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Courtesy of NAA:

Betsy Hart, longtime Executive Director of the National Aquaculture Association (NAA), announced her retirement effective April 1, and has accepted the role of advisor to the NAA. The NAA Board of Directors has appointed Mr. Paul Zajicek to serve as Executive Director.

The NAA Board of Directors expresses its tremendous gratitude to Ms. Hart for her 20 years of service, vision, and leadership. She has been a driving force in the development of the NAA and growth of the domestic aquaculture industry. Some of the challenging issues that she addressed through her diplomacy and networking skills included revision of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Effluent Guidelines for Concentrated Aquatic Animal Production, the initial appearance of Spring Viremia of Carp, removal of the Federal Order on Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia, and the development of Commercial Aquaculture Health Program Standards. During her tenure there has been significant expansion of member services and development of national programs that enable domestic aquaculture to thrive. She has been instrumental in developing outreach programs that educate the public about the domestic industry’s focus on safe, quality farmed products and its commitment to environmental stewardship ultimately delivering great value to today’s consumers. Ms. Hart has left a tremendous legacy that we are excited to capitalize on.

Mike Freeze, NAA President, commented, “Everyone loves Betsy, and she will be sorely missed by our members and by the NAA Board. Betsy took a small, young, upstart aquaculture organization and transformed it into the One Voice, One Industry that so many of us envisioned 25 years ago. Betsy has been instrumental in making NAA the organization that it is today!”

Mr. Zajicek assumes the role of Executive Director after serving as NAA Development Director for the past 16 months. Prior to his employment with the NAA, he worked for 27 years with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in agri-business development, marketing, and regulation.

The National Aquaculture Association is a non-profit, umbrella trade association representing major domestic aquaculture species and production systems. The NAA is committed to the continued growth of fish and shellfish farming in the US. For additional information about the NAA please call 850.216.2400, email naa@thenaa.net or visit http://thenaa.net/.