About

Vice President, Human Resources, Corporate Operations and Events

Andra M. Athos

At Fishing Partnership, I oversee human resources, leading the effort to recruit the best talent and team to grow and expand our mission to improve the lives of commercial fishermen. I organize training, ensuring a smooth transition for each new hire. Work is a joy for me because at Fishing Partnership, we have the most talented and dedicated team of professionals. Another area of focus I handle is event management, which includes fundraising and representing Fishing Partnership at industry trade shows. What I love most about my job is that I get to lead in a role where I help bring critical, life-saving resources directly to the dock to deserving fishing communities.

Favorite Seafood Dish
“Sole Piccata, Sole Florentine, Sole Meuniere…I love it all!”

President, CEO and Founder

J.J. Bartlett

I founded Fishing Partnership in 1996 because I love serving the men and women who risk their lives every day to feed our nation. I am passionate about promoting health equity among all workers and at Fishing Partnership, lead the senior staff in our mission to advance the health, safety and economic security of fishermen and their families. Under the supervision of our board of directors, I am responsible for the development and implementation of our annual work plan. I am also chief liaison with other organizations, such as fishing associations, health insurance companies, provider organizations, and government agencies.

Favorite Seafood Dish
“I love any fresh seafood!”

Vice President of Research and Evaluation

Gretchen Biesecker

I design and lead Fishing Partnership’s approaches to studying the impact of our programs. I get to apply my background as a psychologist and researcher, working with a range of non-profits, to help Fishing Partnership use a range of data and research to learn and improve. Working closely with all departments and collaborators from universities and peer organizations, we collect data that sparks innovation, helps us monitor our progress toward goals, and tells the story of our work. I love the people I get to work with at Fishing Partnership and how evaluation is central to advancing the organization’s program development in support of fishing communities.

Favorite Seafood Dish
“Grilled striped bass, oysters and seafood stews”

Safety Training Program Coordinator

Luis Catala

I plan and coordinate all Fishing Partnership safety training courses. My job includes communications with our Safety Instructors and coordinating training classes and events with facilities and venues throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. For every training course, there is a notable amount of literature, materials, supplies and gear that we prepare for fishermen taking our programs. I am the person that manages those moving parts. Fishing Partnership is constantly focused on improving our courses and services, so I spend equal time listening to feedback from fishermen so I can improve course material and training delivery methods. At Fishing Partnership trainings, I enjoy greeting our fishermen guests and help to host their training day. What inspires me most about my role is that I help fishermen reduce the inherent risks and dangers in their jobs so they can more safely make a living at sea.

Favorite Seafood Dish
“My recipe for Criollo Style Seafood Stew with tostones and mojo sauce on the side.”

Assistant to the Director of Projects and Grant Administration

Liz Garofalo

I support projects, the donation process and assist with grant administration at Fishing Partnership. Providing resources to deliver projects on time and beyond expectation is my passion. I also support the grant administration process. Fishing Partnership’s mission to improve the lives of fishing families is close to my heart. As a child my parents would take me to Point Judith where we would walk the docks to watch the fishing boats return from a day at sea. Even though I’ve never fished a day in my life, I have so much gratitude for the fishermen that feed us.

Favorite Seafood Dish
“It’s a toss up between cod baked with a drizzle of lemon, olive oil and fresh dill or the fantastic fried fish sandwich at Twin Willows in Narragansett.”

Director of Projects and Grant Administration

Elisabeth L. Karotkin

I joined Fishing Partnership in 2017 and was recently promoted to my present position – a new position created in response to the volume of projects and grants we manage. Projects require collaboration and oversight to meet benchmarks, and grants require similar attention to be sure we are administering them properly. It’s both challenging and rewarding work! It’s great serving an organization that does work that I am proud of. My job is different every day; varied and interesting. And the people I work with are inspiring and dedicated!

Favorite Seafood Dish
“Bluefish and salmon cooked on a grill.”

Vice President, Community Health

Lauren King

I work closely with our Navigator team to help fishing families access health and wellness programs, including enrolling fishermen, their families and community members in health insurance. I also work with our evaluation team to track Fishing Partnership’s community work in order to highlight the successes of each Port Town Fishing Partnership office. Because of our stellar Navigator team, we have established an incredible connection with local fishing communities. While attending events with our Navigators, I get to meet and know the fishermen and their families. I never cease to be in awe of the hard work of fishermen and their willingness to risk their lives to feed us.

