Ron Rogness is an industry veteran who has been working with GAPP for several years.
Photo: Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers.
The Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) announced this week the appointment of Ron Rogness as interim Executive Director following the departure of CEO Craig Morris, who, after seven years of service to the Alaska pollock industry, announced his resignation last month to pursue a new opportunity as President of Keyport LLC, the US premier processor and supplier of wild-caught crab and frozen seafood.
A seafood industry veteran, Rogness, who previously worked for the organization as a consultant on fisheries and economic issues, was appointed Director of Industry Relations, Partnerships and Fishery Analysis just over three years ago, in January 2023, a position he has continued to hold until now.
According to GAPP's release at that time, his job in that position was to devote attention to representing the Association in broader seafood collaborations and committees and securing additional funding to advance its mission to build awareness and demand for Wild Alaska Pollock, through grants and other opportunities.
Now, in his new role as interim Executive Director of the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers, he will oversee the organization's daily operations and report to GAPP's Board of Directors, elected last December.
"We are extremely fortunate to have someone of Ron's knowledge and experience to assist in the transition to the new CEO," said GAPP Chairman Jim Johnson. "Ron has been an integral member of the GAPP team for the past five years and understands GAPP, the fishery, and industry as well as anyone," he added.
"I very much appreciate the Board's confidence in naming me to this role," Ron Rogness stated, for his part. "The Alaska pollock fishery and the people that work within the industry are extremely important to me and I am very proud to represent them during this transition."
Meanwhile, according to GAPP Chairman, the Association will conduct a thorough search for the next CEO to lead it and build on the tremendous progress that Alaska pollock producers have made in building the Wild Alaska Pollock brand in both domestic and international markets.