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].
– Lunenburg, Nova Scotia-based seafood manufacturer High Liner Foods announced Nina Stangeland as the incoming executive vice president of procurement and salmon strategy.
“One year ago, I opened a door without fully knowing what was on the other side,” Stangeland said on LinkedIn. “That door led me to High Liner Foods; to fantastic colleagues, continuous learning, a truly motivating opportunity to lead and position our salmon strategy, and a much broader perspective on seafood.”
Stangeland previously worked as the managing director of salmon for High Liner Foods for 1 year. Prior to that, she worked at Flyfisk AS for 18 and a half years as both a board member and the general manager. She also worked at Grieg Seafood.
– Longtime Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) employee Jan Eirik Johnsen is starting as the country director of Japan 1 July 2026, replacing Johan Kvalheim, who is returning to the headquarters in Tromsø, Norway.
“For more than a decade, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with the Japanese market as the person responsible for pelagic species at NSC,” Johnsen wrote on LinkedIn. “Japan – both as a country and as a seafood market – has consistently fascinated and inspired me, and I’m honored to pursue this next chapter promoting Norwegian seafood.”
Johnsen has held 13 positions across his almost 16 years with NSC, most recently as the business relations manager and key account manager of small pelagics in Norway for just under 3 years. He’s also held several board member positions, temporary responsibility for the Chinese market, business relations manager of global operations, business development manager of insight services and pelagic strategy, and the manager of joint marketing.
“Together with my Tokyo‑based colleague Paul Tsai, I look forward to working closely with Team Norway and the Norwegian Embassy in Tokyo to deliver on the ambitions of the Norwegian seafood industry in this important market,” Johnsen said on LinkedIn. “I will prioritize continuity and collaboration, building on the excellent relationships my predecessors have developed with the Norwegian industry and the Japanese value chain."
– The joint alliance of North American seafood companies organization known as Sea Pact announced a new vice chair of the Sea Pact Member Board, Sandra Rietkerk, from Seattle Fish Company and Lombardi Brothers Meats.
“Sandra brings deep industry experience and a strong commitment to responsible sourcing,” SeaPact said in a release. “She'll serve alongside Board Chair Nicole Condon of Oddisea SuperFrozen LLC and Finance Chair Charles Young of Euclid Fish Company on the Executive Committee, as Sea Pact works to advance sustainability, social responsibility, and responsible aquaculture across seafood supply chains.”
Rietkerk replaces former board chair Alexandra Golub from Acme Smoked Fish, who led the inaugural strategic plan process. Reitkerk has been with Seattle Fish Company and Lombardi Brothers Meats for just over 7 and a half years, and currently works as the culinary and vendor partnership manager.
– Woking, England-based frozen food company Nomad Foods announced Dior Decupper as the incoming president of Central Europe, where she joins the executive team to lead commercial operations across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Norway.
In a release, Nomad Foods said Decupper will focus on improving product execution, strengthening the company’s European market performance, and advancing Nomad Foods’ strategies across Central Europe.
“I am delighted to welcome Dior to Nomad Foods and to my Executive Team,” Nomad Foods’ Chief Executive Officer Dominic Brisby said in a release. “Dior brings a wealth of commercial expertise and regional leadership experience that will be instrumental as we continue to unlock the full potential of our Central Europe markets. The appointment further strengthens our ability to execute with pace and precision, closer to our consumers and customers, and ultimately driving sustainable growth for our business.”
Decupper is currently the general manager of Imperial Brands, overseeing DACH (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) and is the CEO of Reemtsma GmbH, where she’s been for 3 and a half years. She's also a board member of The Moon Venture for the last 8 years.
– Mesa, Arizona, U.S.A.-based full-service restaurant Angry Crab Shack recently announced that Ginni Naegle is the new director of franchise operations, where she will help with operational support during franchise growth.
"We are excited to welcome Ginni to the Angry Crab Shack family as we continue strengthening the support we provide to our franchise partners," Angry Crab Shack President Andy Diamond said in a release. "Ginni brings a deep understanding of restaurant operations, training and team development, and her hands-on approach will be an asset as we continue building systems that help our franchise partners operate successfully and grow with the brand."
Naegle has 30 years of experience in restaurant and franchise operations, dating back to the 1990s and including a 25-year career managing Applebees.
"I joined Angry Crab Shack because I saw a brand with real energy, strong leadership, and a clear opportunity to grow the right way," Naegle said in a release. "What stood out to me most was the team's commitment to its franchise partners and the culture they are building across the system.”
– Norway-based Norwegian manufacturing company Aquaservice announced Andrea Catalán-Hernández as the new national director of Aquaservice for Chile, where she will be in charge of sales and customer service, focusing on the Aquatrans fish transport valve, Aquafilter products, static mixer, and Pool Line products.
"We are very excited about this appointment,” Aquaservice CEO Asgeir Skogstad said in a release. “Aquaservice has been considering establishing a permanent presence in Chile for some time. Andrea is a perfect fit for us, given her experience, knowledge and deep understanding of the Chilean aquaculture market. We see huge potential in this market.”
Catalán-Hernández joins Aquaservice after serving as director of commercial teams for Chile at ScaleAQ.
"Aquaservice's products, experience and approach provide a very solid foundation to become a key player in the Chilean market for fish transport and water treatment equipment," Catalán-Hernández said in a release.
