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].
– Gunnar Aasbø-Skinderhaug, the CFO and deupty CEO of Homestead, Florida, U.S.A.-based land-based salmon-farming company Atlantic Sapphire, will be stepping down from both roles on 31 December, according to a release by the company.
"After 2.5 years [at] Atlantic Sapphire, we achieved great operational progress for the company, and personally, I have had a rewarding time with the company here in Miami," Aasbø-Skinderhaug said. "I would like to thank all colleagues and the board for good cooperation during my tenure [at] Atlantic Sapphire. Now, it’s time for me to move back to Norway, and I will take on a new position in the conventional salmon-farming industry."
Aasbø-Skinderhaug has worked at Atlantic Sapphire since June 2024.
Before Atlantic Sapphire, he spent just over a year at Cermaq Norway Salmon as the firm's director and also worked as the global head of finance for Cermaq Global. He's held several CFO roles, such as at AquaCon, Cermaq Norway, Norsk Titanium, Norway Seafoods, and Aker Seafoods.
"Gunnar has been an important member of the executive team in Atlantic Sapphire and has, with his deep understanding of the industry, contributed significantly to the development of the company," Atlantic Sapphire Chairman of the Board Kenneth J. Andersen said. "On behalf of the board of directors, we want to thank Gunnar for his significant contribution to the company over the past years. We are sorry to see him leave but understand his priorities and wish him all the best in the future."
The move comes after Atlantic Sapphire sold a majority stake of the company to Coral HoldCo, also known as Coral Holding.
Atlantic Sapphire first announced its plans to go private and de-list from the Oslo Børs in May, using the sale as a means of raising additional financing it will need for the next 12 months. Since that point, the company has sold 62.2 percent of the company, or 22,301,236 shares, to Coral Holding.
– Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.-based seafood restaurant chain Pacific Catch has hired Sam Hallak as its new CEO, replacing Co-Founder Keith Cox who will remain on the brand's board of directors.
"Pacific Catch has built a special brand that people genuinely love with real runway ahead of it," Hallak said in a company release. "My focus is on the fundamentals: exceptional hospitality in every restaurant, tighter operational execution, and making sure the menu keeps evolving with our guests. I'm excited to work alongside the team to help build on Pacific Catch's 23-year legacy and bring this brand to even more guests across the West Coast."
As CEO, Hallak will work on enhancing hospitality efforts and guest experience, strengthen operations systems, and build leadership roles for upcoming growth, the company said.
His prior experience includes time spent as COO of Innovative Dining Group, overseeing 15 restaurant portfolios such as Sushi Roku, BOA Steakhouse, Katana, Pacific Grill, and Creekside Terrace. He also held multiple leadership roles at The Kitchen Restaurant Group and served as an area director at Tavistock Restaurant Collection and The Palm Restaurant Group.
"I could not be more pleased to have Sam leading Pacific Catch into its next stage of growth," Pacific Catch Director Mike Hislop said. "His experience across a number of highly regarded brands, combined with his leadership capabilities, will be invaluable as we continue to build on the company's strong foundation and pursue the opportunities ahead."
