Aug 15

Joe Arceneaux

By Version 2017

Joe Arceneaux, BS
Observer Program Coordinator

Joe Arceneaux began working with MRAG Americas in early 2024 as a contract CoC Auditor.  Later that year, he joined our Monitoring Division as Coordinator of the Part Time Observer Program (PTOP) within the Longline Transhipment Observer Program (LTOP).  Joe will assist Bryan Belay in coordinating and debriefing the International Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) observers. He will manage communications and coordinate travel for the observers and supply documentation to the IATTC.  Joe was a resident of Hawaii for 30 years where he was a trainer at the Hawaii Longline Observer Program at the Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO).  He wrote and developed species identification guides for fish, sharks, sea turtles and small cetaceans used to manage pelagic longline fisheries across the Pacific and eastern Asia. He held a marine safety instructor certificate from 2003-2023 and designed and conducted IATTC observer training classes for national programs and throughout the Pacific Island nations.  Additionally, he led debriefings of observers who disembarked vessels from the Pacific Ocean. His knowledge and expertise within the programs will add efficiency to our operations.

Joe was a Peace Corps volunteer in Zaire (now Dem. Republic of Congo) from 1988 to 1990. He attended Auburn University and received a BS in Fisheries Management & Aquaculture.  After living in Hawaii for the past 30 years, Joe and his wife relocated to northern Florida.  They are slowly acclimating to Florida fauna and fishing.  Their senior dog, Bella (a Schnoodle) lives with them on their homestead in the north Florida pine forest.

Aug 15

Abigail Stewart

By Version 2017

Abigail Stewart, BA
CoC Program Administrator

Abigail joined MRAG Americas as the Chain of Custody Program Administrator in 2024. She received her BA in Sustainability from the University of Louisville and is currently working on her MBA with an emphasis in Environmental Compliance from Southern New Hampshire University. Before MRAG Americas, Abigail worked in the logistics field while also maintaining internships focusing on environmental education. She has also held many administrative roles and has received her PACE certification to further her administrative skills. In her spare time, she loves to read, travel, spend time with family, and play with her 4 dogs.

Feb 01

Anya Fulmer

By Version 2017

Anya Fulmer

CoC Auditor

Anya Fulmer initially joined MRAG Americas in 2022 as a contract MSC/ASC auditor. In January 2024 she joined the MRAG Americas team full-time as a COC Auditor. She continues to conduct chain of custody audits for the MSC and ASC standards and has begun tracking and managing clients’ non-conformity responses, as well as coordinating our LinkedIn and social media presence. Anya graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a degree in geology and a focus in sustainable energy. Outside of work, she is a practicing artist and enjoys hiking and playing cards.

Nov 18

susanalcorn

By General, Version 2017

Susan Alcorn, BS
CoC Auditor

Susan Alcorn joined the MRAG America’s Seafood Sourcing Certification team in 2015 as a contract auditor. Now, as a regular staff member, she conducts chain of custody auditing for the MSC, ASC and RFM standards as well as private sustainability sourcing standards. Susan’s ability to work with our Russian clients helped our client base increase substantially. Her auditing expertise was also instrumental to the process of achieving RFM certification. Susan holds a BS degree in Microbiology from Oregon State University. In her spare time, Susan enjoys gardening, hiking and travel.

Aug 24

Eileen Bautista

By Version 2017

Eileen Bautista, ABA

Office Administrator

Eileen Bautista joined MRAG Americas in January 2022 as Office Administrator.  She oversees our St. Petersburg headquarters and is assistant to Graeme Parkes and Debra Welsh. Eileen has over 25 years’ experience as a senior executive administrator including a 15 year background in the interior design field as an expeditor. She lived in Miami for 25 year where she owned a successful pet sitting business.  Eileen has worked in Manhattan, Los Angeles, and Miami. She enjoys landscaping and gardening.

