory services arm. His primary duties include performing custom research reports, developing quantitative and qualitative analyses on the economy and the protein commodity industry, and presenting findings to customers, as well as in conferences and webinars. He also leads Urner Barry’s first proprietary forecast report for egg prices. 

He joined Urner Barry in 2006 as a seafood market reporter, starting price quotations for main items like tilapia, mahi-mahi, and pangasius, among others. His duties expanded into overseeing existing monthly seafood insiders’ reports and developing new ones. He also forged vital alliances with trade associations abroad in the agri-food, aquaculture, and fisheries industries and directed all business development in Latin America from 2007 to 2018. 

Angel has been a guest speaker at numerous conferences domestically and abroad, including the Global Seafood Market Conference, Aqua India, Aqua Expo Ecuador, Global Protein Summit, and ISM World, among many others. 

Finally, Angel worked as a Sr. Category Manager at Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods, a Thai Union company, from July 2018 to February 2020. 

Angel holds an M.S. in Applied Economics from Boston College and a B.S. in Economics and International Business from Villanova University; he also has a certificate in Data Science from Columbia University and diplomas from East China Normal University and the London School of Economics. 

Angela Kim

Social Media Influencer

Angela Kim is a digital creator and blogger living in Orange County CA. As one of the first Asian American creators in the motherhood space, she reaches millions of people with her elevated but relatable home, lifestyle and travel content. She is passionate about building a dream life from home while documenting her messy but empowering journey of motherhood, work and self-discovery.

Angelica Castaneda

Social Media Influencer

Angelica is a former Fortune 100 travel & lifestyle leader with over 20 years of experience in sales and marketing. Having worked with leading brands in the last seven years as a content creator, her passion lies in inspiring women through her recipes, family travel and the journey of motherhood.

Antonia Lofaso

Executive Chef and Owner of three acclaimed Los Angeles restaurants

Chef Antonia Lofaso is the Executive Chef and Owner of three acclaimed Los Angeles restaurants - Black Market Liquor Bar (Studio City, California), Scopa Italian Roots (Venice, California), and DAMA (Downtown Los Angeles, California). Though diverse in cuisine and style, each of her restaurants combine deep-rooted, personal culinary traditions with the influence of her globetrotting adventures and formal French training.

Antonia is widely recognized for her role as host of Food Network's Beachside Brawl and The Julia Child Challenge as well as recurring roles on Guys Grocery Games, Tournament of Champions, and Supermarket Stakeout, to name just a few, as well as Bravo’s Top Chef and CNBC’s Restaurant Startup.

In addition to her thriving restaurant businesses and television career, Antonia is also an entrepreneur whose line, Chefletics, has redefined the traditional fit and function of kitchen apparel.

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, a business that later developed internationally as it extended to Chile and Argentina in 1998. In 2001, Bob co founded Global Seas, a subsidiary of Nina Fisheries, that quickly became one of the West Coast’s premier vessel management companies. Under Bob’s direction, Global Seas’ expanded its business enterprise to the East Coast and ventured into the maritime research field in 2002.

In 1978, while studying business at the University of Nevada, Bob began his career as a deckhand fishing in the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea. In 1980, he advanced to the role of Captain and operated various fishing vessels. Bob possesses a United States Coast Guard (issue no.7) Masters 3000 ITC License. In 2002, he retired from the ocean to focus on the expansion of Global Seas.

Bob has served as President and Member of the Board of the North Pacific Fishing Vessel Owners’ Association, advocating safety education for the commercial fishing industry by providing information about USCG requirements, OSHA compliance standards, MARPOL, hands-on training programs, and safety seminars and workshops. In 1993, Bob co-founded United Catcher Boats, served 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. His efforts serving on these Boards, as well as his involvement in other various organizations, have both improved safety and created efficiencies in the commercial fishing and maritime industries.

Currently, Bob is on the board of the directors with the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) and United Boat Catchers (UBC). His involvement with GAPP and the fishing industry is to promote, elevate and expand Wild Caught Alaskan Pollock’s profile to tablecloth restaurants and grocery stores across North America.

