September 12, 2022

President of US-based seafood trade association to be honored at GSA's event in Washington, US

The president of US-based National Fisheries Institute (NFI), John Connelly, is a recipient of this year's Wallace R. Stevens Lifetime Achievement Award, and will be honored at the Global Seafood Alliance's GOAL 2022 conference in Seattle,Washington State, the United States, the  on October 4.

Connelly has been at the helm of the nonprofit seafood trade association since February 2003. NFI represents its members, who span the entire seafood supply chain, on Capitol Hill and beyond on matters that range from public policy to media relations and communications to public health and nutrition. Its members are committed to responsibly managed wild-capture fisheries and aquaculture as well as to a marketplace that supports free trade.

"For about a third of my life, I have enjoyed the privilege of working with and for NFI members," said Connelly. "It is humbling that GSA would recognise, through me, the efforts of the NFI leaders who sought to improve how fish are caught or farmed, to ensure their products are processed with integrity and safely, and to market their seafood with an increased focus on how American and other families want to enjoy their dishes."

"Twenty years ago when we searched for the next president of NFI, one candidate, John Connelly, stood out, and he was easily our recommendation to the full NFI board as Richard Gutting's successor," said GSA chair Wally Stevens, who served as NFI's chair in 2001. "Little did we know at that time of the impact John would have on NFI and the entire US seafood industry. However, maybe John's greatest impact was on each of us as an example of what leadership is all about. While John may leave the NFI stage, he will hopefully continue to influence our industry through teaching and public speaking."

GSA chief executive officer Brian Perkins said: "With GOAL being held in the United States for the first time in 13 years this year, it was only fitting to recognise one of the most influential individuals in the US seafood industry over the past 20 years. Through his leadership and integrity, John has made quite a mark on our sector, and we look forward to honoring him in Seattle on October 4."

In addition to his role at NFI, Connelly has served on the boards of the International Coalition of Fisheries Associations, Marine Stewardship Council, Allfish (a public-private partnership with the World Bank), International Seafood Sustainability Foundation, United States Department of Commerce Marine Fisheries Advisory Council, Seafood Industry Research Fund, University of Florida Institute for Sustainable Food Systems Global Leaders Aquatic Advisory Board, The Alliance For a Stronger FDA and FISH (Fairness, Integrity, Safety and Health) Standard for Crew.

This is the first time GSA has presented a Lifetime Achievement Award in three years, when John Galiher, founder and CEO of Preferred Freezer Services, and Brahmanandam Potru, founder and CEO of Devi Seafoods Ltd., were recognised at GOAL 2019 in Chennai, India.

- GSA