by Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News Editor
One of the strongest voices for the Gulf of Mexico and the seafood it produces has taken the first step in an ongoing process to enlarge its board of directors. The Gulf Seafood Institute has installed William (Bill) T. Hogarth, Ph.D., Jennifer Jenkins and Raz Halili as new board members.
“This is the first expansion of the board since the foundation of the Gulf Seafood Institute,” said the organizations executive director Margaret Henderson. “I am excited about our new board members joining the team, and look forward to having others in the near future.”
The new board members represent three of the five Gulf States.
William (Bill) T. Hogarth, Ph.D
Dr. Bill Hogarth currently serves as the Director of the Florida Institute of Oceanography located within the College of Marine Science at the University of South Florida in Tampa. He assumed his current position after serving as the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Dr. Bill Hogarth currently serves as the Director of the Florida Institute of Oceanography located within the College of Marine Science at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Photo: University of South Florida
Appointed by President George W. Bush in 2001, Dr. Hogarth oversaw the management and conservation of the entirety of the nation’s marine fisheries and the protection of marine mammals, sea turtles and coastal fisheries habitat. During his time at NOAA, the former Director of the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries focused on rebuilding and sustaining fisheries to their long-term potential while maintaining a delicate balance of achieving multiple objectives that produce the greatest benefits to the nation.
With a background and experience that has focused on a wide range of scientific and marine policy issues, Hogarth has also served as the Commissioner and Chairman for the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna and the Commissioner and Chairman for the International Whaling Commission, a Presidential appointment.
It was during his tenure that Congress last reauthorized the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act with increased emphasis on protecting not only marine species but also the economies and communities that depend on them. Dr. Hogarth’s vast knowledge of fisheries policy, his long list of contacts among the world’s leading seafood policy experts and his thorough understanding of how the budgetary and policy process work in Washington, D.C. be a priceless asset to GSI moving forward.
Jennifer Jenkins
As manager of Crystal Seas Seafood in Pass Christian for the past 12-years, Mississippi, Jennifer Jenkins knows seafood, especially oysters. Her fast-growing business, which has operations in both Mississippi and Louisiana, processes oysters to sell to distributors both nationally and internationally.
Jennifer Jenkins of Crystal Seas Seafood in Pass Christian, Miss., speaks during a town-hall meeting about the Deepwater Horizon oil spill with Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss. Photo: John Fitzhugh, The Sun Herald
Since Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, she has been a strong voice for her industry and Gulf of Mexico seafood. Whether testifying at town hall meetings held by Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker or giving interviews to National Public Radio, Jenkins know the importance of keeping the Gulf seafood messaging on track and in the public eye.
“I spend a lot of time working on H2B legislation,” said Jenkins about the US program for temporary employment by foreign nationals. “That seems to be my passion.”
A graduate of East Carolina University, she has also served on the Pass Christian Chamber of Commerce.
Jenkins explained that her company has worked hard to be able to offer its customers both traditional oysters and two different types of post harvest products…IQF Half Shell Oysters and Irradiated Whole Oysters.
Raz Halili
After migrating from Albania in the 1970’s, Johhny Halili established Prestige Oyster, the world’s largest oyster shipping company located on the waters of Galveston Bay in Texas. Johnny’s son Raz, the executive vice president, now operates the business, which grew from a one-boat operation into a successful seafood distribution business with a focus on oysters.
Raz Halili works with an in-house team of more than 50 professionals, spread between two processing plants and several dock operations. Photo: Facebook
Raz Halili works with an in-house team of more than 50 professionals, spread between two processing plants and several dock operations. Prestige offers fresh and frozen oysters to customers all over the United States, and sells oysters under the company’s flagship brand, as well as to other processors.
Over the years, Prestige had developed a reputation for taste, quality and food safety.
“As kid I have grown up on our oyster boats and dock, learning the trade from a young age,” said Halili, a graduate of Houston Baptist University. “When approached about the opportunity to serve on the board of GSI, I was very excited and humbled. I’m extremely honored to have the opportunity to work along side these astound members of GSI. This organization is destined to help shape our Gulf Coast for generations to come. I look forward learning and working with my fellow board members.”
Harlon Pearce, the boards president, is delighted the new Board members have decided add their experience, talent, time and expertise to further GSI’s mission. “The broad diversity they bring to the table will further strengthen our efforts to ensure that Gulf seafood remains available for all,” he said.
With this impressive slate of incoming Directors, GSI has set the bar even higher for what it means to be a member of this organization. I’ve said in the past that GSI is fast-becoming a “brain trust” for Gulf seafood. With the addition of this distinguished group of professionals, that statement is even more accurate. I know I speak for our entire membership when I say we’re proud of what our members have accomplished individually, but as a team, our potential to bring together the entire Gulf community is truly immeasurable.
Visitor Comments