MEET THE
LOCAL OCEAN TEAM

LEADERSHIP TEAM

A woman in a green hoodie holding a tray with salmon fillets in a seafood market.

AMBER MORRIS

Leadership Team

Fish Goddess | 2007
Meet Amber Morris, our resident Fish Goddess who graces our Bayfront location with her expertise five days a week. With a keen passion for seafood, she dedicates her time to answering all your questions about the ocean's bounty. When she's not pounding the docks in search of the day's freshest catch, you'll find her behind the fish case, skillfully filleting and wrapping your evening meals.
Amber's love for community radiates through the close relationships she nurtures with valued customers and the more than 70 local fishermen she collaborates with. Expect a warm greeting and a familiarity that goes beyond a mere transaction—Amber is known for remembering faces, names, and even your children's Chinese sun signs. It's not uncommon to hear her affectionately refer to your little ones as "that little monkey" or ask about your "little rooster."
In our tight-knit community, Amber is a true gem. Beyond her role at Local Ocean, she shares her time with her mischievous golden retriever, Segar. You might catch them playing on Nye Beach before and after work, embodying the spirit of our coastal haven.
Amber Morris isn't just a Fish Goddess; she's a cornerstone of our community, connecting people to the ocean's treasures and creating memorable experiences one fillet at a time.

Fish Goddess | 2007

Smiling chef in a kitchen wearing a black chef's coat.

Enrique Garcia Aparicio

Leadership Team

Sous Chef | 2011

Chef standing in a kitchen surrounded by fresh produce and kitchenware.

Ken Henson

Board Of Directors

Board Member - At Large

Cassie fithian-barrett

Leadership Team

Hospitality Manager | 2025

Woman with short blonde hair and a gray sweater, gesturing while speaking indoors.

Laura Anderson

Board Of Directors

Founder & Acting CEO | 2002

Founder & CFO
As the founder of Local Ocean, Laura Anderson's journey into the world of seafood is deeply rooted in her upbringing. Hailing from a small boat fishing family, Laura spent summers trolling for salmon and harvesting crab on her dad's commercial fishing boat. Seafood wasn't just a choice for her; it was literally her "bread and butter" growing up, instilling a profound appreciation for the fishing families and crews that supply Local Ocean's daily catch.
Laura's commitment to the oceans extended beyond her early experiences. In her formative years, she worked with artisanal fishermen as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines, followed by a transformative year of international business in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Armed with a master's degree in marine resource management from Oregon State University in 2000, Laura's unconventional path to becoming a restaurateur has proven to be a key factor in Local Ocean's success. Her in-depth understanding of the science and policy of fisheries ensures that every dish served at Local Ocean meets her rigorous "red-face test" for sustainability.
Laura wears many hats in the realm of ocean stewardship. She serves as the director of the Oregon Ocean Science Trust, sits on the board of the Oregon Coast Aquarium, and is a trustee of The Nature Conservancy of Oregon. Laura Anderson is not just the owner; she's a dedicated advocate for sustainable practices, weaving her passion for the seas into both Local Ocean and the broader community.
In 2022, Laura sold Local Ocean into a new form of employee ownership – a Trust Stewardship model. This allowed the great team of people who helped build the Local Ocean brand and business to carry the torch into the next generation. Laura will remain with the Local Ocean team in the role of CFO for several years to help the company fully transition & acclimate to employee ownership.
In 2021, she began a new project – building the Yaquina Lab and the non-profit Central Coast Food Web, several miles up Yaquina Bay Road. The Lab & the CCFW provides shared space and equipment at low risk and low cost to seafood businesses, lowering the barriers to direct-marketing food in our community. The stated goals of the CCFW are to: 1) Improve local food security in rural and underserved communities; 2) Capture and retain fisheries’ natural economic value in coastal communities; 3) Improve ocean literacy among coastal residents, coastal visitors, all Oregonians and beyond; 4) Support climate friendly food solutions that reduce food miles and food waste through 100% fish utilization and the development of local supply chains.

Teri Gonzales

Board Of Directors

Leadership Team

Office & HR Manager | 2017

Office & HR Manager 2017 
Teri joined Local Ocean as an Office Assistant in 2017 before quickly advancing to her current role as Office and HR Manager. On top of 15 years’ worth of Bookkeeping, HR, and Office administration, she brings invaluable experience as a business owner herself. Teri's in-depth knowledge of restaurant operations, respect for all departments, and genuine friendliness make her a fan favorite among the staff. Though she spends most of her time working behind-the-scenes, Teri is an integral and cherished part of the Local Ocean team.

Bartender in black uniform standing in front of a well-stocked bar with bottles and glasses on shelves in the background.

Colt Deitrick

Leadership Team

Bar Manager | 2018

Darlene Khalafi

Leadership Team

Business Innovation Specialist - 100% Fish Program | 2025

Man in a turquoise shirt and striped tie holding a pen and tablet, sitting outdoors with parked vehicles in the background.

Tony Bixler

Chief Operating Officer | 2018

Board Of Directors

Leadership Team

President | 2018
Joining Local Ocean in 2018, Tony brought a wealth of experience to our team with a decade of expertise in both culinary and service operations within the restaurant industry. Starting as Kitchen Manager, his exceptional contributions were swiftly recognized by his peers, earning him not one, but two Local Ocean annual awards in his first year—the Team Player Award and the Bright Ideas Award.
In 2019, Tony's dedication and leadership qualities led to a well-deserved promotion to General Manager. Adored by both the Local Ocean team and our cherished customers, Tony infuses his work with an infectious attitude, a repertoire of goofy jokes, and a wholehearted commitment every single day.
In 2022 when Local Ocean transitioned to employee ownership, his role again changed, stepping onto the executive team as COO. Today, he is currently serving as President.
Tony is not just a manager; he's an integral part of what makes Local Ocean a welcoming and thriving community, where passion for food and dedication to exceptional service come together seamlessly.