Brian Carriveau

VP of Food & Beverage and Merchandise, Climate Pledge Arena

Brian Carriveau is a tenured sports hospitality leader with experience developing and executing premium food & beverage experiences at large entertainment properties.

Brian is currently the VP of Food & Beverage and Merchandise at Climate Pledge Arena. He recently joined the team in July of 2023. He works closely with Delaware North, The Kraken, & Climate Pledge Arena to provide the best & most environmentally friendly food & beverage program of any venue in the world. Together we are constantly working to pushing the bar on all areas of the arena from how have traditionally been run.

Before joining the Climate Pledge Arena team, Brian previously held the role of Director of Premium with Bon Appetit Management Company at Oracle Park in San Francisco.  He was at Oracle Park for 17 years in a variety of roles.  During this time, he led the Premium Team through three World Series Championships, helped develop & open new Private Clubs, & collaborated in Bon Appetit’s successful bid for Chase Center.  In addition to providing one of the premier food & beverage programs in MLB, he also oversaw 100+ high end private events at the ballpark.

Brian is originally from North Dakota and has lived in Yosemite National Park & San Francisco before moving to Seattle.

Chris Voigt

SVP, Corporate Partnerships, Seattle Mariners

Chris Voigt is a senior executive with over 15 years of strategic marketing and global commercial expertise in business development and large-scale, multi-year global sponsorship alliances with some of the largest and most prominent corporations in the world. He joined the Seattle Mariners in
January 2023 as Senior Vice President, Corporate Partnerships and is responsible for leading the department, creating and
activating cross-functional partnerships, building and strengthening relationships with partners, negotiating contracts, and growing revenues.

Prior to the Mariners, Chris served as Senior Vice President, Strategic Partnerships for Whoop Inc., a sports technology wearable and analytics brand based in Boston. There he
managed partnerships with CrossFit, the WTA and the PGA Tour, among others, and led the sports marketing team. Earlier in his career he also oversaw as Vice President, Marketing for IOC Television & Marketing Services in Geneva, Switzerland the Olympic Movement’s global partnership program and held
several roles with the sporting goods brand PUMA over a 10- year stint, finishing his tenure as Senior Head of Global Sports
Marketing & Sports Licensing.

Chris, who started his career as a lawyer, is a dual German American citizen. He has degrees from Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich and the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago-Kent College of Law. An athlete himself, Chris is a three-time world champion and world record holder in frisbee distance.

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.

Senator Dan Sullivan

U.S. Senator from Alaska

Deborah Henderson

Account Director, Ketchum

Deborah Henderson is an Account Director at Ketchum with nearly a decade of specialized expertise in food marketing, nutrition, and B2B communications. Deborah’s expertise lies in navigating intricate communication challenges, and she has spearheaded impactful marketing campaigns for a diverse clientele, including notable names like the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers, California Milk Advisory Board, National Pork Board, and Nestle Professional. With a sharp focus on crafting compelling narratives, driving consumer engagement, and adeptly navigating complex stakeholder landscapes, Deborah's strategic expertise is grounded in a deep understanding of the food industry's dynamics. Her exceptional track record and dedication to delivering results cement her reputation as a dynamic leader in the field.

Emily Gibson

Environmental Compliance Manager, UniSea

Emily has been with UniSea since 2012 and was initially responsible for the development and implementation of the Integrated Environmental Management System (IEMS) and project management of change before being promoted to Environmental Compliance Manager in 2014. As the EC Manager, she is responsible for company-wide compliance with State and Federal permitting and reporting, as well as supervising process engineering studies to assess and enhance operational efficiency for pollution prevention, environmental initiatives, and sustainability. She has developed and coordinated UniSea’s Leadership Team, the annual UniSea Scholarship Committee and is highly involved in community outreach for the company.

Emily is a Future Leaders Program graduate of the National Fisheries Institute and works diligently to help ensure UniSea is upholding the most innovative and sustainable practices for our industry.

Outside of work, Emily sits on the Board of Directors for the Unalaskans Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence where she is helping to make her community a safer place for all residents. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters on their boat, exploring the Bering Sea, and teaching her daughters to protect, appreciate, and nurture the beautiful Island they call home.  

