Northwestern University

University of Maryland Baltimore County

University of Maryland

Loyola University Chicago

Innovator in Coral Reef Restoration,  Life Support Systems Expert

"Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) is a lethal coral disease first reported off the coast of Florida, USA, in 2014. Since then, it has spread rapidly across the Caribbean. The disease affects over 20 coral species. The large geographic scale of this outbreak, the high lethality of the disease lesion, and broad susceptibility among coral species make SCTLD unprecedented in its ecological impact and, most likely, the deadliest coral disease outbreak in history."
-- Coral Disease Health Consortium --

Phase 1 of our plan revolves around building coral gene biobanks, or "ARKS", at multiple locations across the Caribbean region. In partnership with qualified, highly skilled local partners, these Arks hold corals in land-based facilities to prevent them from becoming infected, preserve genetic diversity, and propagate (breed) them to restore the Caribbean's diverse coral reef ecosystems. More than half of coral reefs worldwide have been destroyed by the effects of human activity, global warming and climate change since 1970. This is not a sustainable trend.

We begin our global effort to protect existing coral reef ecosystems and restore damaged ones within the Caribbean Islands Biodiversity Hotspot. Titled "Caribbean Coral Ark", this initiative aims to address the deadly effects of the Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease, rejuvenate damaged coral reefs and regenerate destroyed reef ecosystems.

WYLD PLANET

Principal Advisor, Caribbean Coral Ark Project

Seeking coral restoration collaborators throughout the Caribbean. The Reef Institute has perfected closed life support systems for gene banking corals and microfragmentation. Will design and build systems with collaborators and train staff how to propagate corals for restoration.

The Reef Institute

Caribbean Restoration Coordinator

Designed and built a coral gamete collection system. Trained interns how to operate coral holding systems and monitor water quality. Troubleshoot life support systems. Added efficient air compressor and manifold to create water movement.
The Reef Institute is the only member of the Florida Coral Rescue Project not affiliated with an aquarium or university. 
MISSION: CORAL REEF CONSERVATION THROUGH EDUCATION, RESEARCH, AND RESTORATION. The Reef Institute are experts in recirculating coral propagation systems which may be used for asexual microfragmentation, or for sexual assisted evolution techniques. The Reef Institute provides high quality aquatic environmental experiences for schools and camps.

Senior Coral Scientist

Headed to St Croix to establish the Coral Innovation Hub - an on-land coral farm to grow massive stony corals and increase the diversity of corals used to restore reefs in East End Marine Park. Developed a modular system of raceways and an efficient and simple life support system. The system is scalable and easy to replicate. Designed a coral lab consisting of 3 modified shipping containers. Hired an architect to develop drawings and to get local permits and approvals.  Completed Contracts and Grants training. Wrote and executed a $315K contract to build the lab. I wrote a DIY guide to build a closed life support system for 6-8 raceways to propagate stony coral for restoration. Connect with me and request a copy if interested. Learned how to do photomosaic 3D mapping for ongoing monitoring.

The Nature Conservancy

Coral Biologist

Attended the first Coral Restoration Workshop held at the Mote Marine Lab, Elizabeth Moore International  Center for Coral Reef Research and Restoration on Summerland Key, Florida USA, lead by Dr. David Vaughan.  Learned how to develop in-water nurseries (building coral trees) and land based nurseries (for the massive corals.) Made coral plugs, practiced micro-fragging corals with a diamond band saw, and learned re-skinning techniques.   Explored sexual reproduction opportunities; how to care for larvae and encourage settlement.

