NWFE - Key Persons
A Wheat Farmer also and married to a third generation farmer/ rancher (Larry's 2nd cousin) who was also a leader in the wheat industry and served for President Regan as advisory and a National wheat association head .
Al is our regular guy on the Board of Directors- a retired machinist career, he is active in clubs, shooting, hunting and fishing, Al is not an insider on fisheries, he pays a bit of attention now, he has fished in an array of places, with a guide or friends. Al wants successful fishing ventures and outdoor experiences for himself and friends.
Job Titles:
- NOAA Director and New Administrator
Job Titles:
- Advisory and Technical Consultant
Advisory and Technical consultant Christopher Vandenberg was a seasonal fisheries technician and biologist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and other state and federal agencies. In 1995 he graduated from Humboldt State University with a BS in Fisheries Biology. In 2010, Mr. Vandenberg graduated from Willamette University Law School with an emphasis in natural resource law and wildlife management. He is a volunteer commissioner on the Lewis County Washington Water Conservancy Board. He previously served as an Advisory Board Member to Oregon State University- Oregon Hatchery Research Center. He currently operates a solo practice law firm in Chehalis, Washington and is an Advisory Board member for NWFE. Chris is a rarity in fisheries, a lawyer with a field background of actually working in the field/ rivers, streams, hatcheries, research and with a working knowledge of fisheries, is an avid fly and tackle fisherman and enjoys the outdoors.
Fire Chief Dave Leitch has been part of Yakima Counties Fire Service in Washington State for the past 40 years. After 13 years as a volunteer firefighter Dave was hired fulltime as the Fire District # 12's first fulltime Training Officer. He was promoted to Deputy Chief of Operations & Safety in 1996. He served as Fire Chief for 16 years recently retiring in 2016. Dave is currently serving as a volunteer Fire Chief for Yakima County FD 1. He has actively worked with, recruited and retained 85 to 100 volunteers with Yakima FD 12 during his career. The Fire District served over 16,000 people spread over 100 square miles. Chief Leitch has been an active member on Type II Incident Management Teams since 1997. Serving as a Division Supervisor, Operations Chief and is now currently an Incident Commander for Washington state. Dave and his fire teams have traveled across the western states managing large wildfires. For 22 years Dave served on Washington State's Labor and Industries Firefighter Safety Technical Review Team. Dave has been recognized as a leader in Inter-Agency cooperation working with county, state, and federal agencies. The Washington State Fire Chief's Association honored Chief Leitch with their "Fire Chief of the Year Award" in 2008. Chief Leitch is an avid outdoorsmen, re-engaging in many activities out of doors since his retirement.
Dr. Jesse Trushenski is a fisheries scientist with specific interests in fish culture and conservation. Her career path has included prominent appointments in academia (tenured Associate Professor at Southern Illinois University), the public sector (Fish Pathologist Supervisor for Idaho Department of Fish and Game), and private industry (Director of Science for Riverence Holdings). Whether it's fish nutrition, physiology, or health, Jesse has always been driven by the practical applications of science, going from data to information and information to action. Jesse has also fulfilled numerous leadership roles within the fisheries and aquaculture communities. She has chaired or served on multiple advisory panels and other committees addressing aquaculture research, regulation, and policy on a national scale, and is the immediate Past-President of the American Fisheries Society.
Jesse is a leader in the fisheries science world, NWFE turns to her often for guidance whether for hatchery or wild fish projects.
Job Titles:
- Management Director and CEO, 2007 - Present
Experienced Science Director with a demonstrated history of working in the fishery and aquaculture sectors. Skilled in Communication, Negotiation, Environmental Awareness, Environmental DNA Technologies, Business Development, and Marketing Strategy. Strong professional experience with a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) focused in offering science-based solutions to environmental issues facing Fisheries Recovery and Aquaculture. Proven expertise in production and conservation methods for growth and reproduction in endangered and cultured fish, fish health diagnostics and research, molecular biology and R&D in fish health. Independent, third-party scientific advice and results-oriented.
A degree background that is non-traditional when compared to most in aquaculture, has been foundational to my thirty eight year career. This degree path started with a B.Sc. in Physical Geography (estuarine geomorphology), a M.Sc. in Resource Geography (marine resource management) and a minor in Economics. This academic mixture has served well both for employers and myself personally. My career track has included managing various species in wide-spread locations, from Atlantic salmon farms and hatcheries from Washington State to the coast of Maine, to a trout farm and hatchery in California, to a shrimp farm in Hawaii. Along the way I have designed RAS for hatcheries, consulted in aquaculture development both domestically and internationally and managed oyster and clam farms. Currently I'm working for a broodstock farm producing steelhead, coho and Atlantic salmon eggs. All but the mollusks required a firm grasp on feed from the nutritional aspect to feeding techniques, from performance and economic analysis to waste management. For just shy of 13 years I represented EWOS/Cargill (international feed company) in the Pacific Northwest where I grew up and obtained my education.
So, it is safe to say that I have had an eclectic career in aquaculture. This variety has provided a broad base of experience for dealing with issues that many managers in aquaculture face. I don't get surprised often, but often enough to stay enthusiastically interested in the operational side of aquaculture.
