Advancing innovation & growth in Maine's food, agriculture, & aquaculture ecosystem.
About / Team
Jason Mitchell
FoodTech Maine Program Manager
Jason is an operations management executive, entrepreneur, and consultant passionate about leading in complex environments. Most recently, Jason is the Principal Consultant and Owner of Steamboat Road Consulting, an operations management consulting firm offering services to improve and integrate people, processes, and technology in the maritime, aquaculture, and manufacturing industries. Jason is also a Co-Founder of Norfolk Green Ventures (NGV), an investment company focused on helping the seaweed industry reach its potential.
Jason has experience in the food value chain and associated technology and innovation. Engaging in the seaweed industry has given him experience in food production, harvesting, processing, and consumer product goods (CPG). He is also an investor and supporter of a grain company called Einkorn Revival, currently focused on the California market with intentions of coming to the East Coast next year. Additionally, mentor roles in MCE’s Top Gun and Cultivator programs have widened Jason’s Maine small business network in working with companies such as Aurora Farm and Mills, Aphrodite Oyster, Islesboro Marine, and Survue / Tidal Bore.
email: jmitchell@mced.biz
Lydia Swann
FoodTech Maine Project Manager
Lydia Swann is a seasoned project manager with a decade of experience leading successful cross-functional projects across various industries, including higher education, financial services, and nonprofits. She has led the development of multiple business development, education, and networking programs within Maine’s business and nonprofit communities. Her strategic planning experience, implementation skills, and collaborative approach to stakeholder engagement ensure consistent achievement of timely and effective project completion.
Lydia recently earned her M.S. in Project Management at the Roux Institute at Northeastern University, where she gained additional skills and expertise to deliver complex and innovative projects on time and within budget.
email: lswann@mced.biz
Alex Shapiro
FoodTech Maine Associate Project Manager
Alex is a sustainability and environmental advocate with a Bachelor's degree in Organismal Biology and Ecology from Colorado College. Her focus on plant physiology and research sparked her commitment to preserving the natural world.
After gaining project management experience at a small company, she joined Steamboat Road Consulting in January 2023. Alex supports diverse clients, from land-based Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) farms to local seaweed startups, leveraging her operational experience and research background. Driven by her passion for combating climate change, Alex is excited about the future of Maine's aquaculture and food-tech industries, where she aims to make a positive impact and contribute to a sustainable future.
email: ashapiro@mced.biz
