dR. DALE SARVER
RESEARCH FELLOW
One of the original co-founders of Kona Blue Water Farms, Dale is committed to advancing the cause of responsible mariculture as a marine conservation tool. Dale has 40 years of experience in both wild fisheries biology and aquaculture, working with organisms ranging from microalgae to pearl oysters, and of course, marine finfish. Dale now applies his vast experience in providing guidance for Kampachi Farms' various research efforts.
LISA VOLLBRECHT
RESEARCH MANAGER
Lisa co-ordinates our research efforts, manages the team, and works closely with our public and private partners. Her upbringing in the farmlands of Southern Ontario, Canada instilled a great respect for food producers. Paired with a deep-rooted connection to, and passion for, the conservation of our wild places and communal resources, she easily gravitated into open ocean aquaculture. She earned her BSc in Marine and Freshwater Biology from the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
lUCIE lEONARD
oFFICE maNAGER
Lucie has lived in Hawaii since 1995, and is an accomplished small business administrator. She keeps Kampachi Farms on the straight-and-narrow; a one-woman H.R. Department, accounts office, and office manager. Lucie has a B.A. in Business and Economics from Trinity College, Dublin.
Daren Garriques
Researcher & Broodstock Manager
Originally from Ecuador, Daren has been living and working in Hawaii for the past 14 years. He obtained his BA in Marine Science and MS in Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science from University of Hawaii at Hilo and has extensive aquaculture experience with bivalves, crustaceans, finfish and microalgae.
Helen Meigs
Researcher & Hatchery Manager
After several years working in passive ecological monitoring, Helen was driven to find more direct means of ocean resource conservation. This led to a Master’s degree in Marine Biodiversity & Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, focusing on new species for aquaculture. She believes marine resource production should complement conservation goals, and is excited to be a part of the like-minded team at Kampachi Farms.
Julien Stevens
Researcher & Outreach Coordinator
As a member of the research team and the outreach coordinator for Kampachi Farms, Julien is passionate about the marine environment and dedicated to responsible mariculture. Julien has a broad range of professional experience in education, research, and business development and a Master’s degree in Sustainable Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Scotland, and a Bachelors in Biology, University of Hawaii at Hilo.
Cory Hungate
Researcher & Site MAINTENANCE Guru
Cory worked at a State-run salmon hatchery in Alaska after earning a Marine Science degree at University of Hawaii at Hilo. Tiring of snow and despairing at the state of wild fisheries, he returned to the Big Island to join up with Kona Blue Water Farms as a research technician, and transitioned over to Kampachi Farms. His vast aquaculture construction and maintenance experience is integral to the success of the Kona research facility.
Deniz Akin
Algae Researcher
A lifelong fascination with fish and wildlife brought Deniz to study fisheries and aquaculture at Vancouver Island University. After receiving a B.Sc. he raised broodstock salmon for commercial production in British Columbia. Deniz joined the Kampachi Farms team because of his desire to expand his knowledge of aquaculture and its role in saving the seas.
Keelee Martin
Algae Technician
Born and raised in Kailua-Kona, Keelee developed an appreciation for the ocean from an early age. This led her to get her B.S. in Marine Science from UH Hilo. Keelee is a research diver with interests in phycology and science communication. She is thrilled to join the Kampachi Farms team as an algae technician.
Mark Portman
Ecosardine Researcher
Mark has joined Kampachi Farms to focus on the development and commercialization of novel, sustainable aquafeeds. Mark received his BS in Biology at the University of Puget Sound, after which, he worked in aquaculture nutrition research and commercial finfish culture before completing a MS at University of Miami, Rosenstiel School for Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, focused on marine fish nutrition. He has worked as a guide on several rivers in Montana and Mongolia, where he assisted in freshwater fisheries research.