Coral Propagation Workshop

Coral Practitioner

Directed the construction and operation of a new $7M public aquarium experience at ViaPort|Rotterdam. Problem solved many issues related to the importation of the aquarium components from Turkey. Designed, built and commissioned life support systems, Guided construction of 37 exhibits which total 100,000 gallons of water. Assembled, hired, supervised, and trained a workforce of 41 employees. Formulated the budget. Ensured that the institution was profitable; tracked revenue and contained costs. Selected species for displays. Sourced all animals. Created a sea plane travel theme where guests circle the world virtually with stops in the Adirondacks, Lake Malawi, Chao Phraya River, Hudson River, Amazon River, American Samoa, Cape Cod, California Kelp Forest, Hawaii and the Florida Keys. Children stamp passports at 8 ports of call to receive an explorer's patch. Developed supplemental interactive exhibits to enhance the guest experience such as; digital signage for interpretation, Liquid Galaxy (which provides 180 degree underwater street views of reefs around the world), and an augmented reality sandbox (to teach visitors about watersheds.)  More than 100K guests enjoyed the aquarium in the first 100 days. 250K visitors in the first 10 months generated $4M in revenue: exceeding expectations in a relatively small market. 

Via Aquarium is on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/ViaAquarium/>  
Achieved  a 4.2 rating with more than 800 reviews.
On twitter at <https://twitter.com/ViaAquarium>
Website: <https://viaaquarium.com/>
Prezi: <https://prezi.com/tmf6nlhtyw0r/via-aquarium-celebrates-aquatic-biodiversity-through-exhibit/>
Honored to receive the 2017 "Business Innovation Award" from The Chamber of Schenectady County

Via Aquarium

Director - General Manager

BEACH is an acronym for Baha Mar Ecological Aquatic Conservation Habitat. 
I went to the Bahamas to direct the opening of an environmental education center at the new $3.5B Baha Mar resort which was scheduled to open late spring 2015. Interviewed and hired more than 60 Biologists and Guest Services/Operations staff. Arranged Certified interpretive Guide training for all customer facing staff in order to develop a strong conservation message based program. Guided operation of a large 175,000 gallon aquarium pool where guests have an intimate and immersive experience snorkeling with sharks, stingrays and sea turtles in a safe and controlled environment.  Commissioned Life Support Systems and filled pool with nurse sharks, sea turtles, stingrays and 600+ tropical reef fish. Implemented plans to display and breed Bahama native and endangered parrots in a free flight aviary, as well as one of the unique native iguana species. Arranged to display a Flamboyance of  Flamingos, the national bird of the Bahamas.   Off the beach is an artificial reef which attracts marine life - I had seen eagle rays and green sea turtles. The Hobby Horse Nature Reserve is a freshwater marsh area has been restored; developed an interpretation plan for native fauna and arranged to make this area available for kayak excursions .  Birders had reported seeing whistling ducks there. Executed an MOU with the Cape Eleuthera Institute to promote their ongoing research with sharks, sea turtles and stingrays.  Opening had been delayed indefinitely due to owner filing for bankruptcy protection in June 2015.

Baha Mar

Director of BEACH Experience

The Wild Center is a hybrid of Natural History Museum, Aquarium and Science Center located in the center of the 6 million acre wilderness area in upstate New York called the Adirondacks. I managed the living collection of Adirondack native animals and the biologists who care for them at this fabulous museum that opened July 4, 2006. Within the museum are 50 enclosures with more than 42,000 gallons of water maintained by 11 life support systems, and adjacent is a 3 million-gallon man-made pond with trout. The museum displays more than 70 animal species, including otters, porcupine, skunks, owls, ravens, turtles, amphibians, insects and fish. I was involved with the start-up and commissioning of the life support systems, and implemented the acquisition of the animals. I performed more than 150 public presentations yearly with live animals. We installed NOAA Science on a Sphere in June 2012 and I learned how to use this amazing technology to explain climate change to visitors. I created program content and presentations. The Wild Center was the first LEED Silver certified museum in New York - check out the "New Path"​ online exhibit. One goal of the museum is to give visitors new ways to look at nature, so I researched content for an exhibit on Biomimicry called "Mother of Invention"​ which ran in 2009 but still available online below. "Like" The Wild Center on Facebook - I contributed content.