Aug 24

Haley Tomberlin

By Version 2017

Haley Tomberlin, BS

Certification Specialist and CoC Support

Haley Tomberlin joined MRAG in 2022 as a Certification Specialist in our Certification Division. She is also a CoC Auditor. Haley graduated with a BS in Elementary Education with a concentration in Mathematics from the University of Maine at Farmington. She was a teacher for 3 years including 8th grade Science. Before teaching, Haley worked as a Licensing Specialist for the State of Maine Department of Marine Resources. Haley grew up in Maine and relocated to Florida after graduating college. When she’s not working, she enjoys cooking, going to the beach, and spending time with her dog Annie.

Aug 24

Nick Hahlbeck, PhD, Fisheries Scientist

By Version 2017

Dr. Nick Hahlbeck, PhD

Fisheries Scientist

Dr. Nick Hahlbeck joined MRAG Americas in April 2022 as a Fishery Assessment Analyst and is now Fisheries Scientist. He works in our Certification Division on assessments and consulting projects related to sustainability standards, including MSC and RFM. Before joining MRAG Americas, Nick was a researcher, leading efforts in the field and behind the computer to answer practical questions about fish ecology, climate change, and bycatch. His experience spans commercial, recreational, and subsistence fisheries in marine and freshwater ecosystems, and has involved collaboration with universities, state and federal agencies, tribes, nonprofits, and anglers. Nick holds a BS with majors in Biology and Marine Science and minors in Mathematics, Computer Science, and Chemistry from the University of Miami, and a PhD in Fisheries Science from Oregon State University.

Aug 24

Carolina Vargas, Social Accountability Auditor and QMS Manager

By General, Version 2017

Carolina Vargas
Social Accountability Auditor and QMS Manager

Carolina Vargas Hernandez joined MRAG Americas in 2021 and is now a Social Accountability Auditor and QMS Manager in our Certification Division. She is responsible for developing our Social Accountability and Auditing Program in Fisheries Supply Chains, leading certification audits under the Fairness, Integrity, Safety, and Health (FISH) Standard for Crew, supporting Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) to meet Human Rights and Social Responsibility policy, and providing support on other projects with social compliance components.   Carolina has over 12 years of experience in social compliance, sustainability consulting and auditing across different sectors with a history in commitment to social and environmental stewardship, such as Apparel: Sumerra, Social & Labor Convergence, IT: Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), Agriculture: Equitable Food Initiative (EFI), Sedex – SMETA and FISH Standard for Crew. She has trained and provided technical and capacity-building support for auditors, suppliers, and scheme owners in the Americas. She has completed more than 500 audits for Responsible Supply Chain Audits against Social and Security schemes across the industries (Agriculture, Manufacture, Food, Tech, Transportation, Warehouses, 3PL). Her certifications and completed courses include APSCA Certified Social Compliance Auditor (CSCA), Social & Labor Convergence Verifier (SLCP), Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), Equitable Food Initiative (EFI), SMETA Auditor, PVH, ISO 14001, and SA8000.

Aug 24

Debra Welsh

By Version 2017

Debra Welsh, MBA
Business Manager

Debra Welsh joined MRAG Americas in August of 2021 as the Business Manager and is an integral part of the Executive Team. She is responsible for managing the financial and business systems of the company and overseeing related administrative processes. She prepares financial information, including key performance indicators, for presentation to the Executive Team and consults with senior management on company financial performance. Debra has over 25 years of accounting experience. She received her undergraduate accounting degree from Binghamton University; and her MBA from the University of Colorado at Denver. In her off-work hours she enjoys reading and relaxing with her family on the lanai.

Aug 22

Clara Robison

By Version 2017

Clara Robison, MS, BS
Senior Program Manager SSIAD

Clara Robison joined MRAG Americas in 2022 as a Program Officer and is now Senior Program Manager SSIAD for the Seafood Sustainability Initiatives and Auditing Division (SSIAD). She works on the ISSF portfolio and the Whole Foods shellfish audits, as well as on developing new work streams. Clara is originally from Jacksonville, FL and currently resides in North Carolina, where she was previously working as an Environmental Health Specialist for the NC Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Marine Fisheries. Clara holds her M.S. in Marine Science from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science at William & Mary, and a BS in Coastal Biology, with a Minor in Psychology, from the University of North Florida. Her hobbies include hiking and volunteering in her local community.