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].
– Bergen, Norway-based aquaculture software developer Manolin named Agustín Piña as the new country lead for Chile; the company's first Chile-based employee.
According to a release by the company, Piña will lead Manolin's commercial and partnership with Chilean salmon farmers and work with producers, suppliers, and researchers to expand Watershed and Harpoon regionally.
Manolin said Piña's career experience as a veterinarian includes a background in aquaculture genetics and biotech product management helping develop genetic improvement programs for Chilean salmon and trout producers. He's also published articles on aquaculture data topics in the Chilean aquaculture sector.
"I've said for years that the biggest gap in this industry isn't how much data we have, it's how far that data sits from the fish health manager," Piña said. "Data continues to build, but pulling clear insight out of fragmented systems is still a struggle when it comes to answering questions in real time. Closing that distance is the part of the job I care about most, and that's the work I'm excited to keep doing in Chile with Manolin."
As the world's second-largest salmon producer, Chile's aquaculture industry depends on farmers seeing data trends, production records, treatment history, and environmental data, Manolin said in the release, which does not always occur.
“We’re excited at the opportunity to expand the work that we do around the world to support more customers as they become more data-driven in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.” Manolin CEO Tony Chen. “As a veterinarian, Agustín has a unique blend of biological and advanced analytical understanding that is critical for many of the challenges facing modern farms. Chile is one of the largest salmon-producing markets in the world, and we're glad to have him leading our work there."
– The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) announced Trident U.S.A. President Jeff Welbourn as a new member to the board of directors.
According to a release by ASMI, Welbourn leads the company's North America and Latin America businesses, including value-added operations, domestic sales, commercial strategy, research and development, product management, and sales. This includes work with harvesting, processing, sales, and operations.
"Jeff brings a unique, end-to-end perspective to the industry, with experience spanning the entire Alaska seafood value chain," ASMI said in the release. "He began his career as a processor in Bristol Bay and later participated in commercial fishing operations on Kodiak Island before advancing through leadership roles in plant management, international operations, commercial strategy, systems development, and large-scale Alaska processing operations. Throughout his career, he has focused on strengthening the competitiveness of Alaska seafood through innovation, market development, operational excellence, and cross-industry collaboration."
Prior to joining the board of directors, Welbourn was on the ASMI domestic marketing committee, working with private sector and government partners to promote Alaskan seafood and sustainable fisheries globally.
He's served as the president of Trident U.S.A. since September 2024, and has been with the company since 2009. He started as the production manager of the frozen plant, then the manager of Qingdao operations, then was promoted to the director. In May 2016, he became the senior director of Trident U.S.A.'s China business office, and then was promoted to the senior director of global species management. In October 2020, Welbourne became the vice president of Alaska whitefish operations, and then the senior vice president of Alaska operations before becoming president.
– Margate, Florida, U.S.A.-based wholesale and retail seafood provider Floribbean Seafood recently hired Jay Yates as the vice president of sales.
"One of the things that attracted me to Floribbean is the tremendous opportunity ahead – the people, the products, the culture, and most importantly, the potential to grow," Yates said on LinkedIn.
According to a post on LinkedIn, Yates will lead the company's sales organization and commercial growth strategy while focusing on expanding market share, developing sales teams, strengthening customer partnerships, and scaling up operations.
Prior to joining the Floribbean team, Yates worked as the general manager of Ocean Beauty Seafoods for just under 11 years, as well as vice president of sales for the distribution group for three years. He started his career as a sales manager for Pacific Seafood in August 2002 for 6 years.
"As Floribbean Seafood continues to expand our national footprint and invest in innovative products and exceptional customer service, Jay's leadership and industry expertise will play an important role in helping us achieve our next stage of growth," Floribbean Seafood said on LinkedIn.
