Adam Cohen, Director
Education Committee
Adam began Green Phoenix Farms in 2009 as an outgrowth of his desire to do what he could to provide a better world for his son Morgan. He has over 10 years experience in education, teaching all levels from middle and high school classes to community education workshops. Adam has taught over 1,500 students and given presentations promoting the ease and simplicity of producing your own food from an aquaponics system.
Chris Schup, Director
Public Relations Committee
The PR Committee manages all aspects of the Association’s marketing, advertising and public relations.
Chris brings over 20 years of successful art direction, project management, design and photography experience to the Association. Leveraging her creative career with a passion for organic agriculture and sustainable living, she develops a wide range of communication products focused on promoting the benefits of aquaponics. A mainstay in the live music scene, Chris performs drums and percussion with local bands in Richmond, VA.
Dr. Michelle Thomas, Director
Aquaponics Health Committee
Dr. Thomas is a native of New York City who now makes Washington DC her home. She is a physician and entrepreneur married to writer of fiction, Milton Parirsh. Dr. Thomas received from medical education at Rutgers Medical School, Surgery Internship and Residency was completed at The Brooklyn Hospital and Trauma-Critical Care fellowship at the University of Maryland R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center.
Dr. Thomas finds gardening has been away for keeping mind-body and spirit in focus. Dr. Thomas was first introduced to intensive multidimensional agriculture and aquaponics by Growing Power Inc. in Milwaukee WI, where she completed Commercial Agriculture Training. Dr. Thomas trained in construction deepwater culture and media-based aquaponics in Hawaii. She has received continued education in aquaponics and aquaculture from The School of Freshwater Sciences University of WI, Great Lakes Institute, University of Hawaii and Brunswick Community College N.C. She leads G Food 4U LLC a development company with the goal to integrate urban agriculture and aquaponics with urban renewal. G Food 4U LLC has a intensive grow and aquaponics hoop house under construction in partnership with The Urban Farm of Stapleton, Denver CO. In 2012 Dr Thomas was recruited as the Director of the Aquaponics Association Health Committee with efforts to contribute to dissemination of health and science information related to aquaponics, aquaculture, “food as medicine” foodborne illness, food safety, zoonosis, herbal and medicinal horticulture, nutrition and the microbiome. More health committee members are needed for active participation.
Omar Radwan, Director
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee will help further develop the Region and Branch structure while also focusing on member services, recruitment and retention.
Andy Siemer, Director
Regions
Andrew began Friendly Pastures in 2010 when he moved to Elgin Texas. His primary motivations for farming were initially focused on providing better food options for his large family. After doing a great deal of research around the US food industry he decided to take his farm to the next level in order to provide healthy food options to the surrounding areas of Austin. It didn’t take long for him to stumble upon the concepts of Aquaponics and various other sustainable farming methods. He and his family are now raising Red Wattle hogs, pasture raised poultry and eggs, sheep, and a variety of produce. Outside of farming, Andrew is a software engineer/architect building and leading large teams and has written many books and articles for the computer programming industry.
Casey Townsend, Director
Conference Committee
The Conference Committee plans and presents the annual Aquaponincs Association conference, workshops, tours and membership meeting.
Casey Townsend is the Founder of the Tucson AquaPonics Project and is the co-owner of a start-up business called Arnavon with Kathryn Townsend, his wife and partner of 27 years. Together they are living, advocating and teaching Integrated Urban Agriculture, Food Security, Food Safety, and Food Freedom.
By day an I.T. Project Manager, most of Casey’s nights and weekends are spent growing things, or teaching other people how to grow things. Casey earned his Master Gardener certification in 1996 and has experience in Drylands Permaculture, 4-H Small Stock Animal Husbandry, Seed Saving and now 4 years of hands-on experience with Aquaponics. Casey and Kathryn have 8 children, and now are enjoying their first grandchild. They live on a 1/5 acre city lot filled with both aquaponic and soil based ‘beyond organic’ gardens and 3 dogs, two cats, dozens of chickens, scores of rabbits and innumerable fish.
Open Director Position
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee provides financial oversight of the Association and provides financial advice and counsel to the Executive Team and the Board of Directors.
We are currently seeking an enthusiastic member for this open position. Interested? Please send all inquiries to info@aquaponicsassociation.org.
Open Director Position
Programs and Policies Committee
The Programs and Policy Committee is tasked with directing and managing the Association’s mission and forward momentum.
We are currently seeking an enthusiastic member for this open position. Are you interested in managing the Association’s programs and policies moving into 2013? Please send all inquiries to info@aquaponicsassociation.org.
Open Director Position
Zoning/Municipal Interests Committee
This committee will provide support and assistance for aquaponic gardeners that may deal with zoning challenges surrounding cultivating an aquatic species in their municipality.
Advisory Board
Robert C. LaGasse, President
Executive Consultants, Inc.
Robert LaGasse is the President of Executives Consultants, Inc., which specializes in management solutions and business services for nonprofit trade and professional associations. Robert also currently serves as the Executive Director for the following professional organizations; the Mulch and Soil Research Foundation, the Garden Writers Association Foundation, the Progressive Gardening Trade Association and the Mulch and Soil Council
Myles Harston, Founder
AquaRanch, Inc.
Myles is the founder of AquaRanch, the first commercial aquaponics farm to grow tilapia from spawn to fillet and organic produce from seed to retail. Myles has been involved in aquaculture since 1985 and involved in aquaponics since before it was even called aquaponics.
Arthur K. Parris, Jr. and ParrisWhittaker, Counsel and Attorneys at Law
Bahamas
Arthur K. Parris, Jr. was a partner with Callenders & Co before he decided to found ParrisWhittaker. A member of the Bahamas Bar Association, Mr. Parris has over three decades of experience handling a wide range of legal transactions, including corporate and commercial law, banking law, conveyancing, immigration law, resort acquisitions, and property development law.
