Leadership Team
David Reggiani, Managing Senior Partner and Aquaculture Consultant
Qualifications
Dave retired after 29 years supporting operations and management of remote salmon hatcheries in Prince William Sound, Alaska producing all five species of Pacific salmon for all user groups.
He served 12 years in government elected and appointed positions. Dave is an excellent communicator and is very comfortable making public presentations, talking to government leaders and legislators, and testifying before legislative committees.
Dave’s approach to each project is efficiency combined with collaborative problem solving. He enjoys the challenge of each project and especially enjoys organizing and managing large projects.
Education
Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
Bachelor of Science, Fisheries Science, 1989
Areas of Expertise
- Leadership
- Strategic Program Planning
- Corporate Financial Management
- Government and Public Relations
- Operations Management
- Human Resource Management
- Construction Project Management
- Large-scale Production Salmon Aquaculture Techniques
- Salmon Fisheries Management
- Data Management
- Governmental Permitting and Compliance Program Development
Licenses
- Alaska General Contractor with Residential Contractor Endorsement
License #130030 FireweedAK Construction LLC - Alaska Residential Contractor Endorsement
License #130031 Residential Contractor Endorsement
Chris Mitchell, Senior Partner and Aquaculture Consultant
Qualifications
Chris spent 27 years managing and supporting operations of multiple large-scale production salmon hatcheries in remote Prince William Sound, Alaska. The last 16 years she managed the support functions (procurement, logistics, and safety) for the remote hatcheries.
While in college, she spent time volunteering with a rural fire department where she gained vast knowledge in the safety areas. She served on the ambulance crew as an EMT-2, operated the fire trucks and received her state certifications in fire fighter basic and Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER). She has maintained this interest in the safety area, and has put it to use within the hatchery systems setting up safety programs, as well as assisting the workers’ compensation insurance loss control inspections.
Supply chain management, specifically logistics, is her other interest and she enjoys researching and securing the best methods for moving freight into remote locations, no matter the size or the item needing to be moved.
Education
Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
Bachelor of Science, Fisheries Science, 1989
Areas of Expertise
- Leadership
- Hatchery Management
- Vendor and Public Relations
- Logistics Specialist
- Large-scale Production Salmon Aquaculture Techniques
- Small Public Water Systems
- Safety and Workers' Compensation Insurance Loss Control Policies
- Procurement Policies and Procedures
- Electro-anesthesia and Remote Egg take Specialist
- Remote Hatchery Commissary Program Management
- HACCP and ADEC Quality Control Rooms
Awards/Certificates
- Oregon State Firefighter B (Basic)
- Oregon State HAZWOPER certification
- Oregon State EMT 2
- Alaska State Emergency Trauma Technician
- NAUI Certified Scuba Diver
- Forklift Certified Operator
- OSHA Standards and Principles Seminar
Chris Kelley, Junior Partner and Aquaculture Consultant
Qualifications
Chris has experience managing several of Alaska’s largest salmon hatcheries, producing all five species while spanning much of the state: Southeast, Prince William Sound, and Interior.
With his diverse experience, Chris’s primary interest lies in finding the best fish culture practices and logistics for each facility. Every hatchery has its own unique set of variables and he enjoys the challenges and problem solving that comes with each one.
Specifically, Chris thrives in the day-to-day fish culture management setting. He prides himself on being a good leader and coach, taking a good attitude and ground-up approach to any project he is on.
Education
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
Bachelor of Science, Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology (Aquatic Science Concentration), 2013
Areas of Expertise
- Leadership
- Salmon Hatchery Operation Management
- Large-scale Production Salmon Aquaculture Techniques
- Diverse Salmon Hatchery Experience
- Data Management
Awards/Certificates
- PADI Certified Scuba Diver
- Forklift Certified Operator
- Alaska State Emergency Trauma Technician
- FAA Certified UAV Drone Pilot
Gary Martinek, Senior Associate and Aquaculture Consultant
Qualifications
Gary recently retired after 38 years of dedicated service at the Gulkana Hatchery. He served as the Hatchery’s Manager for 24 years perhaps setting the longevity record for Hatchery Managers in Alaska.
