Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative Members Appointed
Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative Board of Directors, Front row: Paul Paradis, Karan Cushman, Emily Lane, Hugh Reynolds. Back row: Luke Holden, Pat Keliher, Peter Miller, Vaughn Stinson, Frank Gotwals and Brian Whitney (On the day the photo was taken, Commissioner George Gervais was not at the meeting. Brian Whitney was there in his place.)
AUGUSTA – Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher has announced the appointment of a board for the newly created Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative. The Collaborative formed in October as a result of legislation to provide for the effective marketing and promotion of Maine Lobster. The formation of the Collaborative is the first step in a five-year, multi-million-dollar investment the industry has committed to marketing Maine Lobster.
Of the Collaborative Governor Paul LePage said, “Maine’s lobster industry has a rich tradition of independent fishermen dedicated to sustainably harvesting this deliciously sweet seafood. We are confident that our industry’s cooperative marketing investment and direct involvement on the new MLMC board from lobstermen, dealers and processors will help drive up profitable demand for branded Maine Lobster and further strengthen the overall Maine economy.”
Keliher said the department sought “leaders, innovators, marketing experts, harvesters, processors, dealers, small business owners and people who are eager to re-energize the Maine lobster brand. I am confident that they will be successful in setting an effective marketing course for the future and creating a new high level of excitement and demand for Maine lobster.”
The following have been named the new MLMC board:
MLMC Board Members
Karan Cushman | Port Clyde | Public Member
Karan is a 20-year branding and marketing veteran who is committed to helping organizations build stronger brands. She is president of Cushman Creative, a cross-media branding company specializing in the life sciences. Karan serves as an industry leader and speaker. She is a founding board member of AIGA Maine, the national association for design, and is also the author of Kelp-Beds, a blog that helps demystify the science of marketing biotech brands. As a member of a fifth-generation Maine fishing family, Karan understands the vital role that the state’s natural resources play in our economy, our coastal communities, and our quality of life.
Frank Gotwals | Stonington | Fisherman Zone C
Frank Gotwals has been a commercial fisherman since 1974. After getting his start with clams and scallops, he ended up fishing for lobster year round. He served on the board of the Stonington Lobster Co-op for 32 years – 20 years as board president. He also served on the Zone C Council and has been involved in whale regulations over the past several years. In his spare time, Frank is a musician and songwriter.
Luke Holden | Saco | Dealer/Processor
Luke was born and raised in Cape Elizabeth in a fishing family, spending his summers lobstering in a hand-made skiff. He went to Georgetown to study finance and management then on to a job as an investment banker in New York City. Wanting to pair his passion for Maine with his business savvy, in 2009 he founded Luke’s Lobster and started bringing quality, sustainable Maine seafood to New York. The business has expanded to include 11 locations and employ 125 people. In 2013, Luke and three partners opened Cape Seafood to process high quality lobster, crab and shrimp for Luke’s Lobster restaurants. Luke’s full bio...
Emily Lane | Portland | Dealer
Emily is a seasoned seafood industry professional. She specializes in export sales to Europe and Asia and is the VP of Sales for Calendar Islands Maine Lobster, a company dedicated to providing customers with delectable, gourmet Maine lobster fare. Emily has over 20 years experience in the Maine seafood industry. She recently returned to Vinalhaven to live year round.
Peter Miller | Tenants Harbor | Fisherman Zone D
Peter Miller has been fishing out of Tenants Harbor since he moved there in 1974. He first got a taste for lobstering when he worked with harvesters in Cape Porpoise during the summer months. His three brothers, his son and his nephew are all lobstermen, making lobstering a family affair for the Millers.
Paul Paradis | Bar Harbor | Zone B
Paul is a Mount Desert Island native who received a BS in Business Administration from Babson College. After a 5-year stint in the Coast Guard, he returned to MDI to enter the family business, which he eventually purchased. Paul serves on the Bar Harbor Town Council, as the chairman of the Bar Harbor Cruise Ship Committee and as Treasurer of the Bar Harbor Yacht Club. In his free time he is a private pilot and enjoys boating, recreational fishing and bicycling.
Hugh Reynolds | Stonington | Dealer
Hugh is owner of Greenhead Lobster, one of Maine’s largest purveyors of live, fresh lobster. Greenhead ships lobster worldwide from its dockside headquarters in Stonington, known for its rich and historic tradition of lobstering. Hugh is passionate about his work, the quality of his lobsters and above all, customer satisfaction. His strong work ethic and demand for uncompromised quality are reflected throughout his entire operation.
Vaughn A. Stinson | Hallowell | Public Member
Vaughn has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Maine Tourism Association since 1998. He has oversight of the state’s eight visitor information centers, is responsible for up to 60 full- and part-time employees and an annual budget of $2.2 million. Vaughn’s involvement with the chambers of commerce and convention & visitors bureaus in Georgia, Maine, Florida, and Mississippi has provided him with a broad knowledge of travel and tourism, and their impact on economic and community development.
Ex-Officio Members
Patrick Kehiler | Augusta | Commisioner, Maine Dept. of Marine Resources
Patrick Keliher has served as Commissioner of the Maine Department of Marine Resources since 2012, having previously served as Acting Commissioner since 2011. During his tenure at the Department Keliher has worked hard to reach out to the Department’s many and varied constituents to ensure an opportunity for broad input and feedback around Maine’s marine resources issues.
George Gervais | Augusta | Commisioner, Maine Economic & Community Development
George Gervais has been the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) since May 2011. In his capacity as leader, Gervais is charged with developing economic sectors, promoting new businesses, and growing existing businesses.