Other than keeping aquariums, I can usually be found taking a ride on my motorcycle, going to the beach or spending time with my family outdoors. I also love LOVE to keep and collect house plants. I am always happiest surrounded by nature.
A: Working at Aquarium Co-Op has been quite different than my last couple jobs which were in more of a corporate setting. One of my favorite aspects so far is the amazing people I get to work with every day. From local club representatives, brand ambassadors and my co-workers, there is never a dull moment. I love to make people happy doing what we do and to see the reactions from surprising people with goodies! I also really love the laid-back attitude of everyone around here, we get a lot of things done, but at the end of the day, it’s great to be surrounded by friends.
I obtained my degree in Pennsylvania at Lebanon Valley College – a Bachelor of Science in Digital Communications. As far as the hobby, I primarily aquascape, but I have only competed once so far. I placed sixth in Aquatic Experience’s nano aquascaping competition. I plan to continue competing as much as I can!
Q: What has been your best moment while working for Aquarium Co-Op?A: I’m sure I’ll have many more since I’ve only been around a short time… But, my favorite so far was watching our brand ambassadors open their first care package. Seeing their surprise and excitement was so rewarding!
Q: What do you do in your daily job at Aquarium Co-Op?A: In my daily job here, I work to complete many of our on-going projects and programs in the pipeline. This includes anything from improving the product pages on the website, sending out care packages to ambassadors and members, coordinating with local aquarium clubs for donations and events and doing many other day-to-day tasks and reminders for Cory so that he can focus on larger picture items. Though I am still learning the ropes, I hope to get as many projects completed as I can to continue driving business forward.
Q: What is your favorite fish and why?A: My absolute favorite fish are Golden White Cloud Mountain Minnows. They have so many great aspects. They thrive in tanks without heaters (I usually prefer the aesthetic of a very clean, no equipment aquarium), they’re really pretty, they’re cheap, they’re relatively easy to spawn and I love to watch the males’ flaring behavior. They are just really neat to me!
Q: What would your dream aquarium be?A: My dream aquarium would probably be a giant aquascape in a nature aquarium style. I’ve always wanted to visit Florestas Submersas by Takashi Amano, his largest aquascape. I would like something like that in my house with a couple thousand nano fish schooling around, preferably ones to go with the native habitat of the plants in my giant aquascape. And I would hire staff to take care of it for me
A: I have never met an Aquarium Co-Op product that I would not recommend. One of my favorites is the sponge filter. I have a small size one and it’s perfect for my betta fish, he is never bothered by flow and his water stays really oxygen rich, so he doesn’t have to swim to the surface for air continuously. I also really love Easy Green, I have been using it on my aquascapes for years because I’m all about simplifying. I do a couple pumps with each water change and my plants are extremely healthy and lush. In fact, they’re growing like weeds.