Seafood Task Force Appoints Two New Co-Chairs To Lead Board as it Expands into New Geographies - Jan '25
The Seafood Task Force (STF), a leading trade association driving supply chain transparency in global seafood, has strengthened its line up with the appointment of two new Co-Chairs. The STF was established in 2014 to restore global confidence to trade, following concerns about social and environmental abuse in global tuna and shrimp supply chains. It is made up of over 40 commercial members across seafood supply chain including retailers, brands, food service companies and their supply chain partners.
After a decade of service, the STF’s Chair, Ken Kimble, Vice President GMM - Corporate Foods at Costco Wholesale, is to step down and will be succeeded by both Sean Reber, Senior Director Supplier Development at Walmart and Supavadee Chotikajan, Global Human Rights Lead at Mars Petcare.
A 10-year Walmart associate, Sean Reber has worked in both direct import and supplier development for the company. Having served as an active member of STF’s Responsible Recruitment subcommittee, he has contributed to the development of recruitment guidelines and best practices in the seafood industry, implementation of worker protection measures across international supply chains and has enhanced STF’s visibility and influence within the global seafood community.
‘’I am honored to be appointed as co-Chair of the STF Board, where I hope my passion for transforming and improving global supply chains can be realised for the STF ”said Mr. Sean Reber. “The work that Ken undertook over the past 10 years is testament to where the STF is today, and I look forward to working alongside Khun Pink to implement strategy, continuous improvement and impact on the ground and on the water.”
Whilst Supavadee Chotikajan, known across the industry as Pink, has almost two decades of experience working in varied capacities including Mars Incorporated, the Royal Thai Government and UN system. She also has leadership and extensive project management experience through her work at Mars Petcare in the private sector, particularly on responsible recruitment in the seafood supply industry. Mars Petcare has been a member of the STF since 2016.
"I am excited to work with the STF to drive meaningful, industry-wide change,” said Ms. Supavadee Chotikajan. “I am looking forward to collaborating with him to deliver meaningful STF initiatives that can better improve transparency, human rights and environmental impacts within our industry.’
Commenting on both appointments, STF Executive Director, Martin Thurley said:
"First and foremost, I would like to thank Ken for a decade of incredible support. Ken was a founding member of STF and he has been instrumental in shaping the organization that we are today.
“The appointment of two new Co-Chairs signals an exciting new chapter for the STF and its vision of fully traceable, socially conscious and environmentally sustainable seafood supply chains. Both Pink and Sean are excellent leaders and problem solvers. They will help us to drive continuous improvement and support us to deliver impact on the ground and on the water.”
For media inquiries, please contact: stf@thephagroup.com
About the Seafood Task Force:
The STF drives supply chain oversight at scale, pioneering a pro-competitive approach that makes it easier for its members to meet international standards and growing due diligence requirements.
The STF is a US-based, not-for-profit trade association established for the seafood industry by the seafood industry. Its vision is a future where its members’ seafood supply chains are fully traceable, free from the risk of human rights violations and free from environmental degradation.
For more information: https://seafoodtaskforce.global/