John Lowrance first came to Alaska in 1982 and began his seafood career with Sitka Sound Seafoods in Sitka, Alaska that summer. Over the years he worked for various seafood companies in many of the coastal communities in Alaska. In 1996 John started Passport foods - a value added reprocessor of seafood in Seattle with Ryan Mackey. The company was innovative in developing frozen "home meal replacements" and was purchased by Orca Bay Foods in 1997. John was hired as a part of the buy out as vice president of sales and marketing - position he had until the purchase of the Leader Creek facility in 1999. In 1998 John married his wife Adele Maruo.

John can be contacted at John@EEFOODS.com

His mailing addresses are: Leader Creek Fisheries, L.L.C. 122 N 84th St Seattle, WA 98013 Phone: 206 782 5456; Fax: 206 706 2594

Leader Creek Fisheries, L.L.C. P.O. Box 449 Naknek, AK 99633 Phone:907 246 8846; Fax: 907 246 8847

During the 2002 Business of SeaFood Conference and Tradeshow that took place on March 5th, John Lowrance was presented the 2002 Best Practice and Innovation in Seafood Award by Joe Henri, Chairman of World Trade Center Alaska. "This year we recognized the first winner and it is a good start for an annual tradition of rewarding innovators in Alaska's SeaFOOD business".

The purpose of the award is to identify and recognize individuals, companies, associations, and/or communities that are serving as leaders in finding successful new ways of responding to the demands of international markets. Certainly, one of the criteria for the winner is their positive influence on the Alaskan economy.

John Lowrance from Leader Creek Fisheries is a Bristol Bay salmon and herring processor who is able to recognize industry problems and respond to global market changes. His commitment, innovative marketing, ability to establish trustful relationships with fishermen, fairness, and understanding of importance of high quality are the key factors for long-term success.

"Rather than to repeat the mantra that farmed salmon has destroyed our markets and continue to ignore that the problem is in our own back yard; the time has come to reward and highlight positive efforts made by industry players to help change the image of Alaska seafood. I believe that awards like this will encourage the industry to look at their practices and find ways for improvement to keep them globally competitive". - Cheryl Cummings, Marketing Director, Alaska Manufacturers' Association

" John Lowrance's business methods are genuinely innovative, and an example of the kind of new thinking that our industry needs". . - Stephen Grabacki, President of GRAYSTAR Pacific Seafood Ltd.

Sincerely,

Peter Ratner, Programs Director
World Trade Center Alaska