News & Views
Benchmark Genetics announces new leadership

Geir Olav Melingen, commercial director Salmon, will taking over as head of Benchmark Genetics starting June 1.

Melingen is taking over the post from aquaculture veteran, Jan-Emil Johannessen, who is retiring this year at the age of 63. Jahannessen served as head of Benchmark Genetics for more than 10 years.

Jan-Emil Johannessen (Photo: Benchmark Genetics)

“Under the leadership of Jan-Emil Johannessen, Benchmark’s genetics business has become a world-leading aquaculture genetics company with a market-leading position in salmon,” said Trond Williksen, chief executive of Benchmark Holdings, in a press release. “Over ten years at Benchmark, Jan-Emil has led the business through impressive growth, including the construction of our state-of-the-art facility in Salten, the expansion on Iceland, our recent establishment of Benchmark Genetics Chile as well as taking Benchmark Genetics into new species like shrimp and tilapia.”

Melingen has experience from leading roles in the aquaculture industry, including at CEO of Fishguard (part of the MSD Group) and CEO of the Bergen Aquarium. He has experience in fish health and the salmon industry, with a Ph.D. in fish health from the University of Bergen.