After holding an appointment as an extension aquaculture specialist with the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff for 19 years, David Heikes took his industry extension so seriously he eventually just went to work on the farm himself. For the last 10 years, he has worked as the production manager for Dunn’s Fish Farm, the largest largemouth bass food-fish farm in the United States. 

A true inventor, over the years David pursued work in direct response to industry need. Although he never sought recognition for his widely used technologies, harvesting, and grading equipment, his designs shaped the U.S. catfish industry into what it is today. 

Notably, he developed an in-pond fingerling grader, which has been adopted by all major catfish hatcheries. He also developed a grader sock that solved a major production bottleneck and allowed farmers to successfully harvest hybrid catfish, which now make up a significant portion of total U.S. catfish production.

He led the first-ever Research Verification program for aquaculture, designed a farm-wide system for data monitoring and automation, served on the Southern Regional Aquaculture Center Technical Committee for 12 years and SRAC Industry Advisory Council for 8.

His dedication to U.S. aquaculture and his determination and ability to solve problems on farms is legendary. His conscious desire is to lift up those around him, to help them succeed, and to raise standards within the business. 

Doug Russell has been in the aquatic industry for roughly 30 years. After earning a degree in aquaculture and fisheries, he worked on fish farms in Arkansas and the Florida DNR. After a short stint in Illinois, he moved back to his home state of Florida (so he could continue as a proud Florida Cracker) and began working at Aquatic Eco-systems in the late 80s. His strongest attributes were, and still are today, his dedication to farmers, understanding of the industry's needs, attention to detail, and strong work ethic. He volunteered to join an industry advisory committee and, under the guidance of Craig Watson, helped the tropical fish community navigate challenges to the industry's growth. In 1994, he expanded his quest for a challenge, grabbed his wife Maralin, moved to California, and began work at Aqua Logic. It did not take long before he bought out the past owner and began to expand their offerings into the aquatic industry. Aqua Logic’s tagline on their website states, “Aqua Logic Helps Aquatic Systems Thrive.” The small company he bought has become an international supplier of solutions to the aquatic industry. Markets include bait, aquatic research, ornamentals, aquaponics, zoos, aquariums, education, science centers, and live holding systems for seafood restaurants. Innovations and offerings have put Aqua Logic in the international leadership role for systems and components to chill, heat, sterilize, and filter aquatic systems. An example of industry and suppliers working together is his bait-holding systems, which were inspired and designed by input from those who use them. 

He is always willing to help with donations to support the industry and be at all the important events. As a great listener and communicator, his passion has grown his business and helped grow the domestic aquaculture industry. If you belong to his “inner” circle, you might be able to catch an adult beverage at a tradeshow that he pulls from a 5-gallon bucket cooled by his innovative “Bush Latte” titanium chiller coil.  

If you have stepped into any aquaculture research facility or state/federal aquaculture site that requires either heating or chilling of water, there is a solid chance that his heat exchange technology is at work. The thing is, you might not even know it is there because it is behind the scenes, and I think he kinda likes it that way. He is not the boisterous loudmouth that is clamoring for attention. Instead, he, the “Quiet Silver Haired Listener,” is fine behind the scenes helping keep aquatic organisms alive. His understanding of community, innovation, and relationships has helped this industry grow tremendously. 

Bob Robinson is an astute businessman, yet he is eager to assist professionals and students alike with his vast knowledge and generous spirit, whether Kasco Marine aerators are used or not. He has even freed a few whales along the way.

Mike’s formal education includes a BS from Arkansas Tech in Fisheries and Wildlife management and an MS in Biology from Murray State University. After a stint with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (1977-1983), he formed Keo Fish Farms with two partners in 1986. Keo was the first farm to develop a commercial program to produce triploid grass carp with the primary purpose of aquatic vegetation control. Today, the company is the largest producer of hybrid striped bass fingerlings in the world.

Mike is energetic and generous, reflected in his numerous volunteer roles with various grower groups, national and state government committees, and the advisory committee for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Mike has been a staunch supporter of research, extension, and education. Mike repeatedly takes his personal time to talk with students and help them understand what it takes to run a successful aquaculture business, a contribution to student development that alone merits recognition. Mike has also accommodated numerous research projects on his farm, despite the inconveniences and disruptions.

Mike has an undeniable and unflappable commitment to U.S. aquaculture. Mike’s tireless efforts have played a large role in the growth of the domestic aquaculture industry. His effective communication style that puts complex issues into understandable terms has gained him trust of fellow farmers. He is willing to talk to farmers about their issues and help any way that he can. This award has been established to honor the memory of one of the hardest working members of the U.S. Aquaculture Society, who like Mike also volunteered an inordinate amount of his time and personal resources to help others. Mike Freeze exemplifies the type of outstanding person in the U.S. aquaculture industry and community for which the Douglas Drennan II Industry Leadership Award was established to honor.

Douglas Drennan’s contributions to the aquaculture industry will be long remembered through the creation of the Douglas Drennan II Industry Leadership Award by the U.S. Aquaculture Society.

Drennan, a lifelong resident of New Orleans, was president of the U.S. Aquaculture Suppliers Association when he died in July at 52.

The first of the awards named for him was awarded to him posthumously Feb. 20 during the Aquaculture America event in New Orleans. Aquaculture America is the national conference of the U.S. Aquaculture Society, the National Aquaculture Association and the Aquaculture Suppliers Association.

The award will recognize an outstanding person in the aquaculture industry who has both professionally and personally contributed to the aquaculture industry through improving technology, innovation and/or process and who has demonstrated a personal commitment to the aquaculture community, especially students.

In addition, Drennan was presented posthumously a lifetime achievement award.

Drennan was a graduate of Isidore Newman School, the University of New Orleans and Mississippi State University. After receiving a master’s degree from MSU, he worked as the aquaculture specialist for Mississippi Delta Community College and then for the Civil Engineering Aquatics Systems Laboratory at LSU.

In 1995, Drennan founded Aquaculture Systems Technologies LLC. Until his death, Drennan served as managing member and president of Aquaculture Systems Technologies LLC and as general manager of Aquaculture Supply LLC.

An avid hunter and fisher, Drennan was a member of Ducks Unlimited and was extremely active with the Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana. He was a CCA Executive Committee member, a CCA Louisiana state board member, and he served as the CCA Louisiana Delta Chapter president from 2010 until his death.

Excerpt from: "Aquaculture industry award honors Douglas Drennan of New Orleans" (March 4, 2015) https://www.nola.com/news/aquaculture-industry-award-honors-douglas-drennan-of-new-orleans/article_70190e02-bb7a-5832-9527-099bc308b05f.html