Hamdi Mohamed

Position 3 | Commissioner, Port of Seattle

Hamdi Mohamed was elected to the Port of Seattle Commission in November 2021. She made history as the first Somali woman elected to public office in Washington State, and the first Black woman elected to the Port of Seattle Commission. 

Mohamed’s decision to run for Port Commission stems from her long history and connection with the Port. Mohamed’s father was a truck driver, and her mother worked at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA). And Mohamed and her husband currently live near SEA in the City of SeaTac and are both proud University of Washington Graduates. 

In addition to her work at the Port, Mohamed currently serves as Director of the City of Seattle’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs. Prior to her time at the city she served as policy advisor to King County Executive Dow Constantine and was the Deputy District Director for U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal, helping small- and medium-sized businesses navigate the impacts of new public policies. She also worked for CARE International and the Refugee Women Alliance in roles dedicated to fighting poverty and empowering immigrants. 

Mohamed’s priorities as Commissioner include:

• economic development to make the Port more competitive and to create jobs locally;
• equitable economic recovery for workers and small businesses impacted by COVID-19;
• environmental justice by expanding the Port’s role in reducing toxic pollution and promoting renewable energy; and,
• reducing the impact of aircraft noise and pollution on our neighbors.

As the only Port Commissioner living in South King County and representing the neighborhoods around the airport, she is looking to be a strong voice for the community and lead on cleaner aviation fuels and climate action.

Jae Park

Professor of the Surimi School at Oregon State University

Dr. Park is a professor emeritus of Oregon State University after serving 1992-2020. He was elected as IFT Fellow in 2007 which is the most prestigious recognition as a food scientist in the world. He published 160 referred journal articles, 41 book chapters, and 2 patents.  He published three surimi textbooks, Surimi and Surimi Seafood (2000, 2005, and 2014). They are used as a production and technical guide by numerous manufacturers globally and are surimi textbooks published only in English since 1990.  He was a technical director at the largest crabstick manufacturer (SeaFest/JAC Creative Foods) in the United States in 1987-1992. Having devoted his entire professional career to fish protein (surimi) research and outstanding outreach in technology transfer, Dr. Jae Park has distinguished himself as an internationally renowned scientist in surimi research, education, and technology transfer.  He received numerous awards to recognize his accomplishment regionally, nationally and internationally: IntraFish’s global 100 most powerful seafood executives, 2011 Harold Macy Award and others. He also received OSU International Service Award in 1999 and Briskey Award of Faculty Excellence of CAS in 2009. He received the IFT Bor S. Luh International Award in July 2016. As a mentor, he trained over 40 graduate and post-graduate students for their MS and Ph.D. degree along with 9 grand students (his former student’s students).  He hosted over 50 international researchers who conducted various research projects as a visiting scientist. He founded the OSU Surimi School in 1993 and Surimi Industry Forum in 2001 and offered the programs annually in Oregon.  His program extended to Thailand, France, Spain, Japan, China, and Korea.  Through his 72 different programs (surimi forum and surimi school), over 7,000 attendees were trained since 1993.

PUBLICATIONS/PRESENTATIONS

He has been the PI or co-PI of over 150 projects, which have received approximately US$5.0 million in grant money and/or gift. Resulting from various research projects, he has published 160 refereed journal articles, 2 patents (about the use of radio frequency for uniform pasteurization of muscle foods including surimi seafood), 41 book chapters, and 3 books.  In addition, he has made 305 conference presentations and 122 invited lectures related to advances in surimi and surimi seafood. 

