Former Rich Products Vice President of Seafood Procurement Ray Jones passes away

Seafood industry executive Ray Jones has passed away.

Jones, who worked for Rich Products for 29 years, retired in 2017. He joined the Buffalo, New York, U.S.A.-based company, which owns SeaPak Shrimp and Seafood Co., in 1988 and worked his way up to become its vice president of seafood procurement, regulatory affairs, and quality assurance.

Rich Products Corporation Senior Vice President of the Consumer Brands Division Jim Motos recalled Jones being at the helm for many of the company’s defining moments.  

“I am deeply saddened to hear of Ray’s passing. For 30 years, Ray led Rich’s through some of our most important milestones, advancing the success of our seafood business through his unwavering commitment to sustainability and quality. His dedication to his craft made him a trusted advisor to our team at Rich’s and the industry as a whole, and his passion for life was palpable to all who knew him. Ray loved seafood, and as a leader of this tight-knit community, he worked diligently to ensure it could be enjoyed for generations to come. As we mourn this monumental loss, my heart is with his friends and family,” Motos said.

Demand Creation Senior Vice President Jamie McKeon said Jones was known for “his collaborative spirit, steadfast commitment to innovation, and unrivaled industry expertise.”

“Playing pivotal roles in our leadership, procurement, quality assurance, and regulatory affairs teams, his tremendous contributions impacted and advanced our business in so many ways. It was a pleasure to work alongside Ray and witness the instrumental role he played in growing our seafood business and the SeaPak brand.  He will be sorely missed, and we send our deepest condolences to his family during this difficult time,” McKeon said.

When Jones retired, the National Fisheries Institute Board of Directors passed a resolution calling him a “seafood industry leader.” In a statement released on 22 June, NFI President John Connelly said Jones’ reach and impact extended to the broader seafood industry – and beyond.

“Ray was a genuine advocate for seafood and a trusted voice in meeting with members of the House, Senate, and regulatory agencies. He addressed unnecessary regulations and defended rules that work, all in an effort to ensure retail stores, and ultimately American families, had access to safe, plentiful seafood,” Connelly said.

Jones’ leadership and poise will be missed by the industry, Connelly said.

“He was truly a leader, but also a friend whose work has had an enormous impact on the broader seafood community. It wasn’t just what Ray did that made him impactful, but how he did it. His manor and integrity were hallmarks that will be deeply missed,” Connelly said.  

Photo courtesy of Ray Jones/LinkedIn