On July 1st oversight of the Seafood Board from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism under the office of Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne. Photo: Ed Lallo/Louisiana Seafood News/Newsroom Ink
by Christine Blank, SeafoodSource contributing editor
Despite Executive Director Ewell Smith resigning the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board (LSPMB) and moving its offices, the board’s chairman is positive about the future.
Kristin McLaren (right), assistant director of the LSPMB, is making the move to Baton Rouge and Folse has asked Lt. Gov. Dardenne to appoint her as interim executive director. McLaren meets with GCR,Inc.’s Dan Austin (left) and former executive director Ewell Smith before a seafood board meeting. Photo: Ed Lallo/Louisiana Seafood News/Newsroom Ink
“We see a seamless transition, other than losing a guy that has great respect in the industry. It is certainly not what was desired, but you deal with the hand that is dealt,” said Chef John Folse, chairman of the LSPMB and owner of Restaurant R’evolution in New Orleans and Chef John Folse & Company Manufacturing.
Smith resigned after opting to stay in New Orleans with his family and work in the city, according to Folse.
However, Kristin McLaren, assistant director of the LSPMB, is making the move to Baton Rouge and Folse has asked Dardenne to appoint her as interim executive director while the board of directors searches for a new executive director. “I will be adding Kristin’s name as one of the main candidates [for executive director],” Folse said.
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