Whole Oceans, the Portland, Maine, U.S.A.-based company that plans to create a recirculating aquaculture system in a former paper mill in Bucksport, Maine, has hired Eric Jacobsson as their Chief Financial Officer.
Jacobsson brings 30 years of experience in finance, most recently as the senior director of finance for Pentair Water. Pentair Water, a division of Pentair, is a global leader in water solutions, particularly in the aquaculture industry.
“It is an honor to be joining Whole Oceans at this pivotal time in the emergence of land-based recirculating aquaculture systems in the United States,” Jacobsson said. “Whole Oceans has laid the groundwork to make a substantial impact in the aquaculture industry.”
Whole Oceans also recently hired a chief production officer and chief operating officer as the company begins constructing the RAS facility in Bucksport. Announced in February 2018, Whole Ocean’s CEO Robert Piasio plans to invest at least USD 250 million (EUR 215 million) in the facility in the coming years.
Jacobsson represents the fourth major hire in the past two months for the company.
“The addition of Eric, who played a key role in his 10 years with Pentair growing revenues from USD 300 million [EUR 258 million] to nearly USD 3 billion [EUR 2.6 billion], is a key strategic hire,” said Piasio. "From the very beginning we have focused on building a world class management team to execute on our goal of capturing 10 percent of the U.S. salmon market. Eric is a proven senior finance executive and representative of the caliber of talent we are able to attract in a highly competitive industry within a historically tight labor market."
Jacobsson said he is looking forward to being a part of the new project.
“The economics of Atlantic salmon globally and in the United States point to a significant need for increased production,” he said. “I am proud to play a leadership role in the growth of sustainable salmon production in Maine.”
