NFI Future Leaders CLass oF 2022 - National Fisheries Institute
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NFI Future Leaders Class of 2022
Nathanael Abens
Sales Assistant Manager, Fortune Fish International, Missouri
Division
Nathan Abens started with Fortune in 2020 when
they expanded their reach in Kansas City. He has
been in seafood sales since 2019.
Nathan studied at the University of Missouri
Kansas City. He spends his off time with his wife,
three-year-old daughter, and golden retriever.
He loves spending time with his family, loves
traveling, trying new things, and of course
baseball.
How hard you working today tomorrow will give
you back
– David Tran, Huy Fong Foods
Future Leaders Class of 2022
Nicole Alba
International Marketing Specialist, Alaska Seafood
Marketing Institute (ASMI)
Nicole Alba has been with ASMI since 2012,
where she has worked in various programs
including ASMI’s in-State Communications and
International programs.
Nicole is a graduate of the University of Alaska
Southeast with a Bachelor of Business
Administration in Management. She’s a fifth-
generation Alaskan and lives in Juneau, Alaska
with her husband and rescue dog.
"Pearls don’t lie on the seashore. If you want one,
you must dive for it."
- Chinese proverb
Future Leaders Class of 2022
Dennis Bryant
Director of Sales, AquaBounty
Dennis is the Director of Sales for AquaBounty, a
land-based Salmon farming company. Prior to
AquaBounty Dennis served as Managing Director
for Ocean Quality, USA and Director of Program
Sales at Buckhead Meat and Seafood of
Houston.
Dennis is a veteran of the US Army where he
spent 4yrs as an Aviation Operations Specialist.
He, his wife Lisa and Bulldog Greta live in
Wilmington, NC and enjoy traveling, live music
and The Dallas Cowboys.
Lead me, follow me, or get the hell out of my
way. – George S. Patton Jr.
Future Leaders Class of 2022
Gabrielle Capp
Processing and Logistics Manager, Blue Ocean Mariculture
Gabrielle has been with Blue Ocean Mariculture
since 2019.
Gabrielle received her bachelor's degree from
Florida Atlantic University. She was born and
raised in Southeast Florida and has lived in Hawaii
for the past four years. Gabrielle enjoys surfing,
hiking and cooking.
Integrity is choosing courage over comfort; it’s
choosing what’s right over what’s fun, fast or
easy; and it’s practicing your values, not just
professing them. – Brene Brown
Future Leaders Class of 2022
Dillon Cecchi
Buyer - Seafood Procurement, Gorton’s
Dillon Cecchi has been with Gorton’s since 2017.
He worked as a Deployment Planner and a
Production Planner prior to joining the Seafood
Procurement group in 2019.
Dillon received his bachelor's degree from
Northeastern University, where he studied supply
chain management. He enjoys travel, Boston
sports, and spending time with family & friends.
“If you think you are too small to make a
difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.”
– Dalai Lama
Future Leaders Class of 2022
Nicole Condon
Senior Commercial Manager, Marine Stewardship Council
Nicole has been with the MSC for about 3.5 years. Prior to that,
she was with the World Wildlife Fund leading the US Global
Seafood Markets program - forming global multi-stakeholder
seafood programs in key markets and working with multinational
companies to build and track seafood sustainability sourcing
commitments. Nicole has also conducted fisheries and deep-sea
ecological research across the US.
Nicole received a B.S. in Marine Biology from the University of
New England, a M.S. in Oceanography from the University of
Hawaii at Manoa, and a M.S. in Sustainability Management from
American University’s Kogod School of Business. She enjoys
reading, getting out into nature, and traveling.
“If you can’t explain your work in one sentence, then you don’t
understand what you’re doing.”
– My thesis advisor
Future Leaders Class of 2022
Kate Danaher
Managing Director, S2G Ventures
Kate Danaher joined S2G Ventures in 2020 to start
the $100m Oceans & Seafood fund with Larsen
Mettler. Kate has worked in impact investing
since 2012 with a focus on sustainable food &
agriculture. Before joining S2G, Kate was the
Chief Lending Officer at RSF Social Finance.
