David F. Melbourne Jr. named AquaBounty president; Keith Davidson appointed Ace Aquatec’s chief technology officer

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].

- Land-based aquaculture company AquaBounty announced the promotion of David F. Melbourne Jr. as its new president on 14 August.

“I am pleased to announce that Dave Melbourne will take on the position of President of AquaBounty, as part of our leadership progression to drive continued growth and expansion," AquaBounty CEO Sylvia Wulf said in a release. "His 25 plus years of experience in the seafood industry spans both wild fisheries and aquaculture. In his new role, Dave will oversee the day-to-day business functions of the company, including current farm operations in the U.S. and Canada, R&D, quality, people management, and commercial operations.” 

Melbourne worked for over four years as AquaBounty’s chief commerical officer before his promotion to president of the Maynard, Massachusetts-based company.

”With Dave in his new role, I will focus on strategic initiatives, including investor relations, financing alternatives to complete the Ohio farm, business development including geographic and species expansion, and my responsibilities as Chair of the AquaBounty Board of Directors," Wulf said. "We remain focused on the strategic imperatives that will improve, grow, and expand our business. We have made significant progress in building a solid foundation that includes a motivated, skilled, and dedicated team; enhancing and continuing to improve our operational expertise while building our customer base; and driving advancements in breeding, genetics, fish health, and nutrition.”

- Aquaculture technology company Ace Aquatec announced that Keith Davidson (pictured) has become the company's new chief technology officer. 

Davidson brings an extensive background in managing global technology services and has worked with an assortment of startups and multinational corporations.

“There are few professional opportunities that come along where you have the chance to work across almost every engineering discipline. Ace Aquatec products span mechanical, electrical, electronic, software, and AI, and as a technologist and engineer at heart, this is an ideal opportunity to work in a field where technology is truly used for good. I plan to take this opportunity to build on the fantastic work already being done by Ace Aquatec’s world-class technology team to provide fully integrated, intelligent aquaculture products that support our customers [in operating] efficiently and humanely,” Davidson said in a release.

- On 10 August, Captain D’s, a U.S.-based casual fast-food seafood restaurant with over 500 locations, announced Jeff Wilson as its chief financial officer. Wilson has spent the last 15 years at Cracker Barrel, most recently as its vice president of finance and chief financial officer of the brand's Emerging Brands group.

"We are pleased to have Jeff join Captain D's executive team, bringing with him a wealth of finance, operations, and profitability enhancement skills in both public and private companies," Captain D’s CEO and president Phil Greifeld said in a release. "Our strong sales comps system-wide have contributed to accelerated growth with new and existing franchisees over the past several years, and we have no doubt that Jeff's extensive leadership experience will help the brand continue to reach new heights."

- San Francisco, California U.S.A.-based Newfront, a tech-driven insurance brokerage firm, announced Jessica Graves has received a promotion to lead the company's maritime team as its Pacific Northwest maritime leader. 

Graves brings more than 15 years of industry experience and joined Newfront in 2020. She brings a background of clients from fishing vessels and seafood processing companies, among other contacts.

"I couldn't be more excited to step into this role with colleagues I respect and admire, many of whom I worked with when I began my career," Graves said in a release. "I look forward to finding innovative ways to strengthen our client and carrier relationships, as well as developing employee talent development strategies to ensure the ongoing vitality of the team."

Photo courtesy of Ace Aquatec