Oversee all facets of a privately owned and operated business, from marketing and sales to contract writing and accounts receivable. Duties include project interpretation, negotiation, budget generation, team organization, materials acquisition, insurance and regulatory compliance, concept design, and construction of aquatic systems for residential and commercial applications. Includes but not limited to water features, animal exhibits, small ponds, aquaculture systems and the occasional monument.

VICE PRESIDENT OF FACILITY OPERATIONS: FACILITY, LIFE SUPPORT AND WATER QUALITY OPERATIONS, DIVE SAFETY, BUILDING SECURITY & HOUSEKEEPING Oversight of all aspects of the Mississippi Aquarium’s daily operations. Taking major leadership roles in the implementation of educational programming, animal selection and acquisition, graphic development, and habitat narratives. Working with staff to establish patterns of routine maintenance for building structure, debugging newly constructed systems as well as fine tuning of life support systems to achieve highest animal health and welfare while also creating aesthetic appeal. Collaborating with federal regulatory and best practice benchmark agencies (USDA, OSHA, AMMPA, AZA, MDR, etc.) to foster a safe and homeostatic environment for animals to flourish, staff to feel empowered and guests to enjoy, learn and become inspired about Mississippi’s gulf coast and the wonderous animals that make it their home.

DIRECTOR OF FACILITY OPERATIONS: FACILITY & LIFE SUPPORT OPERATION, WATER QUALITY, DIVE SAFETY, BUILDING SECURITY & HOUSEKEEPING Oversight and direction of staff, general contractor and architects during construction process of the Mississippi Aquarium and its support facilities. Worked with state and federal government purchasing authorities to help equip startup operation, acquire and collect animals and facilitate moves to safe, prepared habitats. Provided avenue to institution to align with local, state and federal purchasing of various items, from every day operations needs and mobile animal transports systems and research vessels. Authoring upstart of various policies, protocols, procedures for Mississippi Aquarium. Preparing job descriptions and hiring entire teams for various sections within my oversight. All while accomplished while navigating and enduring 2020 pandemic.

Deeply involved in management, oversight and creation of all exhibit and life support modifications and upgrades. Including concept design, product development and strategic planning. Generation and monitoring of schedules and setting project milestones. Preparation of budgets and reconciliation of expenses. Arbitrate and negotiate contracts. Manage contractors while onsite and coordinate with HFE Creative Services. Coordinate and oversee both Water quality and Dive Safety staff and ensure they and the 100+ volunteers are getting training on and adhering to HFE, AZA and or OSHA guidelines, protocols and regulations.

Oversee all aspects and duties of the Husbandry Operations Manager with added accountabilities of aiding with creative and strategic idea development for exhibit modification, design and construction. Craft and manage veterinary and dive safety budgets as well as plan professional development for these staff.

Continued with all aspects of Water Quality Lab Supervisor position while adding management and prioritization of life support projects, including budget generation, contractor coordination and development of new exhibit components.

Responsible for chemical pricing, ordering and inventory. Generated and managed of Water Quality Lab budget. Updated testing methods, established protocols to meet or exceed quality control parameters. Conducted annual staff reviews and new technology research and development. Identified problematic trends and helped bridge communication gaps between life support, animal care and veterinary staff.

Performed various daily water quality tests on fresh, brackish, and marine water systems. Including pH, salinity, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, dissolved oxygen, ORP, AA, copper, conductivity, alkalinity, hardness (Mg & Ca), coliform, etc. Create and edit testing methods and schedule. Monitor and manipulate ozone applied dose. Oversee and modify the production of synthetic saltwater. Supervise daily tank maintenance performed by numerous volunteer divers. Familiarity of Excel and Access software for data recording and reporting. Certified Dive Master.

Assisted in all husbandry aspects of opening a new facility. Including exhibits aesthetics and life support construction, creation and preparation of synthetic saltwater recipe specific to host water supply, and monitored daily water quality readiness in preparation for exhibit stocking.

Performed various water quality testing, chemically monitored and oversaw creation and preparation of synthetic saltwater recipe and distribution of ozone. When time allowed aided aquatic biologist with food preparation, assisted dive safety officer with life support operators to surveying system functionality