SELECT AWARDS

• The Oldfield Jackman Team Award for Research in Pacific Whiting. September, 1996.
• International Service Award (1999-2000) to recognize exemplary, on-going contributions of OSU faculty and staff to the internationalization of the university. Sept 18, 2000.
• Briskey Award for Faculty Excellence (2009) to recognize faculty achievement within the College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State University. Oct 22, 2009.
• IFT Fellow 2007: A unique professional distinction for extraordinary qualifications and experience and outstanding contributions to the food science and technology field.
• The Harold Macy Award: to recognize an outstanding example of food technology transfer or cooperation between scientists or technologists in any two of the following settings: academic, government, and private industry. March 21, 2011.
• American Seafoods Partnership Trophy: Honoring 15 years of surimi school partnership and the career serving the surimi industry. American Seafoods. April 12, 2011.
• Seafood’s 100 Most Powerful Executives: Seafood Executive (Volume 1, No 1, 2012) – “He sits atop a surimi research empire. His Surimi Forums are now the must-attend event for the sector and he’s franchised from the US into Europe and Asia.”
• Luh S Bor IFT International Award: to recognize those who are making significant contributions to advance the science of food. Institute of Food Technologists. July 16, 2016.

Jake Holbrook

Vice President of Marketing at Gorton’s

Jake Holbrook is the Vice President of Marketing at Gorton’s.

Since 1849, Gorton’s has been focused on helping consumers enjoy the goodness of great seafood. Headquartered in Gloucester, Massachusetts, Gorton’s is one of America’s oldest continuously operating companies, and continues to be the innovative leader in the prepared seafood industry.

Jake joined Gorton’s Marketing department in 2007 after graduating from Boston College. After departing to complete his MBA at the Kellogg School of Management Jake returned to Gorton’s in 2013.  Since then, he has led the Walmart team, the Innovation group, and the Established Business team, before ultimately transitioning to his current role as Vice President of Marketing. In this role Jake and team work to drive Gorton’s mission of Spreading the Goodness of the Sea by Making Quality Seafood Accessible to Everyone.

Jeff Crain

Captain of the Sovereignty, Trident Seafoods

Hello, I’m Jeff Crain

I work for Trident Seafoods as the Captain of the Sovereignty, a 165 foot pollock trawler.

I lived in Alaska until my early teens before moving to Washington State with my family. I was just 17 years old when I took a job butchering crab in Dutch Harbor earning $2.10 per hour. While it wasn’t much, it brought me back to the state I love and launched an amazing career in the fishing industry.

I met my wife aboard the Arctic Trawler in 1984. We have two children who brought to our family the most amazing Son and Daughter in law. We have four grandchildren under the age of 5. As a family we spend a majority of my off time hunting and working our land in Eastern Washington.

Wild Alaskan Pollock has given me the career of a life time and I can’t imagine doing anything else.

Justin Moser

Co-founder of the DubSea Fish Sticks

Justin Moser is one of the co-founders of the DubSea Fish Sticks, who has a passion for creative marketing and sports entertainment.

The DubSea Fish Sticks are a summer collegiate baseball team based out of West Seattle. Originally named the Highline Bears, the team decided to rebrand in the fall of 2021. After running a name-the-team competition, they received national recognition with the final two names; The DubSea Seal Slinger and DubSea Fish Sticks. After more than five thousands votes, from all 50 states and 7 different countries the Fish Sticks name won by less than half a percent. Since the name reveal they have sold merchandise all over the world.

The team’s 2023 summer season saw record crowds at Mel Olson Stadium, also known as “The Fryer”, including selling out five games, the first sellouts in franchise history. Justin prides himself on making sure the Fish Sticks provide fun, affordable, family entertainment, along with some of the best food found in any stadium across the country. The team finds creative ways to make sure this is “Not Your Average Baseball Game”. From pitchers being delivered to the mound in a bullpen boat,
throwing out a Wild Alaskan Pollock for the ceremonial “First Fish” or their mascot Fin Crispy Jr. dancing throughout the stands.
When fans leave “The Fryer” they may not remember the score of the game but they’ll never forget what they experienced.

Lauren Hasse

Director, Ketchum Analytics

Lauren Hasse is a market research and consumer insights specialist, who’s been with Ketchum for 7 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 leads Ketchum’s analytics work across food, agriculture and ingredients, consumer food and retail industries. Lauren is a graduate of the University of Missouri with a degree in journalism and an emphasis in strategic communications.

