Indre Kvarøy, Norway-based Kvarøy Arctic added a new vice president of finance, Freddy Olcese, and promoted Jennifer Bushman to chief marketing officer.
The company, which began selling fresh, farm-raised Atlantic salmon in the United States two years ago, is quickly broadening its retail and foodservice presence, the company said in a press release. Its products are sold at Whole Foods Market, Giant Eagle, and other retail chains.
Kvarøy will be exhibiting its Atlantic salmon fillets, salmon burgers, and salmon hot dogs at Booth #2923 at Seafood Expo North America in Boston, Massachusetts, 13 to 15 March, 2022.
“At Kvarøy Arctic, we are always in forward motion. That means evolving and continuously improving…This includes the expansion of our U.S. team to fit the growing needs of Kvarøy Arctic,” Kvarøy Arctic CEO Alf-Gøran Knutsen said. “As CEO, I grow by surrounding myself with people that will inspire and support us in reaching our goals. It is why I am so honored that Jennifer and Freddy have agreed to take these leadership positions as we look to the future.”
Freddy Olcese, who has 15 years of experience in the seafood industry, including 11 years as the CFO of RFA Inc., AquaChile’s tilapia operation in Costa Rica and Panama, will serve as a strategic partner to the CFO of Kvarøy Arctic and Kvarøy Fiskeoppdrett AS. Olcese will focus on providing key direction to the development and implementation of the short- and long-range strategic plans and direction of the U.S. operations of the company.
Jennifer Bushman, former strategic development officer at Kvarøy, is “stepping into the CMO position at an integral time in the company’s growth as it continues to widen its community programs and reach into new markets, foodservice, and event venues,” Kvarøy said.
Bushman has spearheaded programs that include the launch of Kvarøy Arctic in the U.S., Kvarøy’s annual Women in Aquaculture Scholarship, a grant program with World Central Kitchen, and Feed the Vote campaign featuring the Kvarøy Arctic salmon hot dogs.
Bushman has over 20 years of experience in the aquaculture industry, working with companies such as Pacifico Aquaculture, Blue Ocean Mariculture, and Riverence Trout.
In related news, Fast Company magazine awarded Kvarøy the second spot in the “Small and Mighty Category” in its annual World’s Most Innovative Companies award. Fast Company recognized Kvarøy Arctic for efforts that include its ongoing community outreach with a donation program that started in 2020 and “continues to contribute thousands of pounds of salmon each month to at-need communities,” the company said.
The company’s recent product innovations, including salmon hot dogs and burgers, were also considered in the awarding of the honor.
Photos courtesy of Kvarøy Arctic
