Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Waldrop Resigns, BBRSDA Appoints LaRussa as Interim Executive Director

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.