Bob Waldrop has resigned as executive director of the
Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association, but said March 17 that he
will be on tap to help newly appointed interim director Mike LaRussa.
Waldrop, who has spent his professional career in the
Alaskan salmon industry, said in a telephone interview from Boston that he
would stay on with the BBRSDA until assured of a smooth transition. Waldrop was
in Boston for the Seafood Expo North America, formerly the International Boston
Seafood Show, where BBRSDA was featuring Bristol Bay sockeye salmon at a booth.
Robert Heyano, president of the board of directors of the
BBRSDA, announced on March 14 that the board had accepted Waldrop’s
resignation, and wished Waldrop well in his next endeavors.
LaRussa, who is the association’s treasurer, will serve as
interim executive director.
The board is currently interviewing candidates and expects
to name a successor within 60 days.
During Waldrop’s tenure the BBRSDA has promoted greater ice
capacity and improved handling and quality of Bristol Bay’s commercial salmon
harvest.
Waldrop said that with the quality of fish harvests improved
and markets strong, this is a nice point at which to change the guard, as he
contemplates his own plans for the future.