The Gulkana Hatchery is located 260 miles from the Gulf of Alaska at the base of the Alaska Range, near the headwaters of the Gulkana River. From 1973 to 1980 the hatchery capacity expanded yearly, while continuing to focus on research in sockeye culture and incubator design. During this time, user group demand continued to escalate, while natural production declined. In 1980, with 20 incubators in operation, the emphasis moved from research to production. By 1984, Gulkana became the largest sockeye fry production facility worldwide, with egg takes of 26 million. The annual average adult salmon return is 250,000 sockeye salmon.
Education
Santa Ana College, Santa Ana, California
Biology coursework, 1972-1974
Areas of Expertise
- Leadership
- Salmon Hatchery Operation Management
- Human Resource Management
- Large-scale Production Salmon Aquaculture Techniques
- Construction Project Management
- Sockeye Salmon Egg Take Protocols
- Government and Public Relations
Awards/Certificates
- NAUI Certified Scuba Diver
- Mountain Safety Rescue
- Swift Water Rescue
- Alaska State Emergency Trauma Technician
- Alaska State Flagger, Traffic Control Technician
Kristin Bates, Senior Associate and Aquaculture Consultant
Qualifications
Born and raised in Alaska, Kristin has made a career out of managing Alaska’s salmon hatchery programs. Kristin has a strong background working with large-scale aquaculture in Prince William Sound, Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, and in Washington State. Her experience spans all five species of Pacific salmon and steelhead trout.
Everyone has favorites, and in the fisheries field, Kristin finds pathology and fish health to be the most rewarding component. She spent five years managing a complex sockeye salmon facility where bio-security was the key to success. Kristin enjoys meticulous fish culture, finding innovative ways to solve problems, and updating aging infrastructure with new equipment and design. Whether pump-driven or gravity-fed water supply, Kristin’s experience makes her an asset to those needing a keen eye in hatchery operation management.
Building a strong, dependable work team in a hatchery setting is a big focus for Kristin. Employee development, workforce efficiencies, and achieving company goals are important areas where Kristin offers empathy, encouragement, and training. She works hard to be a strong role model to her employees, builds respect and trust through hard work, and always celebrates achievements as a team. Her leadership skills and personnel experience make her a wonderful addition to any project.
Education
University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
Bachelor of Science, Fishery Resources, 2009
Bachelor of Science, Wildlife Resources, 2009
University of Phoenix, Tempe, Arizona
Master of Business Administration, 2017
Areas of Expertise
- Leadership
- Salmon Hatchery Operation Management
- Large-scale Production Salmon Aquaculture Techniques
- Sockeye Salmon Fish Culture Protocols
- Hatchery Water System Design and Operation Management
- Remote Fish Transportation via Aircraft, Boat, Tank, or Truck
- Fish Health Management
- Education and Outreach Program Design and Implementation
Awards/Certificates
- American Red Cross - First Aid/CPR
- Heavy Equipment & Skiff Operator
- Scientific Integrity - USFWS
Alexa Kelley, Junior Associate and Aquaculture Consultant
Qualifications
Alexa has experience leading various teams within Alaska's large-scale salmon aquaculture operations rearing all five species of Pacific salmon in Prince William Sound and Southeast Alaska. She especially enjoys working with Chinook and coho salmon long-term freshwater rearing programs including disease mitigation. With NOAA, Alexa conducted research on Chinook salmon returns to support the Pacific Salmon Treaty leading coded-wire tagging efforts.
Beyond fish, she worked as a production manager for an Alaskan-owned bull kelp business and worked in support of Alaska Native Regional Corporations during legislative sessions in Juneau.
Every remote work environment comes with new and changing challenges to address which continue to keep it interesting for her.
Education
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, Mansfield, Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Science, General Biology, 2014
Areas of Expertise
- Leadership
- Large-scale Production Salmon Aquaculture Techniques
- Chinook and Coho Salmon Program Development
- Fish Health Management
- Salmon Migration Enumeration Operations (Weirs and Smolt Traps)
- Government and Public Relations
- Data Management
Awards/Certificates
- Alaska State HAZWOPER Certification
- Onboard Drill Instructor: (ALMSEA-334) 10hr USCG accepted safety drill leader for commercial fishing vessels training by Alaska Marine safety Education Association
- Alaska State Emergency Trauma Technician