To keep up to date with the latest personnel changes across the seafood industry, SeafoodSource is compiling a regular round-up of hiring announcements and other personnel-related shifts worldwide. If you have an announcement, please send it to [email protected].
- Per Grieg Sr. (pictured), the founder of the eponymous Norwegian seafood company Grieg Seafood, died at 91. He was born in Berge, Norway, in January 1932, and later received his degree in marine engineering before joining his family in its shipbroking firm in 1961. He then expanded the Grieg Group into an international business.
He led the company until 1999 when he handed Grieg Seafood to his four children. The company now has more than 1,600 employees worldwide.
- Linda Jonsdottir has stepped down as COO of Marel – a Garðabær, Iceland-based seafood manufacturing and processing company. She had been with the company for 15 years and one month, according to her LinkedIn.
Jonsdottir leaves the company upon the recent appointment of Arni Sigurdsson as CEO. Sigurdsson was named interim CEO after former CEO Arni Oddur Thordarson abruptly resigned in November 2023.
“I want to thank Linda Jonsdottir for her valuable contribution and dedicated service during her 15-year tenure at Marel. Linda has been a key member of the [company's] executive leadership and played an important role in the growth and transformation of Marel. We at Marel wish her every success in her future endeavors and the best of luck in the next chapter of her journey,” Sigurdsson said in a release.
- Eduardo Carbajosa has been appointed as the CEO of Acme Smoked Fish. Carbajosa joined the company in 2007 as CFO and treasurer and has since held positions as executive director and president, according to his LinkedIn.
Before the appointment, David and Adam Caslow held the position as co-CEOs.
“Acme is in trusted and capable hands with Eduardo Carbajosa as CEO. We have a big year ahead as we roll out new products, grow our operations, and continue our commitment to fight climate change. Eduardo has been a member of the Acme family for 17 years, providing guidance during a time of great growth. David and I look forward to continuing to work closely with Eduardo and the entire team as Acme enters the next phase of our expansion,” Acme Smoked Fish Co-Owner Adam Caslow told SeafoodSource.
- The Global Shrimp Council – a producer-led promotional body created to market and encourage international shrimp consumption – has announced that Willem van der Pijl has been appointed as strategic engagement advisor.
Van der Pijl is also the co-founder and managing director of The Global Shrimp Forum and the owner of industry data analysis outlet Shrimp Insights.
“I will, of course, continue my work at Shrimp Insights and Global Shrimp Forum,” van der Pijl wrote on LinkedIn.
This follows a 5 December 2023 announcement in which the National Fisheries Institute agreed to work with the Global Shrimp Council to create a pre-competitive partnership designed to promote U.S. shrimp consumption. The institute did not say whether the council will operate in a similar manner or differently than other species-specific collaborations, which include councils for tuna, crab, shrimp, Mexican shrimp, sushi, and salmon.
- Kenneth Meyer has stepped down as CFO of Romsdal, Norway-based Atlantic halibut producer Nordic Halibut.
Meyer has been with the company since 2020 and stepped down to explore new career opportunities, the company said in a release.
“He will fulfill his responsibilities in the current capacity until the end of May, ensuring a smooth and efficient transition for the company. The company has initiated a process to recruit Meyer's replacement,” Nordic Halibut said.
- Melaina Lewis has stepped down as communications director at The National Fisheries Institute. Lewis worked at the organization for two years and nine months, according to her LinkedIn.
She has since been appointed as a business development manager at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.-based law practive Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC, beginning in December 2023.
- Dundee, Scotland-based aquaculture technology company Ace Aquatec announced that Ben Perry has been appointed as its head of sales.
Perry has a background in freshwater and marine finfish production. He previously worked at aquaculture biotechnology company Benchmark Holdings as its sales and technical manager.
“This is a great opportunity to combine my clinical knowledge and practical experience with a purpose-driven, innovative mission to provide intelligent, ethical aquaculture products to customers. I’m excited to build on the excellent work already being done by Ace Aquatec to bring their market-leading technology to clients across the globe, enabling our partners to achieve the highest welfare practices throughout the production cycle while optimizing growth and efficiency for future success,” Perry said.
In his new role, Perry will use his knowledge in developing aquaculture facilities and effective production methods to develop and expand Ace Aquatec’s products.
“We’re delighted to have someone of Ben’s caliber on board as we continue to scale our brand globally. With a strong background in aquaculture, he is the perfect fit for a welfare-focused and passionate brand like Ace Aquatec. As our industry enters a new era of technology transformation driven by AI, Ben's deep understanding of what drives customers' success will be invaluable in this exciting time of disruption,” Ace Aquatec Chief Sales Marketing Officer Tara McGregor-Woodhams said in a release.
Photo courtesy of the Grieg Foundation
