Bob Zeitlin, Co-Founder
A sailor in his youth, a naval officer in his twenties, and a long career as a working archaeologist and professor of anthropology at Brandeis University—all have figured into his deep love of the ocean and desire to understand and protect it. Having heard some years ago about the ecological value and sustainability of oyster production, he saw the cold, clear ocean water off his home in Friendship as an ideal location for a small oyster farm. And thus his role in retirement as a co-founder of the Deer Landing Oyster Company was cemented.
Dave Gleason, Co-Founder
David C. “Dave” Gleason has enjoyed the waters of Muscongus Bay since his birth, spending summers at his family’s Martin Point cottage, Narramissic, right here in Friendship. An avid sailor, he is one of only a few who can claim that they sailed in the first Chowder Cup in 1979; first on Triumvirate (27’ Pearson) and more recently on Turtle (37’ Bostrum). When Dave was offered the opportunity to join his good friends Bob Zeitlin, Jeremy Zeitlin, and Ernie Wallace to create Deer Landing Oyster Company, he jumped at the opportunity. “Cultivating a delicious Oyster from a 9 mm seedling is a genuine thrill!”
Jeremy Zeitlin, Co-Founder
Like much of the team, Jeremy’s background is wide ranging. Among other things, he’s logged many hours in the food service industry—working in professional kitchens, tending bar, and even starting his own beverage company. He’s also worked on issues surrounding food sustainability; he previously managed a nonprofit that focused both on eliminating problems of food access and on reducing food waste in the production/distribution system. As a kid, he sterned on lobster boats, and the love of Maine’s oceans and seafood industry never left him. So after years of talking about starting an oyster farm with his dad, and with a kick in the pants from Dave, they decided to fish or cut bait—and the result is Deer Landing Oyster Company.
Ernie Wallace, Co-Owner
Ernie comes from many generations of Friendship lobstermen and has been working on the water his entire life. The captain of F/V “Reel Catch” and owner-manager of Wallace’s Lobster Co-op, Ernie has his hand in a wide range of work, from deep-sea lobstering, to tuna fishing, scalloping, and bait fishing—among other things. Always looking to diversify, he joins Deer Landing Oyster Company with critical knowledge and skills to help make the operation run more smoothly.
Otis Underfoot, Intern
Originally from Turner, Maine, Otis is a dog. He comes from a long line of golden retrievers, and so his contributions include sniffing, chewing things, sleeping on boots, and generally just getting in the way. He is very soft, though, so we let him get away with it. Woof.