Red Lobster’s Nelson Griffin Joins GAA Board

Nelson Griffin of Red Lobster Seafood Company has joined the board of directors of the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA), the world’s leading standards-setting organization for aquaculture seafood, GAA announced in early April.

Griffin is VP of supply chain for Red Lobster, based in Orlando, Florida, USA. He is responsible for leading all supply chain-related activities for the world’s largest casual-dining seafood restaurant company, which operates more than 700 restaurants throughout North America. Griffin also oversees the department responsible for food safety, product quality and restaurant inspections.

Griffin assumed his current role in July 2014 when Red Lobster became an independent, privately owned company. Prior to that, he served in key supply chain leadership roles at Darden Restaurants Inc. In addition, he worked for Kellogg’s and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store.

“Red Lobster has been a leader in the seafood industry for more than 40 years,” said Griffin. “I am proud to have this opportunity to partner with GAA’s other board members to advance the organization’s mission to educate key stakeholders on responsible aquaculture practices and sustainability.”

“Red Lobster was a founding member of GAA in 1997, and as evidence of its strong commitment to sustainable aquaculture has been represented on our Board since that time,” added GAA Executive Director Wally Stevens. “We are excited to have Nelson become the ‘newest’ Red Lobster member of our board, and in particular look forward to gaining from him a greater understanding of his company’s extensive supply chain of aquaculture products.”

The addition of Griffin gives the GAA board greater representation from the foodservice sector. Also recently joining the GAA board were Robert Fields, senior director for fresh meat, seafood and gourmet deli at Sam’s Club, and Mike Berthet, director of fish and seafood for M&J Seafood.

About GAA
The Global Aquaculture Alliance is an international, non-profit trade association whose Best Aquaculture Practices program provides comprehensive, metrics-based certification for aquaculture facilities—including farms, hatcheries, feed mills and processing plants.

About Red Lobster Seafood Co.
Red Lobster is the world’s largest seafood restaurant company, headquartered in Orlando, Fla., with an impressive heritage and an even brighter future. As a private company owned by Golden Gate Capital, Red Lobster is focused on delivering freshly prepared seafood at reasonable prices – served in a lively, contemporary seaside atmosphere. With 58,000 employees in over 700 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada, and a growing international footprint, Red Lobster is more committed than ever to be not just the biggest seafood restaurant, but the best. To learn more, visit http://www.redlobster.com.