Join a group of seasoned industry veterans for a candid look at the lessons, failures, and breakthroughs that shaped the aquaculture sector. This session bridges the generational gap, offering the next wave of professionals a rare opportunity to gain decades of perspective and practical wisdom

8:30 Grit, Senility, and Humor: The Make-up of a Coot

Dr. Kathleen Hartman, MS, DVM, Ph.D., M.O.U.S.E., Staff Veterinarian Kennebec River BioSciences

9:00 Bridging the Gap Between Industry & Aquaculture

Bill Mebane, Retired Aquatic Systems Engineer, Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory

9:30 Do No Harm

Paul Zajicek, Retired Executive Director, National Aquaculture Association

10:30 Aquaculture – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Dr. Mike Schwartz, Associate Director, Virginia Seafood AREC

11:00 My 35+ Years of Shrimp Experience Around the World

Rafael ZeLaya, Shrimp Man

11:30 A Splash of Courage and a Dash of Confidence – the Secret Ingredients

Jim Bowker, Retired coot from USFWS and Riverence

12:00 Aquaculture: Where it’s at, Where it’s going …. Looking Ahead

Jackie Zimmerman, North American Account Manager, Merck Animal Health

12:30 I’ll Follow you Anywhere

Sandra (Sandy) Malone, AST Bead filtration, HR Manager