Michael Kotok
President
Email: michael@arcticfisheries.com
Michael was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. As President of Arctic Fisheries Ltd., Michael is responsible for all daily operations, sales management, procurement, finance 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 with his wife, 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.
Mark Kotok
Vice President
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. Mark and Rina both occupy themselves with a growing number of grandchildren. In addition to golf, Mark enjoys discussing seafood with anyone who will listen.
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.
Ty Pazian
National 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.
Eric Cassidy
Sales Manager
Email: eric@arcticfisheries.com
Eric was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. Eric gained extensive experince working in the advertising department of The New York Times, where he was both a sales associate and a "copy passer." In short, a copy passer proof-reads all copy to be printed for both quality purposes as well as adherence to standards.
Away from work, Eric enjoys being a fan of Buffalo sports. He also enjoys travelling, movies, reading and spending time with friends and family. Eric is also a tournament poker player.
Eric's favorite dish is Manaberg haddock, prepared in many different ways!
David Beam
Sales Manager
Email: david@arcticfisheries.com
Dave was born and raised in Niagara Falls, NY. He graduated from Niagara County Community College with a degree in Communications and Media Arts in 1999.
Dave enjoys playing tennis, racquetball, golf and snowboarding. He also enjoys hiking all the various trails in the gorge along the lower Niagara river, where he might often run into Ty and Steve fishing. Each year, he celebrates his family reunion at the Outer Banks. Dave and his wife, Jenny look forward to going camping with their sons, Isaiah and Levi.
Growing up, he enjoyed fresh, wild caught trout his grandfather would bring home for the family. Since then, he enjoys a wide variety of seafood dishes, especially spicey ones, noting that spicy (using Frank's Hot Sauce, of course) Yagry cod is his favorite.
Dan Smykowski
Sales Manager
Email: dan@arcticfisheries.com
Dan was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. He recently graduated from Buffalo State College with a degree in business economics.
Dan enjoys playing soccer, traveling, snowboarding, collecting vinyl records, music and brewing his own beer. He also is a supporter of Buffalo sports, attending games whenever he can.
His favorite dish is a toss-up between grilled cod and fish tacos, though he insists on frozen-at-sea cod, whether it be Manaberg or Yagry.