Kate lives outside of San Francisco with her
husband Julian and 1 year old Wilder. Kate loves
traveling internationally, skiing, and working with
people passionate about their work.
To cherish what remains of the Earth and to foster
its renewal is our only legitimate hope of survival
– Wendell Berry
Future Leaders Class of 2022
Andrew DeBardelaben
Senior Account Manager, Harbor Seafood
Andrew started working with Harbor Seafood
after graduating from SUNY Cortland in 2010.
Andrew currently lives on Long Island, New York
with his wife, Lauren, and two daughters, Addison
and Lyla. Andrew enjoys outdoor activities like
skiing, surfing, and boating.
“A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what
ships are built for.”
- John G. Shedd
Future Leaders Class of 2020
David Dietz
Program Integrity Specialist, Global Seafood Alliance
David joined GSA in August 2021 after serving as the Socio-
Economist of the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries.
At GSA, David manages the implementation and
development of the Best Seafood Practices Program,
primarily focused on the Responsible Fishing Vessel
Standard.
David graduated from Bowdoin College and holds a
Masters of Environmental Management from Duke
University. He grew up in Maine and is glad to be back in
New England now with his wife Maggie and dog Gus.
“Food may not be the answer to world peace, but it’s a
start.”
― Anthony Bourdain
Future Leaders Class of 2022Austin Dixon
National Sales, CenSea, Inc.
Austin Dixon has been with CenSea since 2016
selling to a diverse range of customers including
foodservice distributors, retailers, wholesalers and
restaurant chains.
Austin received his bachelor’s degree in
Agribusiness Management from the University of
Missouri (Columbia).
He and his wife Karli are settled in the western
suburbs of Chicago, IL. Austin enjoys being active
outdoors and spending time with friends, family
and dog Beaux.
You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
-Wayne Gretzky
Future Leaders Class of 2022Bryan Frank
Strategic Category Leader Seafood, Rich Products
Bryan Frank has been with Rich’s for 1.5 years.
Prior to joining Rich’s, he worked for Morey’s
Seafood for 12 years in sales and procurement.
Bryan received his bachelor's degree from
Arizona State University. He and his wife have two
children and another on the way. When Bryan is
not working, he likes to play hockey, golf, hang
out with the family, and be on the lake. Bryan is
also a volunteer firefighter for his local community
You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take
- Wayne Gretzky/ Michael Scott
Future Leaders Class of 2022Alex Greenwood
Account Manager, The Fishin’ Company
Alex Greenwood has been with Fishin’ Co. for
just under 4 months. He has more than 11 years
of experience in the Seafood Industry, working
as a broker at Daymon Worldwide and in retail
as a Seafood Dept. Manager at Kroger.
Alex received his bachelor’s degree from
Northwood University. He lives in Grand Rapids,
MI with his fiancée, Kelsey, and their 2 dogs. In
his free time, Alex enjoys spending time with
family and friends. He also likes staying active,
playing golf, basketball, and kickball.
“Attack each day with an enthusiasm unknown
to mankind”. – Jim Harbaugh
Future Leaders Class of 2022Sara Hillegonds
FSQA Manager, Fortune Fish & Gourmet
Sara Hillegonds started with Fortune in 2013 after
teaching high school English. She started at
Fortune in the accounting department and
made her way into food safety roughly 4 years
ago.
In 2006, Sara graduated from Eureka College with
an English degree. Outside of work, she spends a
lot of time with her husband, 3-year-old daughter,
and dog. She teaches horseback riding lessons,
loves to watch her daughter ride, and plays a
variety of games with family and friends.
I am a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar.
– Wash
Future Leaders Class of 2022Matthew Hodges
Operations Specialist, Aqua Star
Matthew Hodges has been with Aqua Star since May
2021. Prior to Aqua Star, he was a Pediatric Registered
Nurse for 7+ years.
Matthew received his first baccalaureate degree from
the University of Iowa and subsequently earned his
BSN degree at Creighton University. He and his wife,
Erica, have one daughter, Charlie Brit, and enjoy living
in the Pacific Northwest!
To know oneself is, above all, to know what one lacks.
It is to measure oneself against Truth, and not the
other way around. The first product of self-knowledge
is humility.
