Based in Southern California, John Blazevich founded Contessa Premium Foods. As the former president and chief executive officer, John Blazevich led one of North America’s leading international food manufacturers, with a range of products that included seafood, vegetables, and frozen meals. A core commitment at Contessa was to sustainable seafood, which is uniquely relevant against a backdrop of growing food demand and limited terrestrial resources to feed an increasing population. With intensive livestock practices, soil erosion, and substandard farm management all contributing factors, the amount of productive soil on the planet is no longer enough to comfortably meet the demands of a population that is nearing 8 billion. Mr. Blazevich’s response to this was to emphasize the importance of aquacultural farms, which supply an ever-larger percentage of the Earth’s shellfish and finfish consumption needs. He positioned Contessa to develop and refine next-generation aquacultural techniques capable of meeting the expanding demand while ensuring a healthy planet. This was accomplished with a focus on sustainability, and in 2010, Contessa became the first-ever supplier of imported farm-raised shrimp to achieve Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program’s “Good Alternative” recognition.