Brian Albaum

Background

About Brian Albaum

SSA Group specializes in hospitality operations (foodservice, retail, and ticketing) for zoos, aquariums, museums, and cultural centers throughout the United States - as the Director of Sustainability & Climate Action, my role is to help our accounts create the best food and retail services possible while minimizing our impacts. Between daily foodservice for guests and catering for special events, we feed millions of people annually - with that ownership and responsibility in mind, my projects include implementation of recycling and composting programs, reducing single-use disposables, edible food recovery, and increasing local sourcing. Until August 2020, I worked as a Business Engagement Manager with Seafood Watch at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California. Seafood Watch evaluates the environmental impacts associated with seafood production around the world and makes color-based ratings (green - yellow - red) and information available to consumers and businesses across North America. As a Business Engagement Manager, my main responsibilities included working with seafood suppliers, restaurants, retailers, and foodservice companies to improve the environmental sustainability of the seafood they purchase and serve. I also worked to improve the transparency and traceability of global seafood supply chains. I interacted with corporate executives, chefs, the media, and consumers to promote awareness of seafood sustainability and increase its prevalence and availability, both in North America and abroad. By working at the nexus of environmental consciousness and commercial-scale seafood trade, I had the opportunity to leverage market forces and create positive change on the water. I earned my Master of Science in "Aquaculture Business Management" from the Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling in Scotland. Prior to that I earned my Bachelor of Science in marine biology and business at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. I have a deep passion for the ocean, as well as first-hand knowledge of how water-based food production systems can be both environmentally- and economically-sustainable. I have studied and worked in aquaculture around the world and maintain a particular interest in integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, recirculating aquaculture systems, and aquaponics. Additionally, I have experience in the small but specialized field of aquaculture insurance, which was the topic of my Master's dissertation.