Dave Mergle, the marketing director for Ocean Quality North America and Skuna Bay Salmon, is leaving his post.
Mergle took over the position in 2014 after Norway-based Grieg Seafood announced the launch of Ocean Quality North America to control sales and marketing of all of Grieg Seafood products farmed in British Columbia, Canada. He helped grow the brand profile of Skuna Bay Salmon using premium placements, including partnerships with the James Beard Foundation and the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament.
“By now many of you have heard through the rumor mill that I have decided to leave Skuna Bay Salmon and Ocean Quality North America,” Mergle wrote in a 14 May post on LinkedIn. “Yes it is true: I’ve decided it’s time for change and for me to take on new challenges.”
In an email to SeafoodSource, Mergle confirmed his departure and said Alexander Krutoy and Adam O’Brien will take over the leadership of Ocean Quality North America. According to their LinkedIn profiles, Krutoy is currently General Manager of the Conventional Products and Import Division, and O’Brien is Skuna Bay Team Lead and Key Account Manager at at Ocean Quality North America.
“Now it’s a good time to hand the business off to the next generation of leaders, people who deserve their shot,” Mergle said. “The timing is perfect with a great team in place and a business set up for the future.”
Mergle said the high point of his tenure was the move by the Monterey Bay Aquarium in October 2017 to upgrade British Columbia farm-raised salmon to “good alternative” status.
“My time as a founder and leader of Skuna Bay and the first Managing Director of Ocean Quality North America has been a great run filled with many satisfying relationships made. Lots of accomplishments,” Mergle said. “A milestone was reached last fall when finally, after many years of engagement, progress and setbacks, Skuna Bay Salmon became ranked Yellow/Good Alternative by Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch. Attaining the Yellow MBA status was an achievement to celebrate and a good time to turn the page.”
In his post, Mergle said his last day will be 25 May.
“News about my next opportunity will wait till a different time and place,” he wrote.
