The Council is comprised of harvesters, dealers, and public members, one from each of three state regions (east, mid-coast, west), totaling nine members. Members are nominated by the Lobster Advisory Council and appointed by the Commissioner of the Department of Marine Resources for three-year terms, with a maximum of two consecutive terms.
Harvester Representatives
Clive Farrin | Boothbay Harbor | Midcoast Region
Clive has been harvesting lobster since he was a boy. As an adult, he spent 30 years teaching industrial arts in during the school year and lobstering in the summer. After retiring from teaching, Clive turned to lobstering full time. He recently started giving scenic lobster boat tours in Boothbay Harbor.
Nick Lemieux | Cutler | Eastern District
Nick has had a lobster license since he was 6 years old and started helping out his father on his lobster boat. He has over 25 years of experience in the industry.
John Jordan | Yarmouth | Western District -- MLC Secretary
John has been involved in the lobster industry for the past 20 years. He started as a stern man while still in school and worked his way through the ranks to a full-time lobster harvester. In addition to fishing full time, John is the manager of Dropping Springs Lobster Company, a fishermen-owned business that markets its own lobsters.
Dealer Representatives
Emily Lane | Portland | Western District
Emily Lane specializes in export sales to Europe, Asia and the Middle East for
Portland Shellfish Co. Inc. With two locations in the Portland area, Portland Shellfish purchases, processes and distributes Portland Lighthouse Jonah crab and coldwater shrimp and Claw Island value added lobster products. Emily has over 20 years experience in the Maine seafood industry.
Chad Dorr | Milbridge | Eastern District
Chad is part of
Dorr Lobster Company, a family-owned and operated business since 1977. The business began with a single fisherman and expanded to include a state-of-the-art coldwater seasoning and packaging facility.
David Sleeper | South Thomaston | Midcoast Region
David has been General Manager of the Spruce Head Fishermen's Cooperative for 9 years. He spent his early days as a fisherman before switching to the business side of the industry. He has served on several state committees including those dealing with electronic dealer reporting and temperature sensors.
Public Representatives
Bob Putnam | Falmouth | Western District -- Chairman
After harvesting lobster for 27 years, Bob recently decided to try a new job and accepted the position of Waterfront Manager at the Portland Yacht Club. This position allows him to be an active member of the National Ski Patrol in the winter.
Richard Grotton | Augusta | Midcoast District -- MLC Treasurer
Since 1994, Dick has been President and CEO of the
Maine Restaurant Association, a member-funded organization developed to represent, promote and educate the foodservice industry of Maine. Before joining MeRA, Dick was a multiple-unit restaurant owner/operator and a real estate developer.
Cathy Billings | Orono | Eastern District
Cathy is the Associate Director of Communications and Development for the
Lobster Institute, an organization that was founded with the mission of sustaining both the
lobster resource and a viable lobster fishery through conservation,
outreach, research and education.
DMR Representative
George Lapointe | Augusta
The Commissioner of the
Department of Marine Resources sits on the Council as an ex-officio (non-voting) member.