Association Of Seafood Producers Names New Executive Director
ST. JOHN’S — The Association of Seafood Producers has named Jeff Loder its new executive director.
Loder takes over for Derek Butler, who headed the organization for 19 years and stepped down in late 2022.
Paul Grant the Association of Seafood Producers’ board chair, said in a news release that Loder’s international trade experience “will be an outstanding asset” for the organization.
“His extensive background in negotiations and his passion for advocating on behalf of the Newfoundland and Labrador fishery will position him to lead the association into the future,” Butler said.
Until early this year, Loder had been working as the director of public affairs for the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association of Canada.
Before entering the private sector in 2021, Lodar spent more than a decade in public service for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, mostly in trade-related jobs.
Notably, he helped negotiate duty-free access for Newfoundland and Labrador seafood in the European and other international markets.
“It is a privilege to be given the opportunity to contribute to the fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador and to represent seafood producers. I look forward to working with all members to tackle the challenges ahead and collaborating with industry stakeholders to grow our industry,” Loder said in a news release.
Loder is also a lecturer at Memorial University, where he has been teaching for more than 15 years in the political science department.