Mark Kotok
President
Email: mark@arcticfisheries.com
Mark was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. He has been in the fish business from about the time he started to walk. He started out in the business by “spooning smelts” (a procedure designed to remove the head and entrails from fresh smelts by using a common teaspoon) at the age of 5 at his father’s fresh fish company (see Arctic Fisheries Our Story)
After graduation from Kent State University in 1971 with a Bachelors of Business Administration, he entered the family business full time. He ran virtually every segment of the business including the importation and sales of all types of fresh and frozen seafood, operations, warehousing, distribution and administration. He was actively involved in importing seafood from Canada, Norway, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, Taiwan, and Thailand.
Through a series of mergers and acquisitions, Mark had the opportunity to start X-Sea-Lnt International Corp. in 1987. The seafood importing company changed its name to Arctic Fisheries Ltd. in January 1999 (see Our Story).
Mark is married to the former Rina Brickman and has three grown children; Michael, Aaron, and Adam. In addition to golf, Mark enjoys discussing seafood with anyone who will listen.
Michael Kotok
Vice President
Email: michael@arcticfisheries.com
Michael was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. As Vice President of Arctic Fisheries Ltd., Michael is responsible for all daily operations, sales management, procurement and marketing functions. Michael is also the author of our famous Weekly Market Updates.
Michael graduated from University of Buffalo’s Business School where he played lacrosse and skied, alot. Michael began in the business as a youngster working weekends in the freezers and coolers of Kotok & Heims in the late 70’s and early 80’s. After college, Baltimore Fish & Oyster on Buffalo’s east side was the venue for continued education and insight into all aspects of a wholesale and retail seafood operation. Afterwards, Michael joined X-Sea-Lnt International Corp.and spearheaded the drive to change the name from X-Sea-Lnt to Arctic Fisheries.
Michael’s hobbies include skiing, mountain biking and lacrosse. When not in town, you'll find Michael out west, usually in the deepest powder possible.
Large Iceland Harvest or OP cod loins (that way you get huge flakes) loaded with hot sauce and grilled on a barbeque is Michael’s preferred fish dish. Fish tacos are also a favorite.
Joe Peters
Sales Manager
Email: joe@arcticfisheries.com
Joe was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. Joe is responsible for sales management to food service distributors, processors, importers and exporters across the USA. Joe is also responsible for a considerable amount of our International and Domestic procurement.
Joe is a graduate of the University of Buffalo and served in the NYS Army National Guard. Joe has an extensive background in foodservice including; Supervisor and Purchasing Agent for a hotel and restaurant group, Sales Manager for food service distributors and Sales Manager for a seafood importing company.
Joe and wife Nancy have three children and six grandchildren. Joe enjoys; cooking (his fish tacos are a favorite at the office), sports, gardening and dining out.
Joe’s favorite fish is baked Manaberg Packed at Sea Haddock Casino.
Tim Muhl
Sales Manager
Email: tim@arcticfisheries.com
Tim was born and raised in Wheatfield, NY near Buffalo. Tim graduated from Niagara County Community College with a degree in Criminal Justice and a certificate in Business Management. Tim has been very active in many facets of the foodservice industry over the past 15 years where he was an award-winning bartender in addition to his management roles.
With his spare time during the summer, Tim is active playing softball, golf and mountain biking (and subsequent trips to the hospital). In the winter months (of course, living here in Buffalo, we have a lot of them), Tim works on his collection of classic cars whenever he is not riding his snowmobile.
An avid seafood eater, Tim enjoys Manaberg Packed at Sea cod prepared many ways.
Ty Pazian
Sales Manager
Email: ty@arcticfisheries.com
Ty is a graduate of the University of Buffalo where he studied business and interned with the Buffalo Bills. After completing his studies, Ty continued to work for the Buffalo Bills. Now, Ty is responsible for sales and customer satisfaction (as he proudly displays at his desk) for a wide array of our customers and friends.
Ty is an avid outdoorsman, enjoying various pursuits; fishing, hunting, camping, mountain biking, hiking and football. Ty also enjoys playing his guitar and watching sports when he is not outdoors
Ty is an avid seafood eater, and notes that Manaberg Packed at Sea cod is his favorite, especially broiled cajun-style.
Debbie Duringer
Accounting
Email: debbie@arcticfisheries.com
Debbie was born in New Jersey and now lives in Buffalo, NY. Debbie is a recent graduate of the University of Buffalo's School of Management where she majored in accounting. At Arctic Fisheries, Debbie is responsible for many accounting and book-keeping functions.
Debbie and her husband Mike have two sons; Alex (15) and William (13). She spends a lot of time with her family and enjoys cooking and gardening.
Debbie's favorite fish dinner is Manaberg Packed at Sea Haddock, baked or grilled.
Steve Blaszak
Traffic department
Email: steve@arcticfisheries.com
Steve was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. Steve is responsible for all of our shipping. Steve is widely regarded as one of the best in the industry – he can get your shipment to you, on time, economically. Steve also assists with many other functions around our offices.
Steve is pictured with his daughter, Brianna Marie, born on April 20th, 2001. Steve and his wife Kelly are expecting twins!
Steve is an avid golfer and also enjoys soccer, skiing and hanging-out with family and friends.
Steve’s favorite fish is Manaberg Packed at Sea cod, prepared any way, just make sure he gets a large piece!
Heidi Butler
Major Events Planner
Email: heidi@arcticfisheries.com
Heidi was born and raised in the Buffalo, NY-area. Heidi assists with all of our customer-service initiatives. She is also our major-events planner and assists with planning all meetings, conventions and shows.
Heidi is a graduate of Canisius College and holds a degree in Marketing and Management. She is an active member of Alpha Omicron Pi Alumnae Chapter.
When not at Arctic Fisheries, she enjoys shopping at IKEA with her husband Frank, traveling, reading, going to the beach, city-walks and enjoying movies.
Heidi's favorite fish is Manaberg Packed at Sea Cod prepared spicy; either with cajun seasoning or hot sauce.
Ian Donnelly
Sales Manager
Email: ian@arcticfisheries.com
Ian was born and raised in Jamestown, NY. Ian is a recent graduate of the State University of New York at Fredonia, where he majored in Communications and minored in Sociology.
Ian has spent two summers aboard a commercial fishing vessel in Alaska, based out of Homer, AK. Ian worked as a commercial deckhand aboard F/V Ishmael, a 40ft salmon drift-gillnetter. During the two summers spent on board Ishmael, Ian harvested 65,000 pounds of fresh Sockeye Salmon, including the 75 pound King Salmon he is holding up to the right.
Ian enjoys anything outdoors; biking, hiking, golf, baseball, and of course, fishing. Ian notes that currently he is learning the art of fly-fishing.
Ian considers himself to be a bit of cook, preparing any fish, “all sorts of good ways.” And while he may be partial to sockeye salmon, he really enjoys Iceland Harvest skin on haddock as well as Yagry cod.