NFI Future Leaders Newsletter (2014-1)[spring]

FUTURE LEADERS

NFI

Survival ThreadSpring Edition, 2014

We’re

SurvivingWhat an exciting 1st quarter of 2014! It was great seeing everyone in Boston. We hope everyone who was able to attend the Future Leader Alumni event had a great time. It was a new venue, and a new day and time. We felt is was a success, but we want your honest feedback. Let us know how we can improve upon this for next year. This was the largest turnout we have had in several years—let̕s keep that going. This year we had 69 people attend! Let̕s aim to break 100 in 2015!

For this chatter section, we want to continue to encourage participation in our awesome sub-committees. There are many opportunities to get involved. Page 2 lists available committees to consider. Please feel free to reach out to us if you want to participate. We would welcome any and all help—just reach out to one of us and we will get you moving. Our contact information is as follows:

Sarah Hayes

Maritime Products International

757-873-9760

[email protected]

DON’T MISS OUT!

Our next Future Leaders Alumni

Committee Meeting is at the

Spring Fly-In in Washington, DC

Tuesday, May 13

2:30-4:30 (EST)

Azalea Room

If you are not attending the

Spring Fly-In, you can still

participate by calling into the

meeting!

888-619-1583

Code: 7037528880

See you there!

CHATTER FROM THE CO-CHAIRS

Michael Lieberman

FOA & Son Corporation

646-435-7719

[email protected]

Spring Edition - Survival Thread -

The National Fisheries Institute’s Future Leader Alumni hosted a re-tooled reunion to start the 2014 Seafood Expo North America in Boston that raised about $5,000 for the Seafood Industry Research Fund (SIRF).

Roughly 80 Alumni joined with the 2014 Future Leader Class at the Westin Boston Waterfront ahead of the Expo on Saturday March 15, 2014.

This was the first reunion to be held at the Westin as part of a restructured format that doubled as a fundraising event for SIRF—a leading non-profit fund

that gives to colleges, universities and other institutions to conduct research of interest to the seafood industry and the consumers of its products.

All-in-all the event was a massive success as Alumni packed the venue to network with fellow Alumni and this year’s incoming class and raise funds for SIRF.

Sponsors of the event included NFI members Urner Barry, Preferred Freezer Services and Arista Industries, Sea Port, Maritime Products International, Diversified Communications, FOA & Son and Eastern Fish Company.

AT THE ALUMNI EVENT IN BOSTON: Derek Figueroa smiles after receiving a special award from some of his fellow alumni

Thank you to our Boston Alumni Event Sponsors Urner Barry, Preferred Freezer Services, Arista Industries, Sea Port, Maritime Products International, Diversified Communications, FOA & Son and Eastern Fish Compa-ny. You make it possible!

Thank you to our Boston

alumni event sponsors !

SIRF Fundraising CommitteeThis committee has been formed to help look for ways for the alumni to help raise awareness and money for SIRF. The following alumni recently volunteered to help on this committee:

Liz Plega . . . . Diversified Business Communications Jenni Davis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Seaport Denise Gurshin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Highliner Patrick Kearns . . . . . . . . . . . . .Eastern Fish Mike Ramsey . . . . . . . . . . . . . Urner Barry Tracy Hoger . . . . . . . . . . . . Limson Trading Sarah Hayes . . . . . Maritime Products International Michael Lieberman . . . . . . FOA & Son Corporation

Future Education SessionThis committee functions to look at various leadership and industry education we can offer for the alumni to consider. The following are currently serving.

Jenni Davis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Seaport Sarah Hayes . . . . . . . . . . . Maritime Products Dan DiDonato . . . . . . . Preferred Freezer Services Janice Schreiber . . . . . . . . . . . . Urner Barry

2015 GSMC/Las Vegas Alumni EventThis committee will consider if it is possible to organize an alumni event in conjunction with the Global Seafood Marketing Conference in Las Vegas in January 2015. We are currently seeking volunteers to serve on this committee:

Sarah Hayes . . . . . . . . . . . Maritime Products Michael Lieberman . . . . . . FOA & Son Corporation

2015 Boston Seafood Show Alumni EventThis committee will organize all of the details for the alumni event that occurs in conjunction with the Boston Seafood Show. Current alumni serving are listed below.

