Clint (Skiffman) Benson
Clint (or Skiffman, as we call him) founded Kenai-Red Fish Company in 2013. But the story really started back when Clint was an adventurous college student who hitchhiked to Alaska to explore the “last frontier.” It didn’t take long for Clint to carve out his own commercial enterprise on the famous Kenai Peninsula, introducing a new service of transporting salmon caught in the Cook Inlet using large skiffs. The fishermen could count on Clint’s “skiff tenders” to unload their boats faster so they could get back out to catch more salmon. And thus, the legend of Clint “Skiffman” Benson was born. After years of raising a family with his wife Barbara, and a professional career in Portland, Clint’s early experience in Alaska came full circle decades later when he founded Kenai-Red. As our founder, Clint has an unwavering belief in running an ethical business shaped by his personal values and the principles of the Community Supported Fishery (CSF) movement.
Allison Jones
Allison, the youngest of Clint's three daughters, has been at the heart of the family business since it began in 2013. Back then, she was living in New Orleans, but would spend her summers in the Rose City, managing the operations part time. As the business flourished, she moved back to Portland and took on a full-time role as Operations Manager & CSF Coordinator. Allison has multiple responsibilities from marketing, to handling accounts and relationships with individual share members, Buying Clubs, corporate accounts, and CSA partners. She also spearheads Portland operations, making sure everything is running smoothly while the rest of the team is up in Alaska. Recently, Allison celebrated her 1 year anniversary to her wonderful husband, Peter Jones, who moonlights as one of our trusted advisors and chief taste tester when needed😜🐟
Michael Schwab
As a young college student, Mike got his first taste of Alaska when his brother-in-law Clint (Skiffman) Benson recruited him to join the skiff tender enterprise. Mike spent long days and nights operating skiffs, pitching fish and getting a firsthand education of the Alaska fisheries on the Cook Inlet. “Uncle Mike” joined full time in June of 2021, after previously serving as an investor and consultant to the company. Following decades of corporate sales leadership roles in high technology, Mike is passionate about helping lead the company’s growth and organizational development strategies. Mike lives in Half Moon Bay, CA with his partner and the company’s spiritual advisor Carolyn.
Rachael Sullivan
Rachael, the middle of Clint’s three daughters, recently joined the family business. Rachael serves as the company’s Finance and Payroll Manager in addition to helping us stay organized by creating and implementing our new inventory tracking systems. On her off-time Rachael stays busy raising her daughters Avery (4) and Lyla (2) with her husband Sam.
Jeff Swisshelm
Say hello to Jeff! Jeff is our most recent member of the team and we’re so excited to have him. Living in Portland with his family, Jeff can usually be found at a local farmers' market or at a playground with his adorable son Theron. Jeff is leading our Farmers' Market team and is a key part in getting our amazing fish into consumers' hands every week!
Jamie Bellefueille
Jamie is originally from Northwest Wisconsin, growing up on the border of farmland and logging country. In 2017, he started living on the bluff in Clam gulch, AK overlooking the majestic Cook Inlet. Being from Midwest farm country, he moved to Alaska to be near the mountains and ocean and seeking the adventure and freedom. Jamie started with the company in May 2020 and serves as the Onsite Manager running our facility and processing plant in Ninilchik. He loves teaching and sharing his experience with the younger crew members and contributing to the local community. Jamie is our renaissance man who seems capable of doing just about everything and when not working has a love of woodworking and collecting antique tools.
The Seasonal Crew
Each fishing season, we hire local Alaskans as well as folks from the lower 48 to join our crew in Ninilchik, AK. Our crew hand processes our fish, oversees our dock, manages our buying station, and so much more. Their contributions are immeasurable and we are so grateful. If you or someone you know have an interest in joining us in Alaska, we would love to hear from you!