– Flannery O’Connor
Future Leaders Class of 2022Kyle Horgan
Domestic Sales Manager, DaYang Seafoods
Kyle Horgan has been with DaYang Seafoods for
almost two years, but he’s been in the West
Coast Seafood Industry since the age of 15.
During that time, he’s learned multiple aspects of
the industry.
Kyle enjoys all things basketball, from playing,
going to games, and training others. He and his
fiancé, Jessica, are also busy planning their
upcoming wedding this September.
“Everything negative – pressure, challenges – is all
an opportunity for me to rise.”
– Kobe Bryant
Future Leaders Class of 2022Ross Hutchens
Assistant General Manager of Distribution – Raw Seafoods
Ross has been working for Raw Seafoods since
2012 and has worked in areas such as Quality
Control, Inventory Management, Finance,
Accounting, Purchasing and Sales.
Ross received his bachelor's degree in Finance
and Economics from Plymouth State University in
New Hampshire.
Don’t cry because its over, smile because it
happened
– Dr. Seuss
Future Leaders Class of 2022Christa Ingalls
National Sales Manager, Pacifico Aquaculture
Christa has been with Pacifico Aquauculture since
2020. Christa began her journey in the seafood
industry in 1990 with Pacific Seafood in Seattle, WA.
During her 32 years in the industry, she has worn many
hats such as; VP of Sales for Cannon Fish, Director,
Global Seafood Program with Phillips Foods, Seafood
Commodity Manager for Avendra and at one point
owned her own consulting company, Fishmongergal.
Christa enjoys spending time with her fiancé and their
many critters, building their dream home, traveling,
getting creative with her culinary skills, and painting.
”Without passion, you don’t have energy.
Without energy, you have nothing.” – Warren Buffet
Future Leaders Class of 2022Jenni Justiz-Quiñones
Director, Research & Development, King & Prince Seafood
Jenni Justiz-Quiñones has been with King & Prince
Seafood since 2021. Prior to joining King & Prince,
she was with SC Johnson and Kraft Foods.
Jenni received her Bachelor of Science in
Chemical Engineering from University of Florida
and Master of Engineering Management from
Northwestern University. She and her husband
Jose have two children, Layla & Nora. Jenni
enjoys baking, crafting, and spending time with
her family.
The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity.
The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.
– Winston Churchill
Future Leaders Class of 2022Soto Karoubas
Sales Manager, Lineage Logistics
Soto Karoubas has been with Lineage Logistics,
via Preferred Freezer, since 2015. Prior to joining
Lineage, he worked as a Senior Sales
representative for CH Robinson.
Soto received his bachelor's degree from the
University of Illinois. He and his wife live in Chicago
and have a newborn baby girl. In his free time
Soto likes to travel and spend time with family
and friends.
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know
nothing
– Socrates
Future Leaders Class of 2022Mark LaMonaco
Category Merchant, Seafood, Wegmans Food Markets
Mark LaMonaco has been with Wegmans since
1996. After spending 20 years in the stores – 10 in
Seafood – he’s spent time in Pricing, Private
Label Product Management and now as a
Category Merchant.
Mark has a bachelors degree in Business
Administration from SUNY Brockport. Mark and his
wife Erin have two children, Olivia (7) and Carter
(4). In his spare time, Mark enjoys watching
sports, attending concerts and spending time
with his family.
“The two most important days in your life are the
day you are born and the day you find out why.”
– Mark Twain
Future Leaders Class of 2022Stefan Mraz
Certification Specialist, Global Seafood Alliance
Stefan Mraz has been with Global Seafood
Alliance since September 2021. Before joining
GSA, Stefan worked on a local oyster farm in New
Hampshire’s Great Bay.
Stefan received his bachelor’s degree from
Northeastern University in Boston, MA. He spends
his free time volunteering at the New England
Aquarium and playing various instruments.
“Don’t let your silly dreams fall in between the
crack of the bed and the wall”
– Jim James, Bermuda Highway, My Morning
Jacket
Future Leaders Class of 2022Frank McGuigan
Account Executive, Foodservice & Wholesale, Chicken of the Sea
Frozen Foods
Frank McGuigan started working with Chicken of
the Sea Frozen Foods in 2021 and has been in the
seafood industry for 7 years.