Mary Larkin . . . Diversified Business Communications Dan DiDonato . . . . . . . Preferred Freezer Services Sarah Hayes . . . . . Maritime Products International Jenni Davis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Seaport Michael Lieberman . . . . . . FOA & Son Corporation

2015 Future Leaders Class ProjectThis committee works to determine the parameters for the current future leaders class project. We will be looking to begin work on this committee towards the end of 2014 so please let us know if you would have in interest in partcipating.

Michael Lieberman . . . . . . FOA & Son Corporation

FUTURE LEADER ALUMNI SUB-COMMITTEES

FUTURE LEADERS ALUMNI EVENT - BOSTON 2014


Ever year NFI brings together a new group of seafood professionals. Each class is different. The members change, the locations change, and the curriculum changes. But one constant is the annual volunteer event, where the class comes together as a team to help hungry families.

Food banks are thankful for all the seafood we donate throughout the year. There is never enough protein, and the items donated by NFI members are a welcome addition to the low-value, high starch items that fill the shelves.

Volunteering can also be a lot of fun. Put 30 people in a warehouse, with music, conveyor belts, and stacks of donated food to sort. The camaraderie is infectious and the time flies. Some Future Leaders come back year after year, to help at the annual volunteer event. Michael Lieberman is a

A History of

Volunteering

great example. Michael was president of the 2007 class. That class hosted the first large fundraiser for SeaShare. Michael is now a SeaShare board member, co-chair of the NFI Future Leaders Committee, and a repeat volunteer at the annual event.

Anyone can volunteer! Individually, through your company, or an association. SeaShare connects the seafood industry with food banks across the country. Feeding America has 212 affiliates covering all 50 states. Contact SeaShare to find out more. The Future Leaders have a great history of donating their time as well as their expertise. We look forward to the event that this year’s class will coordinate. Stay tuned.

In addition to donated food, food banks rely on volunteers who donate time collecting, sorting, and distributing food. Money saved on labor can be used to access additional food and resources for the families they serve.

Future Leaders sorting food (Jan 2013)

Future Leaders and alumni (Miami, Jan 2014)

Michael Liberman (Jan 2012)


Do you have a story to tell? An idea to share? A quote to inspire us all? Well . . .

There’s a blank space right here, just for you to make a contribution in the next edition (Summer Edition) coming out August! We would love to hear from you: your interesting news stories, leadership ideas, your “ah ha” moments, and certainly your amazing quotes!

This is our second edition of the newsletter—and we hope you enjoy it because there’s more to come!

We look forward to hearing from you and look forward to publishing your article in our next edition.

¡Hola mis Amigos!¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

This spot is Reserved for

YOU!

Jenni Davis [email protected] Janice [Brown] Schreiber

[email protected]

Volunteer

NOW

Seafood Expo North America Boston, 2014


As a board member of SIRF (Seafood Industry Research Fund) since 2011, it has been my goal along with other FL Alumni members to develop a collaboration effort between the FL Alumni Committee and the SIRF organization. The first step in this effort was to get the word out on who SIRF is and the purpose of the organization. So over the last several years, lots of work has been done to accomplish this goal. The “SIRF Board’s” efforts have included 1) multiple presentations at NFI and other seafood related events, 2) a huge rebranding effort (changing the name from Fisheries Scholarship Fund to Seafood Industry Research Fund), 3) sponsorship of an exclusive dinner at NFI’s Annual Global Seafood Conference this past January, and 4) Continued chatter from each of the members on the board. We are beginning to see the results of simply “getting the word out”!!!!

For those of you reading this who are still unaware of the organization (those possibly living in the jungle with no Wi-Fi availability), here is another plug. SIRF is a tax exempt, philanthropic, educational organization that funds grants to colleges, universities and other institutions to conduct research of interest to the seafood industry and the consumers of its products. The Fund was established in 1964 and is supported entirely by voluntary contributions from individuals and companies in and related to the seafood industry.

For the last 2 years, the FL alumni group has pondered multiple ideas of exactly how to “get involved” with SIRF. One of those ideas was to re-launch our annual FL Alumni event held during the International Boston Seafood Show (now known as SENA- Seafood Expo North America) not only as a function where you can rekindle relationships formed over the years but to take all the proceeds and donate the funds to SIRF -- essentially linking the groups together. This would be our first attempt to advertise the FL Alumni group and their intent to help make a difference in the fundraising efforts of SIRF. I am happy to report that with the help of our generous sponsors (highlighted on page 2 of this newsletter) and all of the FL Alumni who attended the event, we were able to raise $5,000, which will be presented to the SIRF Board during this year’s NFI Spring Political Conference in Washington DC.

