About CYBF
John Risley, O.C
Chairman
Chairman
Clearwater Fine Foods Inc.
One of the biggest compliments you can pay John Risley is to tell him he runs his business “differently” than others in the fresh seafood industry. After originally founding Clearwater Fine Foods Inc. as a fish store in Nova Scotia, he quickly realized that any future growth would mean operating in non-traditional markets. This meant selling his products overseas, first in Europe, then in Asia – something virtually unheard of for a small Canadian fishery at the time.
Initially, Mr. Risley’s chief product was lobster, which sold extremely well in Europe. Since that time, he has expanded the product line to include scallops, crab, and shrimp, among many others, to reflect the diverse international tastes of his customers.
By surrounding himself with many of the best employees in the business, Mr. Risley has seen the company grow both domestically and internationally. Sales and marketing functions are now decentralized, with offices in China, Los Angeles, Orlando, Toronto, and England. The company also maintains eight plants in Atlantic Canada and Quebec, as well as a fleet of 30 offshore fishing vessels.
In the face of increasing international competition and dwindling natural resources, Mr. Risley is safeguarding the future of the company by investing heavily in research and development, new information technology systems, and attracting and retaining the best people.