Frank has a wide background of experience with
warehouse operations, supply chain and sales.
He will be marrying his Fiancée Nicole in
December 2022. Frank enjoys outdoor activities
and spending time with friends and family.
The Five P’s “Proper Preparation Prevents Poor
Performance”
– James Baker
Future Leaders Class of 2022Kyle McNicholas
National Accounts, Culimer USA
Kyle McNicholas has been with Culimer USA since
2018. He was a speaker on the inaugural NFI Sushi
Panel, and is an advocate for All Natural,
Sustainable, Ethical Sushi Programs.
Kyle received his Bachelor's degree from Fairleigh
Dickinson University where he was a member of
the football team. Kyle enjoys food tourism, being
active, playing sports, and learning.
“There are no traffic jams on the extra mile”
Future Leaders Class of 2022Brad Meath
National Sales Manager, Hofseth North America
Brad Meath has been with Hofseth North America since
July 2019 as a National Sales Manager. Prior to working
with Hofseth, he was a Business Development Executive
at Midwest Foods in Chicago, IL.
Brad received his Associates degree in 2012 and
immediately joined the sales workforce. He is avid sports
guy who enjoys an “occasional” round of golf and
outdoor activities with family and friends. He and his
fiancé Karolina are expecting their first child in July 2022.
Brad’s favorite thing about the seafood industry is the
endless pursuit of knowledge and that it’s an industry
with endless opportunities to forge relationships across
the globe.
“Effort is measured by setting goals and getting results.”
- Mark Cuban
Future Leaders Class of 2022Ryan Nash
Director, Financial Planning & Analysis, Slade Gorton
Ryan Nash has been with Slade Gorton since
2016. Prior to joining Slade Gorton, he was with
the Unitarian Universalist Association.
Ryan received his bachelor's degree from Salem
State University. He and his wife Leslie have a 2yr
old son. Ryan enjoys golfing and playing with his
son.
It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has
data.
– Sherlock Holmes
Future Leaders Class of 2022Nils Rabe
CEO, Baader North America
Nils Rabe joined the BAADER family in 2019. In early
2021 he got assigned CEO for the North American
and Canadian fish division.
With a diploma degree in economics engineering,
he gained vast international sales & service
experience in different industries for 15+ years.
Nils grew up in northern Germany but moved to
Washington state last year. 2 of his 3 daughters
came along to the US as well as his wife and their
black lab. He loves spending time in nature, cooking,
and hiking.
“Identify your problems but give your power and
energy to solutions.” – Tony Robbins
Future Leaders Class of 2022Jacob Reznick
Associate, S2G Ventures Oceans and Seafood
Jake works to identify and support entrepreneurs
developing scalable solutions to the challenges that
threaten the health of our oceans and ultimately people
and our planet. Prior to S2G, he was an innovation and
strategy consultant and worked as a M&A banker
covering Sustainable Global Infrastructure and Energy.
Jake received his BA from Carleton College and his
MBA/MEM from Yale University. In his free time, he enjoys
golfing, hockey, brewing beer, and spending time with
family and friends.
“Nothing is as flexible as water, yet for cutting the
hardest stones, nothing is as effective. Many know this,
few put it into practice” – LaoZi
Future Leaders Class of 2022Dakota Rieke
Assistant Corporate Controller, Trident Seafoods Corp.
Dakota has been with Trident Seafoods since 2019.
Prior to joining Trident, Dakota practiced public
accounting, specializing in internal controls and
financial statement audit in the food and
beverage niche.
Dakota is a CPA and received her masters degree
in professional accounting from Central
Washington University. She lives in Seattle, WA and
spends her free time hiking, practicing yoga and
boating Puget Sound.
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live
the life you’ve imagined.
– Henry David Thoreau
Future Leaders Class of 2022Kate Shagoury
Digital Product Manager, SeafoodSource
Kate Shagoury has been the Digital Product
Manager of SeafoodSource at Diversified
Communications since 2021. She also manages
Integrative Practitioner and the Natural Medicine
Journal. She was previously the editor of Integrative
Practitioner since 2016.