Although our first effort as a group on raising funds for SIRF was a success, there is plenty of more work to do. It is our intent to host another FL fundraising event at the 2015 NFI Global Seafood Market Conference and welcome all ideas from this group on the theme for the evening.

As Future Leaders of this great industry, I challenge all of you to make a difference and consider how you can play a part in supporting SIRF and their fund raising activities.

Sincerely,

Don DiDonato, Class of 2001

NOWFUTURELEADERS

Contributed by Danny DiDonato, “SIRF Board” Member, FL Alumni, and VP of Sales/Preferred Freezers (aka man who wears a lot of hats)


The largest class in the history of the National Fisheries Institute’s Future Leaders program will head to Alaska for the first in the program’s history.

Over 40 seafood professionals from across the country will partake in the year-long networking and educational program founded in 1998 by industry veteran Wally Stevens. Since its inception the NFI has graduated over 200 Future Leaders to its Alumni Association.

The program kicked off at the 2014 Seafood Expo North America in March where they learned about the program, including the annual class project. The Leaders were welcomed into the program by NFI Chairman of the Board, Sean O’Scannlain of Fortune Fish; NFI President John Connelly, and several key NFI Staff who gave presentations on NFI’s core issues and programs.

“It’s always great to see the class interact for the first time at the Boston Seafood Show. It’s amazing to witness the first handshakes and introductions of fellow classmates, knowing that within a year, going through the Future Leaders program, lifelong business relationships and friendships will be formed,” Future Leader Alumni Michael Lieberman of FOA & Son Corporation.

In May the Leaders will start the program in Jacksonville, Florida where they will participate in a “Shrimp 101” tutorial and tour a seafood production plant on St. Simons Island.

Session two in July will send the Class to Portland, Oregon for the ever-popular safety at sea training event. An industry research discussion also headlines the trip.

Then in a program first the Leaders will leave the Lower 48 to Ketchikan, Alaska where they participate in a seafood culinary event and tour a Trident Seafoods facility.

Finally, in September the Class will engage with the country’s leadership on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C for the annual Day on the Hill event. While there the Leaders will learn about the NFI’s lobbying practices and mission and will rendezvous their regional politicians to educate them on an important seafood regulatory or policy issue.

Continued, next page...

1 ST. SIMONS ISLAND, GA; JACKSONVILLE, FL

MAY 6-8, 2014 (2 Nights/3 Days)

Seafood Production Facility Shrimp 101 Titans of Industry Meeting PR/Marketing Discussion Culinary Event

2 PORTLAND, OR

JULY 8-10, 2014

Production Facility Tours Safety at Sea Training Industry Research Discussion Titans of Industry Meeting Networking Event

3 KETCHIKAN, AK

AUGUST 12-14, 2014

The itinerary includes: Seafood Facility Tour Titans of Industry Meeting Team Building Event Sustainability Discussion

4 WASHINGTON, DC

SEPT 16-18, 2014

Overview of Regulatory Agencies Day on the Hill Communication Training Titans of Industry Meeting NOAA Discussion

CURRENT YEAR

FUTURELEADERCLASS

FL CURRENTYEAR SCHEDULEThe Larg est Y et!


The 2014 program will wrap up in Las Vegas, Nevada at the 2015 Global Seafood Marketing Conference in January, sending another round of Future Leaders into the ever-growing pool Alumni, elevating them to an exclusive crowd of professionals with a unique set of experiences and education.

According Lieberman it will be interesting to see how the bigger class impacts the program.

“The program has really been gaining a ton of interest. Because of this, the amount of people participating in each class has grown tremendously. The alumni committee wants to be certain that each participant is getting the most out of the program. Does a large class size impact the experience? We have yet to draw a conclusion on this issue, and we’ll be sure to get feedback from the current class.”

NFI’s Senior Vice President Judy Dashiell shared Lieberman’s sentiments about the ever-growing class size, but said encouragement from the industry and an immensely talented amount of candidates was all that was needed to sign up the biggest group in the program’s history.

“We had amazing candidates and felt that this was a year we could expand the size of the class,” said Dashiell. “We called some CEO’s who had put forth candidates and asked their opinion of a larger class. They encouraged us to ‘go for it’. That said, we will be closely watching to make sure the class is bonding

and have the quintessential Future Leaders experience. Each year is unique.”

