our roots
We are farmers and watermen who are dedicated to our regions’ agricultural and maritime traditions and the unique marine environments we are privileged to work in. We wake up every day thinking about how to make our product better and our process more efficient. We hope this dedication comes through in the quality of clams, oysters, and sunrays we deliver to our customers.
Aaron III (top left) is a native of Bradenton, FL, and the founder of Two Docks. He has a MS in aquaculture and a PhD in ecosystem science and policy from the University of Miami, where he continues to serve as an adjunct professor in the aquaculture program. Prior to starting in the shellfish business he was a sea-going naval officer for 5 years, earned a law degree ( which he has misplaced along with his wallet) and worked on fish farms throughout Latin America and around the world.
Aaron Jr. (second from left top row) earned a PhD in Plant Pathology from North Carolina State University. He has decades of experience growing citrus and tomatoes in Florida. After retiring (for 30 minutes) from his long and successful career as a research scientist and agricultural consultant, he embarked on a second career as a shellfish farmer. Luckily his wardrobe has basically remained the same. He is the real Doc in Two Docks.
Marc Scott (second from right top row), a Tampa native, earned his degree in marine biology from the University of South Florida, As farm manager he oversees husbandry and production on the farms. Marc is a master diver and occasional instructor. Before joining the Two Docks team Marc was working on fishing boats off the New England coast. Marc is musician par excellance —pick an instrument, he can play it!
Brendyn Meisinger ( right top row) earned his BS in environmental science from Washington College and an MPS in aquaculture from the University of Miami. He is a former oyster farmer and has worked throughout the aquaculture industry. As hatchery manager, he is responsible for managing production of the clam seed we plant on our Tampa Bay lease sites. Before joining the Two Docks crew, Brendyn worked for a grouper farm in Thailand, where he built one of that country’s first fully recirculating aquaculture facilities. Brendyn has been a huge asset to our operation — just ask him!
Jon Rueben (bottom row left) loves all things ocean. Jon earned his batchelor’s degree in marine biology from Eckerd College and an MPS in aquaculture from the University of Miami. After leaving Miami, Jon worked for a large shellfish operation in the Pacific northwest. This Florida boy quickly tired of the cold, wet weather and returned to warm, sunny Florida with his dog, Red. He, Jon not Red, works at our hatchery where he assists Brendyn in clam seed production — no small task! He is a fishing nut!
Red (sort of obvious) traveled a long way with Jon to work for Two Docks and we are grateful to have such a handsome fellow on our team. His pedigree is a secret, but his work ethic is beyone reproach. As the hatchery watchman he does an outstanding job. He never complains about work conditions or long hours. However, our human resource department has noted that he occasionally sleeps on the job.
Nick Schoop (lower center) manages our nursery facility in St. Petersburg where he oversees the juvenile animals until they are big enough to transfer for grow out into the ocean. He also assists with harvesting and maintenance of the Tampa Bay farms. A native of Jupiter (Florida that is), Nick earned a degree in marine biology and an MPS both from the University of Miami. He is an ocean and sea critter lover and spends as much time on and near the water as he can. He must have webbed feet!
Lorraine and Janet (not pictured, they are in the Witness Protection Program). The ladies work in the processing room where the examine each and every clam that rolls down the grading and packaging machine. They check for any “clickers, mudders or misfits” that might gone undetected in the earlier production process. Lorraine often provides gourmet and comfort food to the ravenous crew as they return from a day on the water. Janet provides comic relief for the entire outfit.
