Fish Culture Section

Join Our Section

Our Leadership

The Section is lead by the President, President-Elect, Secretary-Treasurer, and Past-President, but leadership in the Section extends well beyond the officers.  Our officers are assisted by various standing and ad-hoc committees, representatives, and liaisons.

Are you interested in joining a committee or serving the Section in other ways? Contact any member of our leadership team to learn more.

FCS Officers

President, Matt Wipf (mwipf.fwp@gmail.com)

President-Elect, Stephanie King (stephanie.king@inwatertech.com)

Secretary-Treasurer, Shane Ramee (swramee@gmail.com)

Past-President, Dan Mosier II (dan.mosier@ks.gov)

Webmaster, Mike Shane (mshane@hswri.org)

Membership Committee

Members: Jeff Heidel (Chair), Matt Wipf, Eric Fetherman

Purpose: To grow and maintain an active, engaged membership for the Fish Culture Section while promoting the benefits of participation.

Objectives:

  1. Develop and implement strategies to recruit new members and retain existing members.
  2. Maintain and update the Section’s membership database regularly
  3. Monitor membership trends
  4. Recognize and welcome new members to encourage early engagement
  5. Evaluate the membership fee structure
  6. Facilitate online payment of membership fees and communication with AFS
  7. Hold a periodic all-members Teams call

Communications Committee

Members: Stephanie King (Chair), Mike Shane (Webmaster), Brooke Wetteland, Audrey Jones, Taylor Tucker, Sydness Brown

Purpose: To inform and engage members by producing high-quality communications that highlight Section activities, achievements, and relevant fish culture news.

Objectives:

  1. Maintain the newsletter:  i) Post regularly, gather and curate content for 2-3 newsletters per year, including articles, member/facility spotlights, section activities and opportunities and upcoming events, and ii) encourage contributions from members and other AFS sections to foster community engagement.
  2. Website: Keep the website updated with section resources and past and upcoming events.
  3. Social Media:  Create content to engage with the FCS community and to support growing the membership.

Program Committee

Members:  Joseph Conroy (Chair), Laura Bailey, Matt Wipf, Dan Mosier II, Stephanie King

Purpose:  To participate in the development and coordination of programs for meetings, symposia, and workshops, specifically at the Aquaculture America and AFS Annual meetings.

Nominating Committee

Members: Dan Mosier II (Chair)

Purpose:  To identify and recruit qualified candidates for Section officer position, ensuring a transparent and fair election process.

Objectives:

  1. Solicit interest and confirm willingness of nominees to serve.
  2. Present a finalized slate of candidates to the Section in accordance with bylaws and facilitate the vote.
  3. Maintain records of nominations and election outcomes for future reference.

Awards Committee

Members: Brian Gause (Chair), Mick Walsh, Dan Mosier II, Quenton Tuckett

Purpose:  To recognize and encourage outstanding contributions in fish culture, with the following awards: i) Student travel, ii) Award of excellence, iii) NAJA best paper

Student and Early Career Committee

Members: Bonnie Mulligan (Chair),  Lillian Morrison, Kerrie Berger

Purpose: To engage students and early career professionals / provide a voice

Objective:

  1. Coordinating with the awards committee on Student and Early career travel
  2. Who are FCS students?  How do we engage more?

Fundraising Committee

Members: Donovan Patterson, Evan Jones

Purpose: To secure financial support that enhances the Section’s ability to provide value to members (e.g. student awards, communications, outreach, and special initiatives).

Objective:

  1. Solicit input from Section members on financial needs and priorities of the Section,
  2. Develop and implement fundraising strategies to meet Section financial needs by:
    1. Building and maintaining relationships with sponsors, partners, and donors to support long-term engagement.
    2. Explore grants and external funding opportunities that align with Section goals
  3. Track contributions and coordinate with the Treasurer to ensure transparent financial reporting. 

Audit Committee Chair, Mike Matthews (Mike.Matthews@tpwd.texas.gov)

Hall of Fame Committee Chair, Past-President

Nominating Committee Chair, Past-President

Triennial Program Committee Representative, Jeff Heindel (jeff.heindel@merck.com)

Triennial Steering Committee Representative, Michelle “Mick” Walsh (michelle.walsh@cfk.edu)

Webinar Committee Chair, Webinar Committee Chair, Jill Roland