...continued from page 6

FUTURE LEADERS

SPOTLIGHTin the

I am the newest employee at Sea Port Products, having started in June of 2013 as a

novice in the seafood industry. Upon finishing school at the University of Washington, where I studied

Communications and American Ethnic Studies, I held a couple sales positions in various technological fields. Coming into Sea Port, I came with the sales experience, just not much of the seafood experience. Since starting with Sea Port, I have been embraced by my colleagues here who have been instrumental in providing me with the training and support to get me familiar with the ins and outs of the industry. Working in a family-like environment has truly been a pleasure. In a smaller company, having direct communication with the import operations manager, to the vice president, all the way up to the president, Bill Dresser, is a luxury and huge advantage for a newer employee looking to grow within the industry.

I am eager to dive in further into the industry and cannot wait for the experiences that lie ahead of me within the Future Leaders program. While I am especially looking forward to the Ketchikan, AK trip in July, I am most looking forward to the opportunity to meet other professionals in different walks of the industry. I got a quick peek at what my class looks like in Boston, and I know I will be surrounded by many diverse backgrounds while going through the program. Learning and growing from the cumulative experiences from the other professionals in the industry is something I know will be invaluable. My colleagues here at Sea Port who have already graduated from Future Leaders have all shared their experiences and memories with me and I am very much looking forward to creating some of my own!

Lauren Inaba CLASS OF

2014


Four years has gone by quickly, it feels like yesterday that I graduated from Future the Leaders. I am the Vice President of Marketing for Fortune Fish & Gourmet and I was the first person from our company to go through the program. Since my graduation, we have had someone from our company graduate

every year since. For some reason at the beginning, I was a little nervous that the people after me wouldn’t enjoy it as much as I did. Although, as each one returns from a trip, it is obvious that they do and some seem to have enjoyed it a little more than I did. I now get a lot of enjoyment listening to the excitement in my colleague’s voices, when they talk about their accomplishments or stories from their trips. Each year, the Future Leader classes seem to do more, raise more money and come closer together as a group. On our annual trip to the Boston Seafood Show everyone now understands when someone is absent from a dinner, because they are having their annual “Future Leaders Class reunion”. The excitement surrounding Future Leaders spreads through our company and it is an honor to be the next one chosen for the program. I think it is a testament of how powerful this program can be in the development of someone’s career in the seafood business.

Since 2010, we acquired two Gourmet Food companies and changed our name from Fortune Fish Company to Fortune Fish & Gourmet. With this change we expanded with an 11,000 square foot addition to our production facility to accommodate an extensive line of gourmet food products. The most exciting project we are involved in with the seafood industry is being a founding member of Sea Pact. We are now a group of nine, like-minded seafood companies in North America, with a goal to improve the sustainability of global seafood. To accomplish this, all members of Sea Pact pledged to financially contribute to selected projects that are aligned with our mission. We meet on a bi-monthly basis and twice a year in person to select projects for funding. What pulls it all together is that five out of the six US-based people (there are 3 Canadian companies) in Sea Pact are all fellow Future Leader graduates, which is one more testament to the success of the program.

Mark PalickiCLASS OF

2010

Andrew WardCLASS OF

2010

As a 2010 graduate of the NFI Future Leaders Program, I cannot begin to express what an honor it was to be part of such a dynamic, informative and educational program. The Future Leaders program gave me the opportunity to meet and befriend a very solid group of seafood industry professionals!

I started Camco Seafood LLC in 2008 with two partners, Michael Trotta and Chris Dion and our main objective/mantra was to only represent companies and the seafood products that they produce, as long as those products had been deemed/certified sustainable; Camco’s core competencies are shrimp, cod/haddock, pangasius and scallops. Because of the angle, which was initially taken, the road hasn’t been easy but I have embraced every step and every challenge that I have come up against regardless of the outcome.

Having been involved in the seafood industry off and on since 1989 I thought I had a pretty good grasp of what the industry was all about but quickly came to find out from those in my class that there was a perspective that I had yet to be exposed to.

Since starting Camco Seafood LLC and participating in the NFI Future Leaders program, my exposure and understanding of the seafood industry has broadened tremendously with more overseas travel, stronger industry relationships, different sales techniques and less fear of the unkonown.

I still believe that there is a lot to learn about the industry, some good and some bad but the end result(s) will continue to be a better me.

NFI Future Leaders Newsletter (2014-1)[spring]

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Transcript of NFI Future Leaders Newsletter (2014-1)[spring]