Joel Kolen
Living Tribute Fund
Established 2007
Joel Kolen was the president of Empress International. He also served as president of the National Fisheries Institute and chairman of the Seafood Industry Research Fund (SIRF) board. Mr. Kolen was pivotal in rebranding the Fisheries Scholarship Fund (FSF) to the SIRF. He retired from his SIRF chairmanship position in 2012.
Reston, VA – March 26, 2026 – The National Fisheries Institute’s (NFI) Future Leader (FL) Alumni raised $14,000 during their annual networking event held at Seafood Expo North America (SENA). Proceeds from the event will support the Seafood Industry Research Fund (SIRF) as well as the Wallace R. “Wally” Stevens Living Tribute Fund, both of… Read more »
The Seafood Industry Research Fund (SIRF) Board of Directors hosted the 12th Annual SIRF Benefit Soirée on Monday, January 19, 2026, at the Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida. The elegant evening celebrated our shared commitment to advancing the seafood industry’s future through innovation and research. The night began with a cocktail reception at 7:15… Read more »