The Wild Center

Curator

Maritech bred and raised marine food fish - Proaquatix bred and raised marine ornamental species and operated C Quest in Puerto Rico from March 2004 – April 2006.  I was the Principle Liaison with Zoos, Aquariums and other institutions to promote the use of aquaculture raised marine fish.  I worked primarily with the ornamental species division, though sold several of the food fish to public aquariums as well. While caring for ornamental broodstock.  I developed a technique that resulted in a successful hybrid between a maroon clownfish and an ocellaris clownfish. Revenue was increasing exponentially. Unfortunately Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne destroyed the Florida facilities in September 2004.

Proaquatix

Institutional Sales Manager

I was responsible for the initial start-up, stocking and continued operation of the first "Aquarium" restaurant that opened in October 1998.  The project cost $7M to build, and is a key component of the Kemah Boardwalk. I then helped develop a $40M+ Aquarium/entertainment complex for downtown Houston; Involved in planning, designing and building the aquarium components. The project features 46 aquarium exhibits totaling more than 500,000 gallons, in five theme areas.  Opened February 17, 2003. When Landry's purchased Rainforest Cafes in October 2000 I became Corporate Curator and directed animal care practices and procedures for 26 locations.  I supervised five Regional Curators, 22 Curators, and more than 50 Animal Care Specialists sustaining 98 exhibit tanks totaling about 225,000 gallons. I commissioned the Life Support Systems and initially stocked new Rainforest Cafés that opened at Disneyland in Anaheim in January 2001 and in Galveston, TX in January 2003.

Landry's Restaurants

Director of Animal Care

Hired, trained, supervised, and evaluated paid staff and approximately 30 volunteers.  Interpreted marine environmental and coastal policy issues utilizing live exhibits and education programs to more than 300,000 visitors per year. Developed budget and was accountable for accomplishment of objectives. Increased visitation by 20% and doubled revenue. Negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to promote NOAA programs and to improve the National Aquarium. Reorganized and re-branded the aquarium to promote the NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries and National Estuarine Research Reserves program. Produced exhibits on several National Marine Sanctuaries (NMS); Grays Reef NMS, Florida Keys NMS, Monterey Bay NMS, and Narragansett Bay NERR. Purchased supplies and negotiated contracts for exhibit construction and renovation. Organized lectures and special events. Solicited and received grants from NOAA, Chevron, American Fishing Tackle Manufacturers Association, Coors Pure Water 2000, and Chevy Chase Bank.  Increased National Aquarium Society reserves from ~$300K to $2M.

The National Aquarium in Washington, DC

Director/General Manager

Hired initially to assist with the operational start-up of this facility that included exhibit design and construction, filtration design and installation, and collection, transportation and care of the animal collection. Directly responsible for the Atlantic Coral Reef, a 335,000- gallon exhibit featuring more than 1000 animals collected from the Florida Keys. I was instrumental in establishing successful annual specimen collecting expeditions to Key West, Florida. Founded the National Aquarium Divers program in December 1981; recruited, tested, trained and supervised more than 60 volunteers who SCUBA dive to feed the animals, maintain the exhibit aesthetics, and interpret the exhibit to visitors. Successfully propagated captive bonnethead sharks, August 1987. Wrote and edited scientific information for identification labels and graphics. Member of the Animal Policy Committee; formed to recommend animal husbandry policies and procedures to the Board of Directors.

National Aquarium

Senior Aquarist/Manager of Volunteer Diver Program

Aquatic Biologist - Overall responsibility for maintaining a boat and for collecting and specialized equipment. Procuring of local freshwater and saltwater specimens. Developed, constructed and interpreted a Sea Anemone Gallery and renovated an exhibit featuring tropical freshwater fish. Researched, wrote and edited interpretive information. Taught and acted as First Mate for a 4 week Marine Biology class that included one week aboard the research vessel Coral Reef in the Florida Keys. Organized specimen-collecting expeditions to the Bahamas and Florida Keys. Presented daily diver shows in the 90,000 gallon Atlantic Coral Reef.

David Gross