🏅 AIE Awards 2024 Winners

Celebrating Our AIE Awards Winners

Last Friday we hosted the first AIE Awards Ceremony, where we recognized the outstanding contributions of our aquaculture community! A heartfelt thanks to everyone who nominated, voted, and participated in making this event a true celebration! We’re grateful to everyone who attended and to our Advisory Committee for their help in making this a meaningful experience for all involved.

For those who couldn’t join live, check out the recording below:

Meet the 2024 AIE Award Winners

There were 22 nominations for eight award categories this year, and nominees garnered 972 votes total. Many of the races were close, but below are the winners who came out on top! Each will receive up to $500 in travel reimbursements for a trip to an aquaculture conference in 2025 along with exclusive AIE swag.

Farmer of the Year

Dewey Houck

Cypress Point Oyster Co.

Excellence in Research

Hannah Colwell

AIS / NOAA

Public Service Award

Sarah Harrington

Collier County

Innovator of the Year

Bill Dewey

Taylor Shellfish Farms

Industry Advocate

Bill Walton

VIMS

Outstanding Educator

Lourdes Gant

Manatee Holdings Ltd.

Extension/Outreach Extraordinaire

Emma Hauser

WI Sea Grant

Student Standout

Matt LaGanke

VIMS

Thanks again to everyone who participated this year! We plan on doing the awards again next year, so please contact us with any suggestions, comments, or questions.

See you on the Exchange!

The AIE Team