Posted 2:28 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016
Alum carves a niche in the Alaskan seafood industry.
[caption id="attachment_5173" align="alignleft" width="685"]
Wink caught the fishing bug once he moved to Alaska. He also caught a 160-pound halibut.[/caption]
Andy Wink[/caption]
Wink has since moved back to Minnesota and works remotely for the industry. Part of his job is helping reporters and others who request specific data. His work put him on a reporter’s list two years in a row as the top fish economist.
While it’s not international honor, for Wink it’s recognition of his hard work and self-described ‘hustling’ work pace. “I’ve been able to maximize the education I got at UWL,” says Wink. “I feel like I’ve gotten such a good return on the school because it gave me a solid foundation.”
One of the projects he’s proudest of relates to research on estimates of illegal, unreported and unregulated crab fishing in Russia, one of Alaska’s biggest competitors. “It wasn't the goal of the project, but once I dug into the harvest and trade data, it became apparent and possible to estimate,” says Wink. “Those estimates have gotten a lot of attention in the seafood industry.”
Wink’s knowledge of the industry goes beyond crunching numbers, such as 60 percent of fresh fish caught and sold in the U.S. comes from Alaskan waters. He’s experienced the trade as well. “I didn’t fish a lot while growing up,” he says. “I caught the bug once I went to Alaska.”
He’s fished on a variety of commercial ships, including crab fishing. Wink has also started fishing for sport, including nabbing a rather impressive halibut — about six feet long and 160 pounds.
“I found success because I was motivated and carved a niche in an industry that needed it,” says Wink. “That’s my advice for new graduates. If you can’t find an opportunity, make one.”
Wink caught the fishing bug once he moved to Alaska. He also caught a 160-pound halibut.[/caption]
Alum carves a niche in the Alaskan seafood industry
If you would have asked Andy Wink, ’02, years ago if he would make a career in the Alaskan fish scene, he likely would have laughed. The economics and finance double major grew up on a farm in rural Minnesota, attended UWL, did a quick stint in Chicago at the Board of Trade, and then found himself heading to the Pacific Ocean in Alaska. That was the start of his 10-year career that involves various economic aspects of the fishing market in Alaska. “Thanks to the schooling I got at UWL, I’ve been able to adapt and do something I never saw myself doing,” says Wink. “And I’ve enjoyed it.” [caption id="attachment_5106" align="alignright" width="300"] Andy Wink[/caption]
Wink has since moved back to Minnesota and works remotely for the industry. Part of his job is helping reporters and others who request specific data. His work put him on a reporter’s list two years in a row as the top fish economist.
While it’s not international honor, for Wink it’s recognition of his hard work and self-described ‘hustling’ work pace. “I’ve been able to maximize the education I got at UWL,” says Wink. “I feel like I’ve gotten such a good return on the school because it gave me a solid foundation.”
One of the projects he’s proudest of relates to research on estimates of illegal, unreported and unregulated crab fishing in Russia, one of Alaska’s biggest competitors. “It wasn't the goal of the project, but once I dug into the harvest and trade data, it became apparent and possible to estimate,” says Wink. “Those estimates have gotten a lot of attention in the seafood industry.”
Wink’s knowledge of the industry goes beyond crunching numbers, such as 60 percent of fresh fish caught and sold in the U.S. comes from Alaskan waters. He’s experienced the trade as well. “I didn’t fish a lot while growing up,” he says. “I caught the bug once I went to Alaska.”
He’s fished on a variety of commercial ships, including crab fishing. Wink has also started fishing for sport, including nabbing a rather impressive halibut — about six feet long and 160 pounds.
“I found success because I was motivated and carved a niche in an industry that needed it,” says Wink. “That’s my advice for new graduates. If you can’t find an opportunity, make one.”