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].
– Jorge Atton is the new chief revenue officer of Chilean salmon-farming firm AquaChile.
Atton has previously served in executive roles at several Chilean retailers, but most recently, he served as COO and later CTO at Blumar, working to “enhance productivity and profitability within the salmon business by delivering measurable financial value," he said.
He joins AquaChile at a time when the firm has reported positive financial performance. The company saw its net profits surge nearly 300 percent year over year in the first half of 2025.
During the six-month period, AquaChile brought in net profits of USD 118 million (EUR 102 million), marking a 299 percent increase from the USD 29.6 million (EUR 25.5 million) posted in the first six months of 2024.
– The Chilean Salmon Council, a marketing organization which promotes awareness of farmed salmon from Chile, has announced the appointment of Melanie Whatmore as its new managing director after the retirement of James Griffin.
Whatmore will aim to strengthen the company's position in the U.S. market amid ongoing trade uncertainty.
“The United States represents the most dynamic and important seafood markets in the world, and we continue to be committed to take Salmon de Chile to the highest level of reputation in Americans’ minds,” Chilean Salmon Council Board Chairman Ricardo Garcia Holtz said.
Holtz thanked Griffin for his leadership and especially for stewarding the Salmon de Chile branding initiative. He also welcome Whatmore to the new role.
"We are thrilled to see where Melanie’s vision can take us in the years to come," Holtz said. "I feel confident that, under Melanie’s leadership, Salmon de Chile will remain the preferred choice for families, retailers, and foodservice partners who prioritize responsible sourcing, nutritional value, and, certainly, taste.”
In a press release about the news, the organization said that the “transition comes as Chilean salmon farmers continue to build consumer trust through rigorous quality standards, responsible aquaculture practices, and daily availability of superior fish throughout the U.S."
"Health, wellness, nutritional value, omega-3 sourcing, and sustainable production are at the forefront of consumer decision-making and of the buyers at retailers and foodservice companies,” the council said.
– According to his LinkedIn, Ron Risher is no longer the president of Grobest Seafood and is now serving as the president of West Pass Seafood.
Risher said his role at Grobest, which he held for two years, involved leading “U.S. and European operations, overseeing all sales, procurement, financial reporting, and market development of premium frozen seafood."
"I managed cross-continental teams, drove revenue growth, expanded product lines, and represented Grobest at the highest levels of the global seafood industry," he said on LinkedIn.