His background in aquaculture research dates back to 1978 in research fish genetics, research and development. His work in Aquaculture, Stock Enhancement and Commercial aquaculture is extensive. Jim is a leader in Fish Genetics and Aquaculture communities.
He serves on national and regional committees and associations;
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Yakima Washington / Founder and President of the Board of NWFE -
Lawrence Pryor, Wade E. Coates, Paul S.U. Kang, Al Haub, Judge Laura Pryor,
Larry has viewed the Fisheries enhancement in the Northwest as a fisherman with a lifelong passion and businessman for years; He has seen need and opportunity for an entity to develop and is growing NWFE to fill those needs. He began NWFE as a Non Profit Corporation and has developed the directions along with Board Members. He brings his unique backgrounds and experience's to meet the growing dynamics of NWFE and its partners.
Hatchery and Fisheries Management - moving into an 10.0 version and beyond. Meeting responsible best and modern practices for Hatchery options and Natural Origin Salmon and Steelhead management.
Bridging Stock enhancement, Aquaculture and Tribal practices for best results and cost management.
Megan Sorby and Tom Sorby/ Kingfish Maine Operations Managers are developing one of the largest and most modern RAS / Recirculating Aquaculture System hatchery and grow out facility for yellowtail kingfish farm in the U.S. in Jonesport Maine, in association with Kingfish Zeeland of the Netherland
Job Titles:
- Marine Aquaculture Committee Member
NOAA MAFAC -Marine Aquaculture Committee member- advising the US Secretary of Commerce and NOAA on marine resource matters, USDA's National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education and Economics Board; Industry Advisory Council for the Western Regional Aquaculture Center. USDA's Subcommittee on Aquatic Animal Health.
Job Titles:
- Warwick, New York / CIO, Alta Companies
Paul began his 25-year investment and merger advisory career at Goldman Sachs in New York. He also served as CEO of Alta Capital Group, focusing on cross-border merchant banking with offices in New York, Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong, London and San Francisco. He began his career as a brand manager at Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati.
Currently he focuses on investments for his family with broad portfolio construction mandates and specific private equity efforts in the Americas and Asia. He has also served for over 15 years on investment committees ranging from $50 million to $50 billion. Paul has served on the Board of Trustees of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia since 1997, overseeing their $200 million endowment.
He received his AB in mathematics from Harvard and his MBA from Stanford Universities.
Paul has fished in the Northwest for Steelhead and toured large hatcheries,
Paul brings his extensive experience, resources and perspective to NWFE,
Mr. Haapala is an agricultural engineer and project manager with more than 46 years of experience specializing in irrigation system operation, maintenance, design, repair, and rehabilitation, Design and construction management of fish protective and rearing facilities, . Prior to joining CH2M HILL, he served in active combat duty overseas with the US Army Corps of Engineers and as the District Engineer for a large irrigation district in northern California. With CH2M HILL/ Jacobs, he has managed the evaluation, design, and construction management of several major irrigation water conveyance facilities, including master plan development, fish protective screens, fish rearing facilities, diversion dams, pumping equipment, hydroelectric facilities, pipelines, and open canals in the US and overseas. Many of the projects have been associated with the rehabilitation or replacement of older structures. Additionally, Mr. Haapala brings expertise in automatic control systems for pump stations, diversion structures, and canals. Several projects have included land application of industrial wastewater, he has designed and managed the design and construction of emergency repairs to irrigation conveyance facilities.
Job Titles:
- Owner and Principal Consultant at Columbia Public Affairs
Ryan Rodruck is the Owner and Principal Consultant at Columbia Public Affairs. Specializing in government, non-profit and public-sector communications and advocacy, Columbia Public Affairs builds and launches substantive communications and public affairs campaigns to help clients more meaningfully engage with their key audiences and stakeholders. Projects range from providing strategic communications advisory services; to guiding messaging and positioning; to tailoring traditional, digital, and social media solutions.
Director of operations for one of the largest commercial salmonid hatcheries, contained broodstock and egg sales of Steelhea d, Coho and Atlantic Salmon eggs facilities in the US, rearing from eggs to market. One of the most knowledgeable and experienced in Salmonid broodstock management, spawning and rearing in the U.S.
He graduated from Washington State University with BS in Wildlife Biology and Aquatic Ecology. He has spent 20+ years in Salmonid Broodstock management and Commercial Production systems. His experience also includes 20+ years' experience working with State, Federal, and Tribal stakeholders on various fishery enhancement projects and issues. He is the past president of United States Trout Farmers Association and he currently serves on the National Aquaculture Association Board of Directors. NWFE turns to Sean often for advisory, consult, assessments and recommendations.
Job Titles:
- Yakima Washington / Founder and President of the Board of NWFE -
Larry has viewed the Fisheries enhancement in the Northwest as a fisherman with a lifelong passion and businessman for years; He has seen need and opportunity for an entity to develop and is growing NWFE to fill those needs. He began NWFE as a Non Profit Corporation and has developed the directions along with Board Members. He brings his unique backgrounds and experience's to meet the growing dynamics of NWFE and its partners.