Paul Jewer appointed High Liner's interim CEO; Tru Shrimp, AquaMaof exchange CEOs

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].

- Paul Jewer (pictured) has been appointed as the interim CEO of High Liner Foods following the resignation of Rod Hepponstall.

Jewer will take over leadership of the the Lunenburg, Nova Scotia Canada-based frozen seafood company effective 2 January, 2024. 

"I am humbled and honored to serve as the interim chief executive officer of this incredible organization," Jewer said in a release. "I look forward, in this interim period, to working with our great leadership group to build upon the solid foundation and momentum we have in place."

For the past 14 years, Jewer has been the CFO of High Liner Foods and will stay in the role while the board conducts its search for a permanent CEO. 

"Paul's extensive experience and proven track record of leadership with High Liner Foods will provide stability and continuity for the organization as we continue to work through the transition process,” High Liner Chair Robert Pace said. "The board of cirectors determined that it was in the best interests of the company to put in place interim executive management that can serve as long as needed, and we are fully confident in Paul's ability to lead the organization during this important chapter in the company's history."

- Tru Shrimp announced on 21 September that Brian Knochenmus has replaced Michael Ziebell as the President and CEO. Knochenmus has been a member of the Tru Shrimp board since 2017. 

"I am thrilled to step into this role and bring to completion our dream of building a fully integrated chitosan and shrimp business," Knochenmus said in a release. "Opportunities like this come along once in a lifetime. What we are building is new to the world, and perfectly aligns with demands for breakthrough medical technologies and a high-quality, responsible food supply. As we approach the final phase of commercializing this amazing technology, the work has only intensified. I've felt for some time the need to add resources and begin to divide the work."

Knochenmus brings 25 years of experience to the role, previously having worked at Ralco Nutrition in various positions, including as its president. 

"Over the years, I've greatly appreciated Brian's leadership as board chairman. We share a common vision for this company and a passion for creating products that are sustainably produced and fill voids in the markets in which we operate," Ziebell said. "This is a key moment for our company. With Brian stepping into the role of president and CEO, and the continuity I can provide in my new position, I have never been so confident in our future."

Tru Shrimp has prioritized chitosan production as part of a trifold strategy for succeeding with its land-based shrimp farming operations in the U.S. Midwest.

- Recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) system technology company AquaMof Aquaculture Technologies has appointed Eli Amar as its new CEO.  Amar will replace CEO David Hazut, who will become the chair of the company's board of directors, the company said in a release. 

“This is an exciting moment for AquaMaof, and I’m sure that under Eli’s leadership, the company will break through to new records and achievements," Hazmut said. "As one of the company’s founders and the new chairman of the board, I have full confidence in Eli, and together with the great management and employees of AquaMaof, the company will reach remarkable achievements."

Amar has served as the company's vice president of strategy and finance for the last four years, and has 16 years of experience in corporate development and mergers and acquisitions. 

"As David hands the baton to me, I look forward to leveraging AquaMaof’s core competencies and competitive advantage to further drive the company’s development, and execute a new long-term strategy that will establish its leadership position in reshaping the aquaculture industry," Amar said. 

- On 4 September, the Peterhead (U.K.) Port Authority, on of Europe's largest fishing ports, announced the resignation of its chief executive, Simon George Brebner. In his place, Stephen Paterson will be stepping into the role on an interim basis.

“I would like to place on record my sense of pride in what we have accomplished over the last five years. I believe the port is well positioned to attract new business, sustain the stakeholder base while continuing to maintain the many highly regarded national standards of accreditation gained during my time,” Brebner said in a release. 

Brebner had been at Peterhead Port Authortiy since 2018, and prior worked as the chief commercial officer at Abu Dhabi Terminals and APM Terminals Bahrain. 

Paterson has been working with Peterhead Port Authority for more than 30 years, and as CFO since 2006, according to his Linkedin. He began as acting CEO in August 2023. 

- After more than two years with Slade Gordon & Co., Catherine Guetarni has been appointed vice president of operations for Weston, Florida U.S.A-based Supreme Crab and Seafood. According to her LinkedIn profile, Guetarni began the role in September 2023. 

Before working as vice president of supply chain at Slade Gordon and Co., Guetarni worked for North Star Seafood for more than two as director of purchasing and then director of cruise and export program sales. 

- Robert Johnson has been appointed as the senior corporate engagement advisor for fisheries and aquaculture at The Nature Conservancy. 

“In this new role I look forward to continuing to make a meaningful impact in the world of seafood sustainability by developing and elevating collaborative partnerships with shared value for the seafood industry and ocean conservation,” Johnson wrote on his LinkedIn. “Much appreciation goes out to all my colleagues and partners who have supported my professional growth, and I'm thrilled to be part of such an innovative and dynamic corporate engagement team supporting TNC's large-scale fisheries and global aquaculture work.”

Prior to joining The Nature Conservancy, Johnson spent five years at Sea Pact, and founded Blue Bridge Consulting Inc. 

“We’re thrilled to welcome Rob to The Nature Conservancy (TNC) as our first Senior Corporate Engagement Advisor for Fisheries & Aquaculture,” said The Nature Conservancy Director of Corporate Engagement for Food and Water Michael Wironen said. “Working directly with market actors will advance better management practices, helping to ensure healthy marine and freshwater ecosystems and thriving communities. Rob’s background and expertise will be instrumental in this work and advancing progress toward TNC’s 2030 goals.”

- Rika Nakazawa has been named to the board of directors of Venus Shell Systems. 

The Bomaderry, Australia-based company has been a pioneer in the seaweed and aquaculture sector since 2015, and research development in 1998. The company's mission is to “elevate green seaweed as a viable and sustainable crop solution."

“A woman-led climate impact enterprise, VSS is innovating a breakthrough seaweed ingredient that replenishes nutrition into what we put in, and on, our bodies every day - for humans and animals (yes your pets too!) - while transforming the climate-impacting parts of the food industrial complex,” Nakazawa said in a LinkedIn release. 

- Maryke Musson has been appointed COO of Matorka, an Arctic char company headquartered in Grindavik, Iceland. 

“I’m beyond excited about Arctic char and Iceland and the future with Matorka,” Musson commented on her LinkedIn profile.

Musson has worked as a marine scientist, aquaculture specialist, conservation biologist, physiologist, ichthyologist, commercial diver, and carbon analyst, according to the company’s LinkedIn release. 

- Lineage Logistics debuted the first edition of its global hiring day, which took place on 20 September. 

The company said the global event was an opportunity for job-seekers to learn more about careers in the cold chain sector.

"Our global hiring day event is an opportunity to join a world-class team at Lineage and make a real impact as we shepherd one of our most precious resources – food – on its journey from farm to fork,” Lineage Vice President of Talent Acquisition Kelly Burlage said in a release. “Our purpose is to transform the food supply chain to eliminate waste and help feed the world, and delivering on this mission begins with our people.”

The event offered on-site interviews conducted at approximately 50 locations in the U.S., two Canadian facilities, and one in the U.K.

Photo courtesy of Paul Jewer/LinkedIn