The Seafood Harvesters of America announced Monday that Kevin Wheeler of Arlington, Va., will join the organization as its executive director.  

“I am truly honored to have been chosen to lead and provide a unified voice for the Seafood Harvesters at this most critical time, given the political transition occurring in Washington coupled with a rapidly changing ocean environment,” said Wheeler.  “Together we will champion accountability, responsibility and innovation throughout our industry to ensure that future generations will have healthy, robust and sustainable fisheries to harvest.”  

Wheeler previously worked as vice president and director of public affairs at the Consortium for Ocean Leadership for ten years, where he was responsible for developing, advocating for and implementing ocean research priorities on behalf of more than 100 of the nation’s leading ocean research and educational institutions. In that role, he served as the primary liaison between the ocean science community and Congress, the executive branch, federal agencies and NGOs. 

Wheeler has also held the position of director of federal relations for Brown University, worked on the Science Committee for the U.S. House of Representatives, served as the special assistant to the director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and  worked as press secretary and legislative assistant to former Congressman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY).

Wheeler holds advanced degrees in environmental management and public administration from Duke and Binghamton Universities, respectively. 

“Our organization is at an exciting growth stage and we really wanted to get this hire right,” said Seafood Harvesters President Christopher Brown. “Kevin is extremely well prepared to take our members to a new level of engagement and influence at the federal level.  His management experience, his Capitol Hill committee and staff work, and his years at Ocean Leadership are great preparation, and we could not be happier about welcoming him on board.”