Fourth-generation family fisher and Alaska seafood industry advocate Julianne Curry has joined Icicle Seafoods as its public affairs manager, the company announced on June 20.
Curry will be based out of Petersburg, Alaska, focusing on regulatory and policy matters for Icicle as well as government and community relations. She will work collaboratively with her Alaska seafood colleagues on strategic planning efforts that will positively impact the sector, Icicle said in a news release.
“Julianne was born and raised in Petersburg, Alaska, where Icicle also has deep roots,” said John Woodruff, Chief Operating Officer at Icicle Seafoods. “As a long-term resident of the area and a third generation Icicle fisherman, she is in tune with the state’s fishing sector and with Icicle Seafoods and its impressive history in the region. We are confident that Julianne will do a tremendous job and will quickly help advance the company.”
Curry’s career has seen her serve as the executive director and lobbyist for the United Fishermen of Alaska and as the executive director of the Petersburg Vessel Owners Association. She comes to Icicle after recently consulting on a variety of fisheries related issues at both the state and federal level.
Currently, Curry is the Chair of the Communications Committee at the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) and is a member of its Salmon Committee. She has worked in several similar capacities for various organizations, including the North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s Advisory Panel as a member; the United Fishermen of Alaska (UFA) as a board member; and the National Seafood Marketing Coalition (NSMC) as a board member, while also participating on the Halibut Coalition Steering Committee. Curry is a regular attendee at numerous management and regulatory meetings such as the Board of Fisheries, International Pacific Halibut Commission, and the State Legislature.
Icicle Seafoods, which was originally formed by a group of fishermen in 1965, was acquired by Cooke Seafood USA, Inc., in 2016. Since Cooke acquired Icicle, the Seattle-based company has added employees, grown sales, and made new investments in processing facilities – all of which positively contribute to supporting Alaska communities via the ‘buy local’ policy, Icicle said.