Senator Lisa Murkowski

U.S. Senator from Alaska

Lorin Castiglione

Seafood Market Reporter and Marketing Lead, Urner Barry

Lorin has nurtured a fruitful career, marked by a passion for unearthing market trends and fostering collaboration and integration across business sectors at Urner Barry since 2017, a division now flourishing under Mintec. With a knack for distilling complex datasets into actionable insights, Lorin effectively narrates the pulse of multiple seafood markets through daily commentaries, weekly analyses, and monthly summaries. Beyond seafood market reporting, her creativity shines in marketing, where she orchestrates strategic plans and crafts engaging content.

Her work in the industry is underscored by a shared zeal for growth and sustainability, evident in her engaging co-hosting gigs at SeafoodNews.com, where she not only keeps her audience abreast of the latest industry developments but also promotes seafood consumption through innovative initiatives.

A proud alumni of the University of Connecticut with a degree in Communication and Media Studies, and a Jersey Shore native with a passion for the outdoors, Lorin brings authenticity to her roles, constantly striving for excellence and innovation.

Lou Shaheen

Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Trans-Ocean Products, Inc.

Lou is a seafood industry veteran, entering the business in 1984 as a sales representative with Jana Brands. Before Jana, he was in food service management with Marriott Hotels and food service sales with Campbell Soup Company. His career experience includes positions focused on both foodservice and retail food market segments in regions across the country and, eventually with national responsibility. From the beginning, Lou has been involved in the marketing and selling of surimi seafood. In 1996, he joined Trans-Ocean Products as VP, Sales & Marketing to help the company establish surimi seafood product lines under its own brand name. He has worked on developing new products, building customer relationships and creating marketing campaigns that have established Trans-Ocean as a leader in the retail surimi category. 

Mary Elizabeth Germaine

Chief Data & Strategy Officer, Ketchum Analytics

Mary Elizabeth leads Ketchum’s research, measurement and analytics sector, Ketchum Analytics. Since joining the agency in 2001, she has been instrumental in growing the business from a handful of team members to well over 60 in 12 cities globally today. With more than 20 years of experience as a marketing and communications researcher, Mary Elizabeth counsels clients on how to make the best use of data and analytics and derives insights to develop, measure and optimize strategic communication programs. Her work spans all stages of the communications process – from planning to testing to evaluation. She is responsible for the development of a variety of Ketchum’s proprietary tools, including those used for measurement, audience profiling, strategy and creative testing, optimization, as well as the agency’s strategic planning process among others. Her remit is to infuse data and analytics across all aspects of the Agency’s work. Her background is in the area of corporate reputation research. Work in this space includes the following clients: Takeda, Janssen, Novartis, NBCUniversal, Kohler, Hilton Worldwide, Michelin, Dow, ConAgra, White Wave Foods, Best Buy, Newmont, Genentech, Sears, Nokia, and Cox Communications. 

Mick O’Brien

Creative Director, Ketchum

Over the course of more than 30 years in the business, Mick has moved from traditional advertising to digital, and from digital to social, touching all aspects of the creative process from ideation through production and implementation. The driving motivation behind all of this has been to create immersive brand experiences that compel consumers to act.

In his capacity as creative lead, he has worked on a number of brand executions across platforms including: Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, OnStar, the Global Connected Customer experience for GM owners, Taco Bell, Harley-Davidson, Lenovo, Bank of America, eBay, T.J. Maxx, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, FIAT, Alfa Romeo, MOPAR, Chrysler Financial, Kia, AdCouncil, Estee Lauder, Dow Automotive, TGIFridays, Owens Corning, Kid Rock, Cooper Tire, Tyson Foods, Ascension Health, Exxon, GAPP, National Chicken Council, Ad Council, and the Truth campaign.

Mike Tigani

Director of Marketing at King & Prince Seafood

Mike Tigani is a dynamic marketing leader currently serving as the Director of Marketing at King & Prince Seafood, an industry-leading seafood company based in Brunswick, GA. With a robust track record of success in business-to-business marketing, Mike brings an unparalleled passion for innovation and a proven ability to drive results. Holding a unique educational background, Mike earned his MBA with a focus in Marketing from Xavier University. His academic journey also includes a BS and MS in Food Science from the University of Delaware, a testament to his ability to bridge the worlds of science and marketing. Alongside his commitments to his family and his role at King & Prince Seafood, running serves as a cornerstone of his life. With ambitious goals of running in 25 Boston Marathons and completing a marathon in all 50 states, he exemplifies a tireless pursuit of personal achievements. It must be all the Omega-3’s!

