Keynote Speakers
Dr. Ken Riley
Science Advisor, NOAA
Dr. Ken Riley is the science advisor for the Office of Aquaculture. He is a distinguished aquaculture scientist and interdisciplinary marine ecologist. Before taking on his current role, Ken worked with NOAA’s National Ocean Service where his research focused on developing analytical tools and modeling applications used for siting aquaculture operations. Over the past 25 years, Ken has worked around the world to advance marine aquaculture technology. Before working for NOAA, Ken was the director of aquaculture education and a research scientist at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution. He has worked in many different sectors of industry, academia, and non-governmental organizations. Ken holds a doctorate in Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences from East Carolina University, a master’s degree in Aquaculture and Fisheries from Louisiana State University, and a bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology and Science Education from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Bob Rheault
Executive Director, East Coast Shellfish Growers Association
Bob “Skid” Rheault started Moonstone Oysters in Narragansett, RI in 1986. He has a Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography and is an adjunct professor in the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Veterinary Science at URI. He served as ECSGA President for five years before he sold his farm and took on the Executive Director position in 2008. Bob is a passionate industry advocate, carrying the message of sustainable seafood and economic development to our elected representatives and agency leaders in Washington, D.C. He is also active at the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC), where he has been effective in pushing for workable regulations. His educational efforts on Vibrio management issues have earned him the moniker, “the Vibrio Evangelist.” Bob’s research interests include documenting and assigning value to the environmental services provided by shellfish aquaculture, and implementing nutrient-credit trading as a means to mitigate coastal eutrophication. He holds a design patent for a novel floating upweller design and is a recipient of the National Shellfisheries Association’s Wallace Award.
Presenters
Md Shah Alam
Research Assoc. Professor
UNCW
Pete Anderson
Agribusiness Dev. & Aquaculture Consultant
N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
Russell Borski
Professor, Dept. of Biological Sciences
NC State University
Patrick Carroll
Research Specialist
UNCW
David Cerino
Director, Aquaculture Research and Development
Carteret Community College
Alex Chouljenko
Assistant Professor, Seafood Science
NC State University
James Davis
Price Support and Operations Program Chief
USDA Farm Service Agency
Mike Frinsko
Aquaculture Extension Agent
NC State University
Adam Fuller
Research Geneticist
US Department of Agriculture
Nick Green
Project Manager
NC Coastal Federation
Steve Hall
Director, Marine Aquaculture Research Center
NC State University
Zach Harrison
Habitat & Enhancement Section Chief
NC Division of Marine Fisheries
Eric Herbst
Coastal Aquaculture Specialist
NC Sea Grant
Tal Ben-Horin
Asst. Professor, Shellfish Pathology
NC State University
Laura Kilian
Associate
State Legislative Director
NC Farm Bureau
Keith Larick
Natural Resources Director
North Carolina Farm Bureau
Thomas McLamb
USDA
Barry Nash
Extension Assoc.
NC Sea Grant
Ben Reading
Associate Professor, Applied Ecology
NC State University
Ami Wilbur
Shellfish Research Hatchery Director
UNCW
Valerie Wunderly
Environmental Specialist, Division of Marine Fisheries
NC Department of Environmental Quality