Our Leadership

CDFU is governed by a Board of Directors with rotating 2-year term seats elected annually by its membership. Directors are experienced commercial fishermen from Prince William Sound communities, and dedicated board seats represent different gear groups.

Core to CDFU mission is the goal to see all PWS fishermen and fisheries thrive. Because of this there is one rule at the board table that guides how we build consensus for organizational decisions: CDFU is non-allocative. Board-led committees tackle gear-group and fisheries specific issues with membership, reporting up to the full Board of Directors and requesting action as necessary.

The Board is supported by staff in Cordova, Anchorage, and also Juneau during the Legislative Session. 

 

The Board of Directors

  • Ezekiel Brown

    President
    Seine and Shellfish Fisherman | F/V Lucid Dream

  • Dennis Zadra

    First Vice President
    Drift Gillnet Fisherman | F/V Raging Bull

  • Michael Hand

    Second Vice President
    Seine Fisherman | F/V Seaview

  • Hayley Fleming

    Treasurer
    Drift Gillnet Fisherman | F/V Nellie Juan

  • Steven Swartzbart

    Director At Large
    Drift Gillnet Fisherman | F/V Alpine

  • Darin Gilman

    Drift Gillnet Seat
    Drift Gillnet and Groundfish Fisherman | F/V Redline

  • phyllis Shirron

    Drift Gillnet Seat
    Drift Gillnet Fisherman | F/V Cape Fear

  • Forest Jenkins

    Setnet Seat
    Eshamy District

  • Jeff Bailey

    Seine Seat
    Drift Gillnet and Seine Fisherman F/V Odyssey and F/V Miss Margeaux

  • Makena O'Toole

    Groundfish/Shellfish Seat
    Groundfish, Crab, Shrimp, Seine and Drift Gillnet Fisherman | F/V Freyja Dawn

  • Marc Carrel

    Groundfish/Shellfish Seat
    Drift Gillnet and Groundfish Fisherman | F/V Silver Moon

  • Ron Blake

    Herring Seat
    Herring Fisherman | F/V Ace

Email the board of Directors

Board nominations are open year round, and close the end of August. Ballots are released in September, with new board members seated at the October meeting.

The CDFU Board of Directors meets monthly October - May in the CDFU office and on videoconference. CDFU members are welcome to attend. There is a standing agenda item for member comment.

Staff

  • Jess Rude

    Executive Director

    Jess joined CDFU with 20 years of non-profit experience focused on creating livable Alaska communities. She is based in Anchorage.

    Contact

  • Kelsey Hayden

    Program Manager and SERVS Fishing Vessel Administrator

    Kelsey has been supporting fishermen from the Union Hall office in Cordova since 2011. She is a lifelong Cordovan with family ties in Valdez.

    Contact

Join the team

CDFU is hiring for the SERVS Tier 3 Administrator Position. The Tier 3 Administrator (T3A) is responsible for coordinating third level response activities and maintaining fishermen records for SERVS.This position is up to 10 hours a month, plus additional hours during SERVS training in April and September. Read more below.