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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.
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 Member, Aquacultural Engineering Society
- Former Board Member, California Aquaculture Association
- Board Member, National Aquaculture Association
- Board Member, World Aquaculture Suppliers Association.
- Member, Western Regional Aquacultural Center Industry Advisory Council
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Wendy Porter-Francis, Vice President, Aquaneering
- 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
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| Customer Sales & Support |
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Bobbi Baur, 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
- Board Member, Zebrafish Husbandry Association (ZHA)
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Emily Cassidy, Midwest 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
- 11 years experience in aquatic housing industry
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Kendra Minkler, West Coast Sales and Technical Support
- B.S. Communications/Marketing (San Diego State University)
- A.S. Business Administration (College of the Canyons, Valencia, CA)
- 2 years experience with inside sales for Aquaneering, Inc.
- Sales, website development, graphics, and marketing experience
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Thom Gilbert, Installation Manager
- B.A. in Biology with minor in Business Administration (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
- Member - World Aquaculture Society
Brian Erickson, Installation Journeyman Technician
- A.S. Business (Palomar College)
- Five years experience as fabricator/installer of commercial and high end aquaria
- Knowledgeable in aquatic system filtration
- Pipe fitter apprentice
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Calvin Javier, Installation Technician
- B.S. Zoology (UC Santa Barbara)
- Over 4 years experience in fish conservation and culture of fish and invertabrates
- Knowledge of aquatic husbandry, water quality and chemistry
- Design and construction experience with aquaculture systems
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Mark Mackenzie, Installation Technician
- B.S. Biology (San Diego State University)
- 15 years experience in aquatic husbandry
- Extensive knowledge of water quality and chemistry
- Design and construction experience with wide variety of aquatic systems
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Brad Tobias, Installation Journeyman 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
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| Manufacturing/Quality Assurance |
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Bruce Petrites, General Manager
- 8 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
John Gervais, Filtration Division Supervisor
- B.S. in Aquaculture (Texas A&M University)
- Over 16 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
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Erik Diaz, Assistant Manager, Plastics and Filtration
- B.A. Fine Arts (Kean University)
- 5 years experience in aluminum manufacturing
- Knowledgeable in aquatic system filtration
- Metal layout, design, and installation experience
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Scott Schmutzler, Shipping and Safety Supervisor
- Over 18 years experience in shipping/receiving
- Certified Forklift Operator/Trainer
- Safety Manager/OSHA Compliance Officer
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Congratulations to the 2012 'Art of Science' Photomicrography Calendar Contest More |
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