Mikel Grande

Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer, Angulas Aguinaga

Appointed Angulas Aguinaga Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer 5 years ago with the objective of driving company focus on consumer understanding and innovation pipeline development, Mikel has contributed to double the business behind brand development and new launches. Previously, Mikel worked during 13 years for P&G in different roles&categories such as Fabric Care, Oral Care, Beauty Care as well as brands like Ariel, Fairy, Oral B or Herbal Essences, in Europe and Latin America.

Molly DeMers

Executive Chef of The Climate Collective

Oggie Dodge

Advertising/Marketing/Design, Trans-Ocean Products/Dodge Associates

Oggie has worked closely with Trans-Ocean Products for the past 25 years, helping to build the Crab Classic brand as well as handling the company’s packaging design and all consumer and trade marketing communications efforts. More recently, he has been very involved in the development and execution of Trans-Ocean’s partnership programs with GAPP. He began his career in sales and marketing positions with Campbell Soup Company and has operated Dodge Associates, an advertising, design and PR firm located in Providence, RI since the mid 1990’s.

Ron Rogness

GAPP Director, Industry Relations, Partnerships & Fishery Analysis

Ron Rogness joins GAPP as Director of Industry Relations, Partnerships and Fishery Analysis. Ron Rogness previously served as an economic advisor to the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers. Prior to this role, he was Vice President of Sustainability and Corporate Relations for American Seafoods Group in Seattle, Washington. Ron also spent eleven years in seafood purchasing for Long John Silver’s Restaurants and then, after LJS was purchased by Yum! Brands, served seven years in seafood purchasing and government affairs for the Unified Foodservice Purchasing Cooperative, the exclusive supply chain manager for Yum! Brands U.S. restaurants. Ron started his career in the seafood industry in 1980 as a commercial fisherman, first in Washington State and later Alaska. After graduate work in fisheries economics at University of Alaska, he served as staff economist for the North Pacific Fishery Management Council in Anchorage Alaska. Following three years with the Council, Ron spent five years as staff economist and West Coast Government Relations Representative at the National Fisheries Institute.

Rosie Selle

VP Marketing, Climate Pledge Arena

Rosemary (Rosie) Selle is a tenured arena marketing leader with experience developing and executing strategic marketing initiatives across multi-channel platforms for large entertainment properties.

Rosie is currently the VP of Marketing at Climate Pledge Arena, serving as the senior member of the arena marketing team. Having come to the project in early 2020, she was an integral part of the Arena opening team. She and her department developed and executed the marketing and communications strategies during construction all the way through the Arena Grand Opening, which culminated in a global livestreamed concert and the inaugural game of the Seattle Kraken, a brand-new NHL Franchise.  

Rosie built and manages an internal team that executes all branding, event and attractions marketing, communications, media buying, promotions, partnership marketing, social media, creative, in-venue LED experiences, and digital media strategies.

In addition to Rosie's day (and night) job, she currently sits as the Board Chair for the Sports & Entertainment Management MBA Program at Seattle University while also serving on boards for EVMC (Event and Venue Marketing Conference), and the Seattle Kraken and Climate Pledge Arena’s non-profit arm, One Roof Foundation.

Before joining the Climate Pledge Arena team, Rosemary previously held senior arena marketing positions at Target Center in Minneapolis, MN, as well as seven years under the iconic CPA roof, at KeyArena at Seattle Center.

During her event marketing career, she has contributed on some of the biggest and most marquee events in sports and live entertainment, including large concert acts, family events, NCAA, and E-Sports Championships, as well as political and corporate events.

Rosemary has served on the opening support teams for T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as Antel Arena in Montevideo, Uruguay, where she worked with onsite teams to establish effective social and in-venue communications strategies, as well as establish a brand presence on national and international industry channels.

