Kristin McLaren, the assistant executive director for the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, is leaving the board to become the executive director of the newly-established Chef John Folse Foundation, according to a statement.
McLaren served as the board's interim executive director in November 2011 when it transitioned from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to the Office of Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne.
While at the board, McLaren directly oversaw the implementation of USD 1.7 million in federal grants. She also helped with accounting for the board's use of USD 32 million in BP funding and USD 1.5 million in state funds allocated to general seafood marketing.
McLaren was unavailable for comment, but Sarah Voisin, a member of the board and widow of the board's founder, Mike Voisin, wrote in her congratulatory note to McLaren, "Chef John Folse is a lucky guy to have you on his team. Both you, and your talents, will be sorely missed by the entire seafood community. Thank you for your years of hard work and true dedication to the industry."
McLaren graduated from Tulane University with a degree in journalism. She has served on boards and commissions, worked for a state agency and been on the floor of the Louisiana legislature. She will start her new position later this month.
March 11, 2014
