Born and raised in Western Massachusetts, Michael graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and is now a Lead Technical Architect for General Dynamics’ GDIT subsidiary. Through multiple buyouts Michael has worked at a datacenter in Rensselaer, New York for nearly 30 years.

Michael’s beginnings in the aquarium hobby is a classic tale and certainly not all that unlike the beginnings of many others. Having an interest in everything to do with nature, Michael’s parents bought him a 10-gallon aquarium starter kit when he was in the second grade. Michael was hooked immediately. Soon he had a second aquarium and had plans to take over his parents’ canning kitchen/laundry room, having determined what size tank would fit in each part of the existing shelving and a list of which species of fish would be in each of these tanks. His parents reeled him in and set the limit at two tanks. Starting with the 10-gallon and another 20-gallon aquarium, the two tanks were replaced over the years and when Michael officially left the nest after college they were a 90- and 100-gallon pair. His collection of aquariums grew to 14 in an apartment during a three-year residence in New Jersey and further grew to 25+ in another apartment after a move back to Western Massachusetts to start a family.

Michael’s wife, recognizing his passion and more concerning to her, his imagination, set a rule that he could have as many tanks as he wanted as long as they were all in the basement. This has led to the present with 40+ aquariums, where every available square foot is consumed by his hobby. Michael’s focus has always been on cichlids, with the clade of Lake Tanganyikan cichlids being his favorite. He also maintains many species of Lake Malawi and African satellite lake cichlids, as well as swordtails, Corydoras catfish and plecos. The interest in these non-cichlid species developed alongside a more recent interest in backyard ponds…. ‘tubbing.’ Michael currently maintains five 200-gallon above ground tubs, one in ground 60-gallon tub and just this past year closed out the season by digging a 12-foot x 6-foot, 4-foot deep in-ground pond.

Michael is very active in the aquarium hobby, being a member of the American Cichlid Association, attendee at many of the annual conferences, member of multiple local clubs and currently filling the role of President for the New England Cichlid Association (NECA). It is through the NECA that Michael participates in the CARES program, maintaining many CARES species.

We are so fortunate and grateful to have Michael with his kind and diplomatic nature along with his enthusiasm, creativity and organizational skills as our CARES Member Club Coordinator. Thank you so much, Michael!