© Atlantic Sea Farms
However, Briana Warner, who has served as CEO for the past five years, has decided to step into a new role as a strategic advisor, while Mikel Durham, an experienced seafood industry executive and current Atlantic Sea Farms board member, will assume the role of interim CEO from the end of January.
Durham has held leadership positions with major food companies such as Pepsico, CSM Bakery Solutions, and served as CEO of Alaska’s leading pollock harvester, American Seafoods. She has served on the board of Tyson and currently sits on the board of Yum China – China’s largest restaurant group – as well as the Marine Stewardship Council. Along with her experience in brand building and market development, Durham brings a passion for Atlantic Sea Farms’ mission and the positive impact that kelp farming can have on American consumers and coastal communities.
Warner, who has served as CEO since 2018, has been instrumental in Atlantic Sea Farms’ growth, overseeing the expansion of its seaweed farming operations from just two farmers producing 30,000 pounds of seaweed, to a network of 40 partner farmers growing over 1.3 million pounds during 2024’s harvest season. Under her leadership, the company has become the country top producer and introduced innovative seaweed-based products that are now available in over 4,000 retailers nationwide in addition to high-profile, high-volume ingredient and food service partnerships.
“It has been an incredible privilege to work alongside the committed and talented team of partner farmers and staff at Atlantic Sea Farms. I couldn’t be more proud of the way that we have grown a truly mission-driven company focused on putting people, planet, and farmers first, ” said Warner in a press release.
“We have created and developed a unique company with a strong and sustainable value proposition. I am thrilled to remain engaged in an advisory role and couldn’t be more excited to have Mikel at the helm for this next phase of Atlantic Sea Farms’ growth,” she added.
“I have been following the successes of Atlantic Sea Farms and its team for many years and sitting on the board for over six months. This is an extraordinary model pioneering ocean farming, seed research and market demand development. It is an honour to support the team and shareholders through this transition,” said Durham.
The leadership transition comes after Atlantic Sea Farms’ successful $3.8 million equity raise, with support from mission-driven investors including True Wealth Ventures, Third Nature Investors, and Builders Bridge, among others.
“This funding will continue to help us build momentum and amplify our positive impact and returns,” said Durham.
