BATON ROUGE- Today, Governor Bobby Jindal announced appointments to the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board. 

The Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board’s purpose is to help strengthen and revitalize the Louisiana seafood industry, to identify threats, and execute strategic plans to overcome them.

According to statute, the board is comprised of fourteen members, thirteen members appointed by the governor from persons engaged in the commercial seafood, crawfish, and alligator industry in Louisiana, and the fourteenth member to be the secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries or his designated representative, who shall serve as an ex officio nonvoting member. The names of the members appointed by the governor shall be submitted to the Senate for confirmation. 

Allen Gibson, of Dulac, is the Vice President of Tidelands Seafood Company and President of Driftwoods Farms. Gibson will be appointed to serve as a representative of the American Shrimp Processors Association, as required by statute. 

Larry Avery, of Sulphur, is the co-owner of Gulf Island Shrimp Seafood. Avery will be appointed to serve as a seafood processor, as required by statute.

Peter Totorich, of Mandeville, is the Senior Director of Perishables for the Associated Grocers, Inc. Totorich will be appointed to serve as a seafood buyer, nominated by the Louisiana Retailers Association, as required by statute.

Keith Watts, of Pontchatoula, is the owner of K.W. Crabbing LLC. Watts will be appointed to serve as representative of the Crab Task Force, as required by statute.

John Folse, of Gonzales, is the owner of Chef John Folse and Company. Chef Folse will be appointed to serve as a marketing specialist, as required by statute.

Tommy Stoddard, of Hackberry, is the owner of Louisiana Alligator Wholesaler, Inc. Stoddard will be appointed to serve as a representative of the alligator industry, as required by statute.

David Maginnis, of Houma, is the Vice President of Jensen Tuna. Maginnis will be appointed to serve as a representative of the commercial saltwater finfish industry, as required by statute.

Peter Sclafani, of Baton Rouge, is the owner and executive chef of Ruffino’s Restaurant. Sclafani will be appointed to serve as representative of the Louisiana Restaurant Association, as required by statute.

Sal Sunseri, of New Orleans, is the Vice President of P&J Oyster Company. Sunseri will be appointed to serve as a representative of the Louisiana Oyster Dealers & Growers Association, as required by statute.

Byron Despaux, of Barataria, is a commercial fisherman. Despaux will be appointed to serve as a representative of the Louisiana Shrimp Association, as required by statute.

Sherbin Collette, of Henderson, is the owner of Collette’s Seafood and the Mayor of Henderson. Mayor Collette will be appointed to serve as a representative of the wild catfish industry, as required by statute.

Frank Randol, of Lafayette, is the President of Randol, Inc. Randol will be appointed to serve as a representative of the crawfish industry, as required by statute.

 

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