Guy Pizzuti's path to his job as the top seafood executive at US supermarket chain Publix was somewhat out of the ordinary.

"I say I was in the right place at the right time," Pizzutti, who has spent 23 years with the Florida-based retailer, told IntraFish. "Publix actually contacted my boss with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) about the position. However, he declined and recommended me. I assisted Publix on some project work when I was with NMFS -- data requests, industry education and introductions -- and was asked if I would be interested in coming to Publix."