Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland

One Ocean, an inter-industry liaison organization for the fishing and petroleum industries in Newfoundland and Labrador, is pleased to announce the appointment of Wayne Follett as the new chairperson of the One Ocean board.

Mr. Follett assumed the role in April 2022, succeeding William (Bill) Wells who retired from the position in March 2022 after 10 years of service.

Senior management roles

Mr. Follett is a retired senior executive who worked as president and CEO of Marine Atlantic Inc., regional director general of the Newfoundland and Labrador Region of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, regional director of the Canadian Coast Guard, Newfoundland and Labrador, and in several management positions in resource management and economic and commercial analysis.

His post retirement work has included serving as chair of the Standing Price Setting Panel for the Newfoundland and Labrador fishery, part-time senior business advisor to Swedish company Hogia Transport Systems, member of a DFO Ministerial Task Force and business consultant to several small to medium sized corporations. Mr. Follett has served on several boards, has experience in corporate governance and public policy, and is a chartered professional accountant.

New managing director

In September 2022, One Ocean also welcomed Ashley Woodford as its new managing director, following the retirement of Maureen Murphy-Rustad.

A graduate of Memorial University (Bachelor of Business Administration, 2005, Certificate in Public Administration, 2006), Ms. Woodford spent 17 years working with professional associations in Ontario and in Newfoundland and Labrador. Ms. Woodford has extensive experience in association management, working with volunteer boards, and building relationships with stakeholders. For 12 years, Ms. Woodford served as executive director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Branch of the Canadian Bar Association, the largest professional association for lawyers in Canada.

Unique model

“One Ocean provides a valuable forum and opportunity for two important industries operating in the marine environment in Newfoundland and Labrador to come together, collaboratively and proactively. One Ocean celebrated its 20th anniversary this year and its model is unique to the world. I look forward to working with the board,” said Mr. Follett. “One Ocean is fortunate to recruit Ms. Woodford who has an impressive track record and valuable experience with corporate governance.”

The One Ocean board meets quarterly and is supported by a working group of experts from the oil and gas and fisheries sectors. In addition to its 12 directors from the oil and gas and the fishing industry, there are standing invitees from the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canadian Coast Guard and the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University. More information is available at www.oneocean.ca.

About One Ocean

Established in 2002, One Ocean is comprised of a secretariat (chair and managing director), board of directors and a working group. The One Ocean board is comprised of an equal number of senior-level representatives from the two industry sectors.

Fishing industry members are represented by the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union-UNIFOR, the Association of Seafood Producers and the Atlantic Groundfish Council. Petroleum industry members are members of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.

One Ocean does not represent the fishing and petroleum industries in Newfoundland and Labrador – it represents the mutual interests of both sectors.

One Ocean is housed at the Marine Institute’s Ridge Road campus in St. John’s. For more information about One Ocean, contact Ashley.Woodford@mi.mun.ca or visit www.oneocean.ca.