Staff

Meet the Staff

Amber-Jean Nickel

Amber-jean Nickel 

Chief Operating Officer

After spending many years selling Maine lobster and being an advocate for the sustainability and iconic industry, Amber-Jean comes to the MLA. Grounded in operations and marketing, being a perfect fit for us as we continue to tackle an ever-growing list of complex challenges.

 

Patrice McCarron

Patrice McCarron

Policy Director

Policy Director and a part of the MLA since 2001, Patrice is known as a major resource for the Maine lobster industry and the challenges it faces. She serves on several boards including the Lobster Research, Education and Development Fund and Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team. She is President of the Maine Lobstermen’s Community Alliance, a non-profit sister organization to the MLA. Ms. McCarron formerly served as executive director to the Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation, worked on fisheries issues for the New England Aquarium and was Director of the Marine Environmental Research Institute’s Resource Center.

Antonina "Andi" Pelletier

Antonina “Andi” Pelletier

Membership Director

Antonina joined the MLA in the fall of 2015 after many years running her own business and serving on the Community Advisory Board at Maine Public. She brings a history of customer service and membership experience to the MLA and has found the work more than rewarding. Ms. Pelletier also works in the development office of the Maine Lobstermen’s Community Alliance as well volunteering in her community. 

 

Kevin Kelley      Kevin Kelley

Director of Advancement

The son of a Midcoast lobsterman, Kevin has a deep knowledge of media and federal policy. After graduating from the University of Maine, he worked as a news reporter and anchor at NewsCenter Maine (NBC) for 12 years before becoming Maine bureau chief for New England Cable News (NECN) in 2004. He then served as Communications Director and policy adviser for U.S. Senator Susan Collins and as staff director for the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging. Kevin understands the importance of Maine's lobster industry to our fishing families, our rural coastal communities, and to the overall economy of our state and he is leading MLA's Save Maine Lobstermen campaign. 

Mindy Coath    Mindy Coath 

Office Administrator

Always ready to support the MLA team, Mindy is often the first person you'll talk to when calling into the office. With extensive experience in administration, she is beyond happy to help wherever needed to support the Maine lobstermen.