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Aquaneering’s Expertise unites Biology and Engineering to create durable Systems for Aquatics Research and Fish Farming. Our degreed professionals in Aquaculture, Agricultural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Marine Biology provide the expertise for product design. Fabrication is then executed by experienced Project Managers with decades of success in manufacturing, installing, and, maintaining complex systems including Shrimp Maturation, Zebrafish, Xenopus and other Aquatic Species Research, Fish Breeding and Fish Transport. We offer a team of dedicated and talented installation and maintenance technicians. Our manufacturing facility in San Diego, California has in-house metal fabrication and system integration. We are proud to say that our products are Made In The USA.
 Mark Francis, President
Pioneering Solutions at Aquaneering
Aquaneering has grown from a part-time aquaculture supply business to the internationally recognized leader in the manufacture and engineering of fluidized bed biofiltration systems for aquatic housing and aquaculture. Mark Francis, president and owner of Aquaneering Inc., received his B.S. in agricultural engineering from the University of Maine in 1978. He then moved to California where he worked as a manager for a commercial fish farm. Here, Mark began designing and building equipment for the farm, everything from paddlewheel aerators to feeders.
In 1988 Mark began working with Dr. Dallas Weaver, and started manufacturing his fluidized bed biofilters for recirculating systems. This revolutionary new filter system is able to maintain superior water quality with undetectable levels of ammonia, a major technological advance for the aquaculture industry.
While working as chief engineering for a manufacturing plant in San Diego, Mark founded a fish farm equipment supply business, and appropriately named it Aquaneering. The company focus shifted with the industry, and the emphasis changed from large farm equipment to recirculating systems.
Aquaneering now has an international client base with successful installations throughout the United States and the world. Since 1996, fluidized bed biofilter systems have been proven to be superior biological filtration for applications requiring the highest water quality, such as Zebrafish genetics research.
Aquaneering is committed to providing the biomedical research community with the highest quality equipment, consulting, installation, and service.
| Engineering |
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Mark Francis, President Aquaneering
- B.S. in Agricultural Engineering w/emphasis in Aquaculture (University of Maine)
- Founded Aquaneering, 1988
- Developed Fluidized Bed Biofilters currently used throughout the aquaculture industry
- Over 25 years experience engineering in manufacturing and aquaculture environments
- Current Board Member Aquacultural Engineering Society, former Board Member California Aquaculture Association, Board Member National Aquaculture Association, Board Member World Aquaculture Suppliers Association.
Chad Carnevale, Lead Engineer
- B.S. Mechanical Engineering (San Diego State University)
- Lead Engineer; experienced product design manufacturing engineer
Ian Worobey, Mechanical Engineer
- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (San Diego State University)
- EIT (Engineer in Training)
Wendy Chen, Mechanical Engineer
- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (University of California, San Diego)
- Fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese Chinese
| Customer Sales & Support |
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Rory Francis, Technical Services Manager
- B.A. Economics (San Diego State University)
- Over 9 years experience at Aquaneering
- Company expert on Monitoring and Control Systems
- Key contact for Technical Customer Support via phone and site visits
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Bobbi Baur, Inside Sales Manager
- B.A. in Political Science (San Diego State University)
- Over 15 years manufacturing project management experience
- Responsible for adherence to stringent government and private industry requirements including specifications, documentation and inspections
- MIL-I-45208 Quality Assurance program initiation and oversight
- Member-AALAS
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Emily Cassidy, East Coast Sales and Technical Support
- B.S. Animal Science (Purdue University)
- A.A. Veterinary Technology (Purdue University)
- AALAS Tech (LATG) Certification
- Aquatic Animal Care, Use, Handling Certificate (Atlantic Veterinary College)
- 8 years Experience as an Animal Lab Technologist at U Notre Dame
- 5 years Experience as an Aquatic Lab Manager at U Notre Dame
- 9 years Experience in Aquatic Housing Industry
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| Sales & Support |
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Kendra Minkler, Inside Sales
- B.S. Communications/Marketing (San Diego State University)
- A.S. Business Administration (College of the Canyons, Valencia Ca.)
- Sales, Website Development, Graphics, and Marketing Experience
| Installation |
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Thom Gilbert, Installation Manager
- B.A. in Biology with Business Administration, minor (Loyola Marymount University)
- M.S. in Fishery Science (Oregon State University)
- 6 years experience with phytoplankton, zooplankton, mollusk, and finfish aquaculture system construction and research
- 4 years experience with public aquariums and animal husbandry
- 10 years experience with aquatic system design, research, and animal husbandry
- 2 years experience as project manager for elite custom home construction
- Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society Member
- World Aquaculture Society Member
Brian Erickson, Installation Technician
- A.S. Business (Palomar College)
- Four years experience as fabricator/installer of commercial and high end aquaria
- Knowledgeable in aquatic system filtration
- Pipe fitter apprentice
Brad Tobias, Installation Technician
- A.S. Criminal Justice (University of Toledo)
- 6 years Experience Large Marine Aquarium Systems (installation, maintenance)
- Knowledgeable in aquatic system filtration
- Owned and operated own Marine Aquarium Business for 6 years
| Manufacturing/Quality Assurance |
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Bruce Petrites, General Manager
- 5 years experience as General Manager at Aquaneering responsible for two manufacturing divisions and Quality Assurance
- 8 years previous experience as project and program manager in aerospace industry for both commercial and government contracts involving engineering construction
- 5 years construction oversight and 25 years mechanical design
Warren “Jim” Schlauch, Metal Division Supervisor
- Over 20 years experience as manufacturing supervisor/production manager for sheet metal, structural steel, machinery fabrication, welding, layout and fitting of metals, bellows, and aerospace products.
- AutoCAD, CADKey, VisualCADD, SolidWorks
- 10 years U.S. Navy Metal Fabrication Supervisor
John Gervais, Filtration Division Supervisor
· B.S. in Aquaculture (Texas A&M University)
· Over 11 years experience as a Shrimp Aquaculturist Professional in U.S. and Ecuador
· 12 years experience in tropical fish aquarium business
· Owned tropical fish retail business for 5 years
Scott Schmutzler, Shipping & Safety Supervisor
- 15 years experience in Shipping/Receiving
- Certified Forklift Operator/Trainer
- Safety Manager/OSHA Compliance Officer
| Financial/Office Management |
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Wendy Porter-Francis, Vice President
- B.A. Sociology (University of Maine)
- Business partner in Aquaneering since 1988
- Over 27 years experience as a business owner/manager
- Supervisor of accounting and human relations staff and staff support with Accounting and IT consultants
- Master Photographer, CPP (Professional Photographers of America), A.S. Photography (San Diego City College)
- Oversees public relations and marketing
Barbara Afkhami, Accounting Manager
- A.S. Business Accounting (Mt. San Antonio College, Walnut, CA)
- Over 13 years experience in accounting, financial analysis, inventory control,
commission tracking
- Certified ISO Auditor 9002 supporting Government and International Contracts
Dana Card, Accounts Payable & Purchasing
- B.S. Business Administration, Emphasis on Accounting (National University, San Diego, CA)
- A.S. Business Administration (Grossmont College)
- Notary Public
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What's New |
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Aquaneering has exciting news: our support staff is expanding! Our current East More |
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It's time once again for the Aquaneering 'Art of Science' Photomicrography More |
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An article written by Aquaneering's Sales Manager, Bobbi Baur, was published in More |
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