MLA Places Eric Lent as Executive Vice President and General Counsel at American Seafoods Group

Hanover, MD (January 24, 2022) — Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA), the world’s leading legal search firm, today announced the placement of Eric Lent as executive vice president and general counsel at American Seafoods Group in Seattle. The search was led by Alisa Tazioli, managing director in MLA’s In-House Counsel Recruiting group in Seattle.

American Seafoods is an industry-leading harvester, processor, distributor and marketer of a diverse array of seafood products from sustainably managed fisheries in U.S. waters off Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. They are the world’s largest at-sea processor of Wild Alaska Pollock and hold the largest allocation of Wild Pacific Hake (Whiting). They operate a fleet of six fishing vessels in the sustainable fisheries of the Bering Sea and the North Pacific Ocean.

Eric will lead American Seafoods’ legal and compliance functions, serving as a key business partner and member of the executive leadership team. He will also serve as corporate secretary, providing advice and counsel to the Board.

“Eric brings a wealth of experience in commercial transactions, business partnerships, corporate governance and regulatory work, which translates nicely to the role at America Seafoods,” said Alisa Tazioli. “His industry expertise in regulated industries and consumer products, including source-to-table products, is a distinctly valuable perspective. He is amiable, practical and collaborative and will be a welcome addition to the American Seafoods’ leadership suite.”

Eric spent the last 10-plus years with Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, one of the world’s largest premium wine companies. He most recently served as executive vice president, general counsel and corporate affairs, leading the law and corporate affairs department, with sole accountability for legal strategy. Before Ste. Michelle, he was an associate with Perkins Coie, defending product liability and commercial litigation disputes in the aerospace and consumer goods industry. He began her legal career as an associate with Arent Fox in New York. Eric earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and his B.A. from The University of Virginia.