Gilpin Bradley retires from Wester Ross Salmon; BioMar Chile names Derek Kohn managing director

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].

- BioMar announced Derek Kohn (pictured) has been appointed the managing director for BioMar Chile, part of the company's salmon division.

“We are thrilled Derek has decided to join us in our effort creating innovative solutions for the salmon farmers in Chile. We firmly believe that close collaboration between us, as feed solutions provider, and our customers will be a significant catalyst in bringing the next generation of sustainable salmon products to market,” BioMar Group Salmon Division Vice President Paddy Campbell said in a release. “I am confident that Derek will be able to further develop these vital relationships, at the same time, build a strong organization around our shared purpose and values.” 

Kohn, who has more than 20 years of leadership experience in the salmon farming industry, will begin in the role in November 2023. He previously has worked for MultiX, Mowi, and Australis Seafood. 

“I am excited to join BioMar and have the opportunity to be part of a company that is a key player in the global aquaculture value chain, with excellent products, a strong reputation and an experienced team,” Kohn said. “I look forward to working together with the team in Chile, as well as meeting colleagues from abroad and contributing to furthering our commitment to sustainable and innovative aquaculture development.

- Kingfish Maine Operations Manager Megan Sorby has left the company to found a land-based recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) project growing red drum. A location for the new project has been selected, and will be finalized within the coming weeks, according to a press release.

“Being a part of The Kingfish Company has been a fantastic opportunity, and with the successes we have had, the company has a clear path to continue with expansion in the U.S.,” Sorby said in a release. “While I continue to support the Kingfish team in the U.S., I am excited to spearhead a new development, growing a native species with a long history of being a legendary seafood product.”

Sorby has been with Kingfish Maine for four years, primarily working to advance the company's effort to open a land-based RAS farm in Jonesport, Maine.

-After announcing his retirement in February, Frank Fay has rejoined Dickie’s Seafood as CEO. 

“I've sort of come out of retirement, the shortest retirement in history,” Fay wrote on LinkedIn. “Some more good work done at Dickie's Seafood.....looks like I"m the CEO again.”

Fay had been with Dickie’s Seafood since 2019 and helped rebuild the company after its headquarters  in Richmond, Virginia, U.S.A. burned in a 2020 fire.

- Gilpin Bradley has announced his retirement after 33 years with Wester Ross Salmon. 

Bradley was the managing director of the company and also founded the Wester Ross Salmon Education Trust to involve high school students in salmon farming,  according to the Ross-shire Journal.

“I am very pleased to have been part of Scottish salmon farming – one of the greatest private sector economic success stories in the Highlands and Islands in the last 50 years, Bradley said. “Wester Ross has survived many challenging cycles by having a strong commitment from my dedicated team, some of whom are now third generation. Our focus on all natural artisan farming practices has created an enviable brand, and our unique approach is greatly appreciated by our long-standing loyal customers.”

- Fair Trade USA has hired Sugumar Raman as its chief program officer. Sugumar will work to design, innovate, and implement Fair Trade USA’s programs. 

“We are extremely lucky to have Sugumar join our team,” Fair Trade USA Founder and CEO Paul Rice said in a release. “His years of leadership experience on the front lines of the global sustainable sourcing movement will be a tremendous asset to our organization as we continue to reimagine how to best deliver the deepest and broadest impact to the farmers and planet we serve.”

-Benchmark Genetics Chile has appointed Berta Contreras as general manager. Contreras replaces Pablo Mazo, who has assumed the role of performance and documentation manager for Benchmarks Genetics in Norway.

“We extend our best wishes for success to Berta and all our collaborators in Chile as they embark on this new phase. Her extensive experience and profound understanding of the salmon farming sector will undoubtedly contribute to the continued expansion of our operations in the country, always with a focus on performance, biosecurity, and the delivery of high-quality services,” Benchmark Genetics Head of Salmon Health and Genetics Geir Olav Melingen said in a release. 

Photo courtesy of BioMar