Seafood Harvesters of America has found a new executive director in Leigh Habegger, the organization announced on 17 May. The role was previously held by Kevin Wheeler, who vacated the position to become Deputy Chief of Staff at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Habegger comes to the role most recently from Restore America's Estuaries, where she served as the senior manager of external affairs for the non-profit. Her work with Seafood Harvesters of America – which represents 16 leading commercial fishing organizations operating across the nation, from the Bering Sea to the Gulf of Mexico to New England – will see Habegger advocating for policies that conserve U.S. estuaries and encourage the sustainable use of natural resources in the country.
With her prior experience as a lobbyist on fisheries and maritime policy and time spent as a Knauss Fellow for Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01) covering oceans, coastal, and fisheries issues, Habegger is more than qualified to tackle her new seat, Seafood Harvesters said.
“Leigh brings strong fisheries policy experience, along with great energy and a solid understanding of our members and the issues they face,” said the organization’s president Chris Brown in a prepared statement surrounding the hire. “She’ll be an excellent addition to our team as we broaden the scope and scale of our policy work in coming years.”
