Board of Directors

Every ship needs a good captain.

These are the men and women plotting our course to a vibrant fishing future. 

Joe Nickerson
Chairman

Executive Committee, Policy Committee

(F/V Hayley Ann) Joe fishes out of Kennebunk, Maine. He fishes in the inshore Gulf of Maine and is an advocate for workable management that ensures a future for the fishery. Joe serves on the advisory panel for the marine resources advisory council at the Maine State Department of Marine Resources. He also enjoys sport fishing in Florida. Joe fishes for groundfish, lobster, and elvers.

Alex Todd

Vice-Chairman

 Policy Committee

(F/V Jacob & Joshua) Alex is a 10th generation fishermen from Chebeague Island, ME. Alex fishes for
scallop, lobster, menhaden, and hopes to one day be able to use his groundfish permit again. Alex
serves as the Chair of the Maine State Scallop Advisory Panel and is actively involved in the work to
build a sustainable scallop fishery in the Gulf of Maine.

Andrew Kraus

Secretary 

Development Committee

Andrew works in Portland where he is an attorney for Opticliff Law focusing on issues facing Maine's businesses. Prior to moving to Maine, Andrew spent several years focusing on fisheries regulation and maritime law issues including Menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay area.

Lee Walker

Treasurer

Finance Committee

Lee lives in Harpswell, Maine where he runs his own accounting practice. Lee spends as much time on the water as possible and uses his background to help keep Maine’s waterfront working for everyone.

 (F/V Safe Haven) Bryan Bichrest is a second-generation fisherman out of Cundy’s Harbor in Harpswell, Maine. Bryan fishes for groundfish, shrimp, lobster, swordfish, and tuna. 

Bryan Bichrest

Policy Committee

Randy Cushman

Policy Committee

 (F/V Ella Christine) Randy is a fourth generation groundfish fisherman from Port Clyde Maine and a founding member of the Maine Coast Fishermen's Association. Randy fishes for groundfish and shrimp and has been one of the most active fishermen in Maine advancing the use of Electronic Monitoring. 

Kate Curran

Finance Committee

Kate lives in Portland, ME and works for Coastal Enterprises Inc where she helps lead their women's Business Center. While an active member of Maine’s small businesses and start-up community, her true passion is on the water where Kate is an avid recreational fisherman.

Kevin Lipson

Policy Committee

Kevin Lipson spends his summers on Huppers Island, ME. As a partner at the Hogan Lovells US LLP in Washington D.C., Kevin has worked with the Maine fishing industry to help alleviate overly-burdensome regulations on the industry.

Gerry Cushman

Policy Committee

(F/V Bug Catcha) Gerry is a lifelong resident of Port Clyde, Maine and remains a tireless advocate for keeping community-based fishermen on the water with viable fishing businesses. His father was a groundfish fisherman, and Gerry is committed to having a healthy Gulf of Maine ecosystem and a healthy fishing fleet in the future. You can find Gerry fishing for lobster most days of the year.

Ben McKinney

Committee

Ben was born and raised in Southern Maine. After living out West for school and work, his love of New England brought him home. As a partner at Luke’s Lobster, he is focused on processing, sourcing, and helping co-ops and coastal communities’ diversity their fisheries. Ben serves on the Lobster Institute Advisory Board and is committed to keeping the Gulf of Maine sustainable and healthy for all fishermen.

David Schwartz

Finance Committee

David's family has deep roots in  Maine's fisheries. His grandfather was an innovator within herring canning industry which, at one point, was one of the most valuable fisheries in Maine.  David currently is the Chairman, CEO and founder of FCE Group out of New York 

Jamieson Webking

Development Committee

Jamieson lives in Portland, and is involved in various initiatives to expand Maine's entrepreneurial ecosystem. He has a passion for all things ocean related and aims to use his background in technology, marketing, and project management to contribute to sustaining, rebuilding and protecting our fishing communities and the natural resources in the Gulf of Maine.