Atlantic Sapphire is led by aquaculture experts from around the world
Johan Emil Andreassen
Chairman and Co-Founder,
CEO of Atlantic Sapphire USA LLC
Johan E. Andreassen is a Co-Founder of Atlantic Sapphire, has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors since 2010, and serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Atlantic Sapphire USA LLC. Mr. Andreassen has served as the Group’s Chief Executive Officer from 2010 to 2012, and from 2017 to 2020. Prior to founding the Atlantic Sapphire, Mr. Andreassen founded and led Villa Organic, a 30,000-ton capacity conventional salmon farming company, which was subsequently sold to Lerøy and SalMar in 2010.
Damien Claire
Chief Sales
and Marketing Officer
Damien Claire is the Group’s Chief Sales and Marketing Officer. Prior to joining Atlantic Sapphire, Mr. Claire was the President of Platina Seafood, Inc. Mr. Claire’s experience includes positions in several industries around the world. From 2009 to 2014, he served as Sales/Analyst for South Pacific Specialties in Miami. From 2004 to 2008 he also acted as Vice President of Business Development for Global Outsourcing in Chile. Damien earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and Business Administration from Lander University in South Carolina.
Jon-Birger Løvik
Chief Operating Officer
Jon-Birger Løvik is the Group’s Chief Operating Officer and was formerly Atlantic Sapphire’s Director of Aqua Technology and Deputy COO until he was appointed COO in March 2022. Mr. Løvik also held the position as Managing Director of Atlantic Sapphire Denmark A/S from June 2015 to December 2018. Mr. Løvik has significant experience in the salmon farming industry and the broader seafood industry. Prior to joining Atlantic Sapphire, Mr. Løvik previously worked as a Production Manager in Villa Organic, a 30,000-ton capacity conventional salmon farming company. Mr. Løvik is also an advisor to the Norwegian salmon smolt facility Hjelvik Settefisk.
Karl Øystein Øyehaug
Chief Financing Officer
and Managing Director of ASA
Karl Øystein Øyehaug is the Group’s Chief Financing Officer and Managing Director of ASA. Mr. Øyehaug was hired as the Group’s Finance Director in 2018 and was elected as Managing Director of ASA at the time of conversion to public limited liability company in May 2020. Prior to joining the Group, Mr. Øyehaug served as an Equity Analyst at Carnegie Investment Bank in Oslo, Norway covering the seafood sector. Mr. Øyehaug holds a degree in Economics and Business Administration from the Norwegian School of Economics (“NHH”) and Columbia University in New York.
Svein Taklo
Chief Development
and Infrastructure Officer
Svein Taklo is the Group’s Chief Development and Infrastructure Officer since joining the Group on 1 October 2019. Before joining Atlantic Sapphire, Mr. Taklo held several positions within the cruise line industry, including most recently as Vice President Marine & Technical with ROW Management (The World, Residences at Sea) and previously as Chief Operational Officer and Senior Vice President of Maritime Operations for Hurtigruten from May 2014. Mr. Taklo holds a Bachelor’s in Safety and Maintenance from Høgskolesenteret i Vestfold in Norway and completed the Executive Education Program by Wharton School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania.
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