Fishmonger and seafood industry mainstay Harry Mahleres announced he will be retiring from his post as Director of Purchasing for Seattle Fish Co. after nearly 25 years with the company.
Mahleres – whom colleagues described as “firm but fair” according to Seattle Fish Co.’s Fishmonger Journal – has worked in seafood in several capacities, getting his start at H&C Fish and then owning a restaurant (Harry M’s in Grand Junction). According to Mahleres, Seattle Fish Co.’s Ed Iacino grew “tired of competing” with him and offered Mahleres a job starting in sales as a manager.
When Iacino retired, Mahleres took over as the Director of Fish Purchasing, a position he would maintain for 15 years: “Ed purchased primarily most of the seafood with some assistance. I took that over when he left. I did and still do remain in sales to a limited degree,” Mahleres said in his exit interview.
The job had its set of challenges, according to Mahleres.
“It’s a daily challenge. You’re buying for a major fish company, looking at significant growth, especially the last five years at double-digit levels. These past few years are probably what I am most proud of; being part of the Senior Leadership Team, overseeing tremendous growth in the company, locally and regionally. It’s truly been a great and challenging time,” he told Seattle Fish Co.’s Fishmonger Journal.
The seafood industry at large similarly faced some noticeable obstacles during Mahleres’ tenure with Seattle Fish Co. : “The biggest changes we’ve seen is how we view our industry regarding preservation of the oceans for future generations. Sustainability; doing the right thing, following the proper procedures, being transparent. Transparency might be the biggest change. It’s been a necessary change. Twenty-five years ago there was little regard for where you got your swordfish or your tunas or how it was harvested. It was just ‘give me good, fresh fish, let me sell it, I don’t care how you got it.’ It’s different now, and it should be,” said Mahleres.
Mahleres last day will be on 30 April, 2016.
Read more from his exit interview here: http://www.seattlefish.com/the-colorado-fishmongers-retirement-interview/
