Northwest Aquaculture Alliance expands board leadership
The Northwest Aquaculture Alliance (NWAA) has announced the expansion of its leadership team with the election of new officers and directors across the Pacific Region and the Americas.
Taking the helm as NWAA President is global seafood industry leader, Dick Jones, with Alaska seafood veteran, Jeff Hetrick, as Vice President. New directors include Marcela Paz Delgado, DVM, founder and CEO of Sudvet Corp., and Landen Talbot, Global Sales Manager of Troutlodge, Inc.
The elections took place at NWAA’s Board of Directors meeting last month, following the retirement of its long-time President, Jamestown Seafood CEO, Jim Parsons. The expanded board begins its term immediately.
Parsons received NWAA’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024, served as NWAA’s President from 2020 to December 2025, where he led the Alliance’s aquaculture advocacy efforts. As President-emeritus, Parsons will continue to serve NWAA as Board Advisor.
Jones, CEO and founder of Kona, Hawaii-based Tidepoint Group, previously was CEO of Blue Ocean Mariculture, the only open-ocean finfish mariculture company operating in the United States. He is currently the Executive Director of the Hawai’i Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association (HAAA) and Executive Director of the National Fisheries Institute’s Sushi Council. He brings more than three decades of experience in seafood, aquaculture, and non-profit ocean stewardship to the organisation.
Hetrick, a nationally-recognised leader in shellfish mariculture, salmon enhancement, and tribally-led marine research, is Director of the Seward, Alaska-based Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute. In addition to serving as Vice President of NWAA, Hetrick sits on the boards of the National Aquaculture Association (NAA) and the Kurt Grinnell Aquaculture Scholarship Foundation.
Incoming President Jones brings a wealth of experience and commitment to building NWAA’s success going forward.
He said: “I am honoured to serve as President and look forward to collaborating with our members and partners to further the Alliance’s strategic priorities.
“As NWAA enters a new chapter, the organisation remains focused on expanding its impact across the Pacific Region.
“We believe the time has come for the United States to follow the lead of other countries in producing seafood through responsible, sustainable aquaculture in both marine and freshwater environments. We intend to play a key role in making US aquaculture happen.”
NWAA Executive Director Jeanne McKnight welcomed the new leaders, noting that the combined expertise of Jones, Hetrick, Delgado, and Talbot positions the organisation to accelerate its advocacy, education, and industry‑building efforts across the Pacific Region.
“Each of these leaders brings a unique and essential perspective to our mission,” McKnight said. “Their collective experience – from fish health and welfare to hatchery operations, policy, and global seafood systems – strengthens NWAA’s ability to champion responsible aquaculture and support the growth of a resilient domestic seafood sector.
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