OUR TEAM
CO-FOUNDERS
JOTH DAVIS, PhD
Joth is a long-term, affiliate Professor at the University of Washington, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences (SAFS), where he co-advises MS and PhD students and collaborates with SAFS faculty on shellfish aquaculture-related research projects. Joth is also the owner of Baywater Shellfish Company, one of our shareholders, and co-owner of Hood Canal Mariculture, the only combined shellfish and seaweed farming company in Washington. Joth also serves as Senior Scientist with the Puget Sound Restoration Fund, is a member of the Board of Directors of the Pacific Research Institute, and is a long-term member and former President (2009-2011) of the National Shellfisheries Association. Joth earned a B.A. in Environmental Studies at Colby College, a Masters in Environmental Studies at Yale University and a Ph.D. in Fisheries Sciences from the University of Washington.
DENNIS HEDGECOCK
Dennis Hedgecock earned a B.S. in Biology magna cum laude from St. Mary’s College, California, in 1970, and a PhD in Genetics, from the University of California, Davis, in 1974. Following a 30-year career at UC Davis, Hedgecock completed another 16 years with the University of Southern California, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, where he is now the Paxson H. Offield Emeritus Professor in Fisheries Ecology. At USC, he served as Head of the Marine Environmental Biology Section, Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences, and Interim Divisional Dean for Natural Sciences and Mathematics in Dornsife College. Hedgecock has published over 140 scholarly articles on the genetics of fish and shellfish, is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, an Honored Life Member of the National Shellfisheries Association, and a member of several other scientific societies. He serves on the editorial boards of Aquaculture and the Journal of Shellfish Research.
LEADERSHIP
CARRIE FERRENCE
Carrie is an experienced start-up leader, focused on guiding high-functioning and mission-focused businesses through periods of change and growth. She has almost 30 years experience in entrepreneurship, organizational change, and stakeholder strategy. She is an Echoing Green Fellow and a PSBJ 40 Under 40. She’s also been cited in the NYTimes and invited to the White House to represent women-owned businesses.
JON KROMAN, JD
Jon has over 35 years of professional experience with organizational design, financing, business development and strategic relationships for new and growing businesses. From 1982 to 2010, Jon practiced law in the Seattle office of Garvey Schubert Barer. Since 2004, Jon’s work has focused on sustainability and included legal or consulting engagements for The Nature Conservancy and other nonprofit organizations, as well as mission-driven businesses. He is a co-owner of Hood Canal Mariculture and has been an investor as a member of E8, an angel investment organization focused exclusively on clean technology and sustainability, where he served as “deal lead” on a number of investments. Jon Kroman earned a B.A. in Anthropology with high honors from Michigan State University and a J.D. cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School, where he also served as a Note Editor of the Michigan Law Review.
FRANCIS PAN
JEREMY ESPOSITO
Jeremy leads Pacific Hybreed’s on-the-ground efforts as their director of hatchery operations. He’s been a farmer, business owner, hatchery manager, shucker, and aquaculture instructor in his 14 years in industry for both for-profit and restoration endeavors. Jeremy is excited to now be in a biz dev role, so he can connect with more farmers on their home turf.
STAFF
MELISSA DELLATORRE
Melissa is an aquaculture and marine biologist who has a fascination for understanding the genetics and physiology of marine organisms. She obtained a Master’s degree in Toxicology, examining molecular pathways in sturgeon, and a PhD analyzing strategies of resilience to environmental stressors in marine invertebrate larvae. Currently, Melissa is the Manager of Production and Genetics at Pacific Hybreed, where she leads research efforts aimed at improving the yield and sustainability of shellfish farming. In her free time, you can find Melissa exploring the coastlines of Hawaii, always on the lookout for new insights into the marine life she loves.
ALEXA ROMERSA
Alexa is the Hatchery Manager at Manchester and has extensive industry experience with Pacific Northwest seafood and commercial fisheries. She has an academic background in rocky shore ecology, aquaculture systems design, and crustacean bioenergetics. She has been with Pacific Hybreed since 2020 and continues to enjoy working at the intersection of industry and research.
AVERY LAU
Avery is the Algae Specialist for Pacific Hybreed in Kailua-Kona. He has nearly 10 years of experience in aquaculture, managing the aquaculture laboratory at the University of Hawaii, interning at the Oceanic Institute, and managing a commercial macroalgae farm on Oahu before moving to Kona and leading microalgae production at the Cyanotech corporation. His career mission is to contribute toward innovative technologies that aid in increasing the responsible production of unsustainable resources.
SARAH HAMAL
Sarah is the Hatchery Production Manager at Manchester, and graduated from the University of Northern Arizona with a B.S in Biology and Minor in Chemistry. She has been a licensed scuba diver for over 10 years. Sarah grew up on the Olympic Peninsula, also enjoys gardening, and has a deeply rooted passion and interest for what’s beneath the surface.
GABE FRADIS
Gabe is a Senior Technician at Pacific Hybreed’s Kailua-Kona hatchery. Gabe has extensive experience raising oysters through his lab and field work with New York City’s Billion Oyster Project, leading students, teachers, and community members in the restoration of oyster populations in New York Harbor. He has studied aquaculture and has a degree in biology from the City University of New York. In his free time, Gabe can be found at one of his many favorite fishing spots, rooting for the New York Mets, or playing basketball with friends
OLIVIA CARLSON
New England raised-oysters found Olivia back in twenty eighteen when she began farming in Duxbury Bay. There has been no looking back as oysters have continued to follow her around ever since then. Or maybe she is following them around. Regardless, after farming in Massachusetts, Maine, the Puget Sound in Washington, and Mahurangi Harbour of New Zealand the journey continues here in Hawaii. At Pacific Hybreed Hatchery, she is now training to be an oyster doula. When not immersed in the aquaculture world you can find her outside playing, harvesting shellfish, and foraging for anything she can eat.
RACHAEL TAYLOR
Rachael is a Senior Hatchery Technician at Kailua-Kona. She graduated with a First Class Honors BSc in Marine Biology with Oceanography at the University of Southampton, UK. She gained her oyster farm experience as the Farm Tour Director & Algae Technician at The Carlsbad Aquafarm, Southern California. Rachael is passionate about outreach education and food security in an ever-changing climate. When she’s not at work you’ll find her surfing, hiking or exploring the Big Island of Hawai’i.
JAMIE LAU
Jamie is a Technician at Pacific Hybreed’s hatchery in Kailua-Kona. Jamie developed an interest in sustainable aquaculture after spending a summer conducting research and raising oysters at Wolfe’s Neck Oyster Farm off of Casco Bay, where she assisted in all aspects of oyster husbandry, from nursery to farm maintenance. She studied Marine Biology and English at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. Outside of work, Jamie can be found surfing, running, and playing soccer.
KLOIE KUGLER
OPERATIONS SUPPORT
ROBIN LANCASTER
Robin is the Chief Financial Officer of Pacific Hybreed and has been with the company since 2018. As owner of Daisy Creek Accounting Solutions, Robin has gained extensive experience helping startups establish their finance departments from the outset. She creates and implements internal control policies and manages budgets to align with companies’ strategic goals. Robin grew up on the beaches in Florida and loves all things marine life. She has been captivated by the magic of the Puget Sound since moving to the PNW in 1995.