Favorite Seafood Dish
“I never turn down mussels.”

Vice President, Marketing and Communications

Ann Manion

I’m responsible for the strategic design, implementation and management of a wide range of digital, print and media programs that improve the health, safety and economic security of commercial fishing families. My background in marketing, branding and innovation helps me to reach new audiences with messages and real observations that increases understanding for the men and women who risk their lives every day to feed our nation. What I love about my role is the daily collaboration I have with Navigators who inform my priorities, the support of staff who rely on me for communicating their big ideas and programs to the world, and the grace I experience each time a fisherman trustfully shares his or her story with me on how Fishing Partnership has improved or saved their life.

Favorite Seafood Dish
“Matunuck Oyster Bar’s Pond to Plate Fried Oysters with Remoulade Sauce.”

Vice President, Chief Operations Officer

Dan Orchard

Prior to joining Fishing Partnership, I served as Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Coast Guard for 16 years. Today, I lead and support the safety training division of Fishing Partnership. Demand for safety training has never been greater for commercial fishermen. Fishing Partnership is answering the call and expanding the reach of our programs to ports as far North as Maine and as far South as the Carolinas. Working with leaders in the fishing community to explore more ways to improve the health, safety and economic security of fishing families is a big focus in my work. The best part of my job is seeing the appreciation fishermen have for the programs and services delivered by our dedicated Navigators and Safety Instructors.

Favorite Seafood Dish
“Calamari–Fried, Baked, Sautéed… it doesn’t matter how”

Evaluation Manager

Krista Pelletier

I monitor and evaluate Fishing Partnership programs and services to ensure their maximum value for fishing communities. Analyzing data and reporting findings to the team is a big part of my job. Others rely on me to help interpret what the numbers are showing in terms of the specific ways we can advance our programs further. Working closely with our Navigators to set and exceed ambitious goals and milestones is gratifying work and transports me from the daily database management and into the field where I see first-hand the positive impact of our work on fishermen’s lives. At our annual celebratory staff meeting, the Fishing Partnership team gathers in Boston’s North End where we eat delicious seafood together on Boston’s waterfront. It’s always a special night.

Vice President, Public Health Policy

Heidi Sulman

My background as a researcher and academician specializing in public health, public policy and behavioral health serves me in my role at Fishing Partnership as the non-profit’s policy and public health expert. I work closely with our president J.J. Bartlett on our collective impact work and am helping fulfill our mission to create a fishing industry for the 21st century that is healthy, safe and economically sound. The team at Fishing Partnership is inspiring, committed, passionate and kind. The best part of my job is having a hands-on role that positively impacts fishermen’s lives and also having a role that is constantly engaging, varied and meaningful.

Favorite Seafood Dish
“Freshly caught and grilled striped bass or tuna from the Cape’s Cataumet Fish Market.”

Manager of Office and Facilities

Thom Walters

I am the office administrator in Fishing Partnership’s Burlington headquarters where I also support our port offices located in Gloucester, New Bedford, Plymouth and Chatham. I take pride in keeping things running efficiently and handle the centralized ordering system of supplies, serving as point person for vendors. I also manage the payroll and lend hands-on support at Fishing Partnership events, including our safety training classes. Working closely with the evaluation team, I help ensure the integrity of our data collection methods too. What I love about my job is the energy I experience when harborside at a Fishing Partnership event. There I meet hundreds of people and see first-hand the impact of our mission improving the lives of fishermen and their families.

Favorite Seafood Dish
“Spanish Paella, the first time I had it was in Capri, Italy.”

Fisheries Economist

Josh Wiersma

My first experience fishing off the coast of Washington for king salmon sparked my interest to pursue a career in fishery economics. At Fishing Partnership I am responsible for economic and policy analysis for the seafood industry. I work on a variety of fronts including seafood market development, workforce training and development and infrastructure improvement including fishing vessel modernization. The best part of my job is when we are notified of a successful grant award. When I’m not working you’ll find me enjoying time with my wife and daughters or pursuing other interests that include oil painting, writing and yoga.

Favorite Seafood Dish
“Homemade Atlantic Pollock Fish Tacos with Cabbage Apple Slaw.”