He succeeds Brandon Gottsacker, who was appointed CEO in February.
Riverence Group, the largest trout producer in the United States, has appointed Sean Nepper as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Nepper is the third person to hold the role within the year.
Nepper has been with the Riverence Group since 2017, most recently serving as Chief Operating Officer. He brings more than 29 years of experience in aquaculture, having started his career in broodstock and successfully spawning 26 different types of aquatic species. Nepper also serves on multiple local, state, and national aquaculture advisory committees.
He succeeds Brandon Gottsacker, who was appointed CEO in February while also serving as president of the recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) company Superior Fresh. Gottsacker had replaced Rob Young, who had been CEO since 2014.
Riverence Farms and Riverence Provisions, under the Riverence umbrella, operate a total of 14 grow-out farms, producing more than 10,000 metric tons of steelhead, golden rainbow, and rainbow trout annually. These operations are supported by Riverence’s recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facilities in Washington state and employ more than 300 people.
The ownership of Riverence Holdings LLC remains a 50-50 joint venture between Spring Salmon LLC and KFF LLC. Spring Salmon LLC operates Riverence Farms and Idaho-based rainbow trout producer and processor Evaqua Farms. In 2020, Riverence Holdings LLC acquired Clear Springs Foods, making it the largest trout farming company in the United States.