Kate received her bachelor’s degree from Emerson
College. She and her husband, Joseph, recently
bought an 1890s farmhouse in Bath, Maine, that
they are currently renovating. Kate is a personal
trainer and teaches barre in her spare time, and
enjoys running, hiking, and cooking.
Failure is not the outcome; failure is not trying.
– Sara Blakely
Future Leaders Class of 2022Edward Smith
Director of National Accounts, Broadline – Blue Sea Products
Edward Smith has been with Blue Sea for 1 year. Prior
to joining BSP, he worked many summers as a
commercial scallop fisherman, and spent roughly 4
years at Chicken of the Sea.
Edward received his bachelor's degree from
Providence College. He now lives in Boston with his
wife and enjoys traveling, golfing, and summers in
Cape Cod.
To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the
gift.
– Steve Prefontaine
Future Leaders Class of 2022Marc Soranno
Sales Manager, Eastern Fish Company
Marc Soranno has been with Eastern Fish Company
for the past 5 years. Prior to Eastern Fish Company I
spent over ten years with A&P supermarkets
advancing to Senior Category manager of
Seafood.
Marc holds a degree in Marine and Fisheries
Technology. He and is wife Kimberly have one child
and enjoys spending time with them.
”Many of life’s failures are people who did not
realize how close they were to success when they
gave up.”
– Thomas Edison
Future Leaders Class of 2022Jacob Tupper
Sales Representative and Sustainability Specialist, Acme
Smoked Fish
From the high seas of Alaska to fish packing floors
in NYC, Jacob Tupper has worked in a variety of
seafood positions over the past ten years. He
started at Acme Smoked Fish in 2018 and
currently works in sales and sustainability.
Jacob grew up in Seattle and attended Tulane
University in New Orleans before moving to
Brooklyn, NY in 2014. He enjoys snowboarding,
biking, fishing, surfing and generally being
outside.
If you must smoke, smoke salmon.
– Ray Troll
Future Leaders Class of 2022Lauren Tupper
Sales, Southstream Seafoods, INC
Lauren Tupper was a sales manager in automotive
and entrepreneur with a love of seafood who came
to the fish industry last year. She is the newest
member in sales at Southstream, working with a
tenured team, each having over 25 years
experience.
Lauren started a seasoning business, is an artist, avid
angler, and mom of three in Charleston, South
Carolina. In her spare time, she is usually on the
water or creating something.
“People who cannot invent and reinvent themselves
must be content with borrowed postures,
secondhand ideas, and fitting in instead of standing
out.” – Warren Bennis
Future Leaders Class of 2022Yutaka Watanabe
CEO, Eastern Fish Company
Yutaka Watanabe has been with Eastern Fish
Company since 2018. Prior to joining Eastern Fish, he
worked for Marubeni ( Japanese Trading House
company).
Yutaka received his Finance bachelor's degree
from Doshisya University at Kyoto Japan. He and his
wife Eriko have one child. Yutaka enjoys spending
time with his family.
Paths are made by walking
– Franz Kafka
Future Leaders Class of 2022Jackie Wojcik
Northeast Regional Sales Manager, Clearwater Seafoods
Jackie Wojcik has been with Clearwater for 10
years in various customer service and sales
focused roles. Prior to joining Clearwater, she
worked for Enterprise in management.
Jackie received her bachelor's degree from
SUNY-Oswego. She and her husband John have
two college aged daughters. Jackie’s favorite
things are the Red Sox, Fan Duel, the Nittany
Lions, and any live sports event.
"Don't give up. Don't ever give up."
- Jim Valvano
Future Leaders Class of 2022Suzanne Wolke
Associate Marketing Manager,
Morey’s Fine Fish & Seafood, Rich Products Corp.
Suzanne Wolke has been with Rich’s since January of 2020
and has worked on both the SeaPak and Morey’s brands.
Prior to joining Rich’s, she was with the Danone North
America and Boulder Brands.
Suzanne received her MA from the University of Denver
and her bachelors from LSU. She and her husband Robert
have two children (2 and 9 months). Suzanne enjoys
(when she can find some spare time) running, sailing,
hanging out on the beach, snowboarding, camping, and
spending time with friends and family.
You never really learn much from hearing yourself speak.
– George Clooney
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