Randy Rhodes leaves Harvest Select Catfish; Former High Liner CEO Rod Hepponstall joins C.H. Guenther & Son

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].

- Former CEO and president of Portsmouth, New Hampshire U.S.A.-based High Liner Foods Rod Hepponstall has been appointed as president and CEO of food manufacturer C.H. Guenther & Son. 

 Hepponstall announced his departure from High Liner Foods in August, stating the resignation would be effective in January 2024. However, according to his LinkedIn, he began the position with C.H. Guenther & Son in November 2023. 

“I am honored to join CHG and continue the company’s strong legacy of exceptional product quality and customer service,” Hepponstall said in a release. “For more than 170 years, CHG has produced remarkable and innovative food products while building a global network of manufacturing capabilities and flexibility. Together with my new CHG colleagues, we will further strengthen the company’s longstanding customer partnerships and take this storied business to the next level.”

- Randy Rhodes has left Harvest Select Catfish & Seafood after more than 15 years, he confirmed to SeafoodSource.

Rhodes departed from his role as president of the Tuscaloosa, Alabama U.S.A.-based firm last week after a 15-year tenure. Prior to moving to Harvest Select Catfish & Seafood, he worked at Inland Seafood and Southern Pride Catfish, according to his LinkedIn profile.

"Semi retired [and] looking for my next adventure and opportunity," he wrote.

-Michael Gershenfeld has been appointed as vice president of food service sales for Handy Seafood. 

Gershenfeld joins the Salisbury, Maryland U.S.A.-headquartered seafood company with a background in sales in distribution. He most recently worked as chief operating officer at the Taustin Group, a Maryland-based hopsitality firm.

"We are excited to welcome Michael Gershenfeld to the Handy family. His wealth of experience and deep understanding of the food service industry will be instrumental in driving our food service sales to greater achievements," Handy Seafood CEO Todd Conway said in a release. "Michael’s addition to our team represents a significant step forward as we continue to provide the highest quality products and services to our customers nationwide."

-Aalborg, Denmark-based seafood processor Carsoe has announced that Johan Schwerin has been appointed as its new sales director. 

"I'm thrilled to be joining Carsoe's team and look forward to working closely together with our customers to understand and mitigate their challenges and provide them with the highest level of support and service. Together, we'll ensure that their operations continue to run smoothly and efficiently,” Schwerin said in a release. 

According to his LinkedIn profile, Schwerin began in his new position in October 2023. Previously, he worked as the managing director at DESMI DeServe. 

"We are dedicated to strengthening our after-sales business to ensure we become an even stronger partner to our customers within seafood processing. With this strategic focus, we will continue to provide comprehensive support throughout the entire lifecycle of their production facilities," Carsoe CEO Hugo Dissing said in a release. 

- Patrick Vizzone has been appointed as CFO of AI-native aquaculture startup Vertical Oceans. The startup, headquartered in Singapore, has pioneered a form of land-based shrimp aquaculture that features modular grow-out units stacked in a vertical system. 

"I am truly honored to join Vertical Oceans, which is at the forefront of AI-driven sustainable aquaculture. This is an exciting opportunity to merge my passion for finance and commitment to environmental sustainability," Vizzone said in a release. "I look forward to contributing to Vertical Oceans' mission, focusing on innovation, responsible development, and the sustainable future of aquaculture. We are also planning our expansion to the U.S. – Los Angeles, here we come.”

Previously, Vizzone was the managing director, head of agri-food, and head of impact investment at Franklin Templeton Global Private Equity. 

“I’m thrilled to welcome Patrick, a long-time friend and business associate, to our team. His extensive experience and deep commitment to agri-food sustainability make him an ideal fit for the company's mission to revolutionize aquaculture through our cutting-edge technology,” Vertical Oceans Founder and CEO John Diener said in a release. 

Photo courtesy of High Liner Foods