Rosie is married, lives in Seattle and holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Carroll College in Helena, Montana where she is also a Hall of Fame member in athletics, and a Master’s in Sports Leadership and Administration from Seattle University.

Ruthie Anderson

Senior Manager, Operations, Trident Seafoods

Ruthie Anderson brings more than 30 years of experience in the fishing industry to her position as Trident’s Senior Manager, Operations, for Anchorage and Dutch Harbor. In this role Ruthie oversees fleet and plant support operations throughout Alaska, including crew travel, freighter offloads, product packaging, and freight. 

Prior to joining Trident, Ruthie worked as HR manager at Pacific Stevedoring in Dutch Harbor. She also worked at Aleutian Spray Fisheries for 16 years, supporting the vessels in recruiting, logistics, and many other areas as an HR manager.   

Ruthie moved to Alaska at a young age and spent over a decade living in Dutch Harbor. This unique opportunity gave her an appreciation of the beauty and complexity of the fishing industry. Throughout her career she has served as a vocal advocate for this essential workforce, helping people to develop and advance their careers. Ruthie is known for her strong work ethic, sense of accountability, friendliness, and the ability to connect with diverse cultures. Outside of work you can find her pursuing her sense of adventure; recent favorites include hiking, standup paddle boarding, “trying to surf,” and taking cold plunges in the beautiful waterfalls of Dutch Harbor.

Taylor Graham

Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer, Seattle Sounders FC

Taylor Graham enters his 12th year with the organization in 2023, following nine years of professional soccer - including the final three with Sounders FC. As Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer, Graham oversees brand marketing, ticketing, corporate partnerships, premium hospitality, broadcast, operations, and data and analytics.

Graham was a seven-year MLS defender for Kansas City (2003-2004), New York (2006-2007) and Seattle (2009-2011). He was also a member of the 2005 and 2007 USL-1 Seattle Sounders championship teams and was named USL-1 Defender of the Year in 2005. A graduate of Stanford University, Graham was named Sounders FC’s Humanitarian of the Year in 2009 and has served as a board member on the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Alaska and Washington and America SCORES Seattle.

Timothy Dyasuk

Safety Specialist, American Seafoods

Tim Dyasuk an Alaska Native from Togiak in the Bristol Bay. He grew up hunting and fishing for subsistence most of his life and has commercially fished since he was about 9 years old. Tim has worked in a variety of professions, but after a month as an Intern in the Safety Department, American Seafoods had HOOKED him. He now travels to Dutch Harbor and meets new people from all over the world and works with over 1000 crew to better prepare them for Alaskan fishing. There is always something new and exciting that puts his skills to the test.

Tim started as an intern with American Seafoods Company (ASC) through his Native Corporation, Bristol Bay Native Association (BBNA). The program was intended to prepare youths in remote communities for life in more urban environments. After a 6-month intern with the ASC HR department, Alan Davis asked him to try an internship within the Safety Department. Within the 1^st two weeks he assisted:

• Cold Water Survival Training of over 790 crew in cooperation with personal from the United States Coast Guard, National Marine Fisheries, Sea Grant etc.
• Crew Orientation and Safety Training for 7 ships
• Fire Drills and the general madness that accompanies all fishing vessel departures.

 The hours were long and demanding but filled with passionate people that were excited to share their life experiences.  The teamwork and comradery were a continuous reason for him to come back every season to work with ASC until he was brought on full time as a a COVID Manager in Dutch and then as a Safety Specialist.

In his tenure with ASC, Tim has weathered the Covid-19 pandemic as an ASC Quarantine Project Manager, help implement cloud-based Audits and Safety Action Items creating safety analytics within the fleet.

Tracey Schram

Vice President of Sales and Marketing, FujiSan and Fuji Food Products.

Tracey has been in an executive sales role in the food industry for over 20 years.  Throughout her tenure, in addition to leading and mentoring a successful sales team, she works closely with R&D and product development to create and introduce new and exciting on-trend items to the category while pioneering new channels of distribution for her products.  Understanding the strength in relationships, she has direct relationship management with some of the nation’s largest retail and wholesale club accounts.