Matt Yoder FFI Career
Current America’s Finest Factory Manager, Matt Yoder just celebrated a milestone with the Company - he has been a member of the crew of the US Intrepid and America’s Finest for Ten Years. Congratulations, Matt.
Matt and his crew aboard America’s Finest November 24, 2021 arriving at the Curtis Wharf, Anacortes for annual shipyard.
We asked Matt to put in his own words what it means to build an Alaskan fishing career at Fishermen’s Finest:
I attended an Employment Informational Meeting in Bend Oregon the summer of 2010; North Pacific Fishery Management Council Member Roy Hyder was in attendance and I remember him saying to Kristian Uri, ‘I’d sign up if I were 20 years younger.’
I started with FFI in August of 2010. I began as a processor on the US Intrepid. Of course, there were days that I wanted to quit, and especially because I was leaving my family for months at a time. I had never left them for more than a day or two at a time up until that point. The thing that drove me was knowing that I was pursuing what I need to in order to provide for their future. I think everyone needs to be working toward a cause greater than themselves.
Matt Yoder, center on the US Intrepid July 2011
The first year on the US Intrepid, I started working in case-up, mostly stacking the freezer hold. That was a challenging experience, but also a time for me to develop grit and determination. After 5 years of stacking the freezer hold for most of my contracts, I moved to the case-up position, where I was in charge of operating the freezers. This was less physically demanding, but more mentally challenging.
My last two years aboard the US Intrepid, I had moved up to assistant foreman. This was a good opportunity to grow my skills in personnel management. I have good memories of my time spent aboard the US Intrepid. It always felt like a big family.
Matt with Captain Hezel and the rest of the Intrepid crew, July 2015. Matt received his 5 year (Swiss Army) watch as a gift from Ms. Park that day.
When the America’s Finest began fishing, I was aboard as Freezer Tech. There was a pretty steep learning curve with this position, and I am very impressed by the improvements we have been able to bring to this area in just a few years. I have seen the case-up area go from a struggling 3 cases per minute, to a constant stream of production.
In 2020, I was asked if I would consider filling in as Factory Manager on the America’s Finest. I was somewhat hesitant to accept this position as I knew that it carried a lot of responsibility, but I did accept after some time of consideration. This has been a great opportunity to continue to expand my horizons, and to continue to develop managing skills that would remain buried otherwise. I still work as Freezer Tech at times, and I also enjoy the challenges that gives me to see how efficiently and streamlined we can run that part of the factory.
Keep up the good work, Matt. Enjoy your Omega Seamaster ‘James Bond’ watch - a gift from Ms. Park - for your years of service and dedication.
If you see Matt aboard the vessel, in the shipyard or Port, please be sure to reach out and congratulate him for a job well done. Build your career at Fishermen’s Finest.