Choice Aquariums - Team Profiles

	Wayne Oliver, Jr. – General Manager, Wayne, Jr. is the founder of Choice Aquariums, LLC, and manages the overall operation of all segments of the company. He started in the hobby in 1972 keeping freshwater tanks, and began his first saltwater system in 1979. In 1986 Wayne completed an Associates of Science degree in Business Administration from the Community College of the Air Force, in 1988 he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from the University of Central Oklahoma, and in 1997 he received his Masters of Science Degree in Industrial Operations from Lawrence Technological University. Wayne was honorably discharged from the USAF in March 1987 after completing four years on active duty and two years reserve. In addition to Wayne's leadership role with Choice Aquariums, LLC, he is also the Vice President of Operations Finance for Meridian Automotive Systems, Inc. a privately held Tier 1 automotive supplier.
	Cary Strong – Store Manager, Cary is the Manager of the Farmington Hills location and has responsibility of the day-to-day operations of the store. In addition, he is our resident expert in fish disease and Discus. Cary is the founder of Great Lakes Discus, which was acquired by Choice Aquariums in 2006. He is also responsible for our offsite Discus hatchery where the majority of our stock resides. He started in the hobby in 1979 keeping basic freshwater tanks, and began breeding Discus in 1988. Cary has been the recipient of 1st Place and Reserve Best in Show awards for his Discus specimens at past North American Cichlid Association shows, and he has been a frequent speaker at many hobby clubs, societies and associations.
	Wayne Oliver, III – E-Retail Manager, Wayne, III is the E-Retail Manager where he is responsible for maintaining our Internet site with livestock availability updates, processing customer orders, and responding to customer inquiries. He started in the hobby in 2004 where his interest lies with marine systems. He is currently a student at Oakland County Community College studying general business. Wayne, III has beenwith Choice Aquariums since its inception.
	Scott Ratliff – Maintenance Manager, Scott is our Lead Service Technician and resident system expert. Scott's ability to problem solve specimen, chemistry and/or equipment issues has been key to our success in providing excellent customer service. Scott has been in the hobby since 1990 when he began with freshwater tanks and in 1999 he started his first marine system. Scott has worked professionally in the aquarium maintenance field since 2001, and joined Choice Aquariums in November 2005.
	Dave Konkus – Assistant Manager, Dave is the Assistant Manager of the Farmington Hills location and has responsibility of the day-to-day operations of the store when Cary Strong is not on duty. He is a certified scuba diver and our resident reef expert. He is also our most capable associate with equipment parameters and specifications. Dave has developed and maintained reef systems since 1986 and has had success with several styles/methods of reef keeping. Employing many techniques over the years and through his independent study, Dave has become accomplished in assisting with the establishment of any new reef system. The area where our team feels Dave's talents shine is with aquascaping. His artistic flare is expressed in live rock structures that take an ordinary set-up to an extraordinary display. Dave has been with Choice Aquariums since its inception.
	Lisa Oliver – Customer Service Coordinator, Lisa is the heart of organization at Choice Aquariums, and as Wayne Jr.'s sister, she has a lifetime of experience in managing both him and his son, Wayne III. When she isn't keeping the store organized you will find her feeding fish or providing excellent customer service at the register. Lisa has been with Choice Aquariums since its inception.
	Berne Kairunas – Service Technician, Berne is our resident aquatic plant expert and has played a key role in developing that aspect of our business. Berne has worn many hats in the company thus far and is currently rounding-out his experience serving as Service Technician providing expertise for those clients keeping freshwater planted systems as well as reefs. Berne was the first employee of Choice Aquariums, and was there with Wayne, Jr. through every step of the development of the company. Berne started in the hobby in 1982, and is active in the Greater Detroit Aquarium Society where he has served as Board Member. Berne has been with Choice Aquariums since its inception.
	Nick Wyszynski – Sales Associate, Nick has been a reefkeeper since 2001 and has worked in the pet industry since 2004. He is an extremely capable marine hobbyist and provides outstanding customer service to the folks who visit Choice Aquariums. He joined the team in April 2006 and continues to expand his experience to include freshwater and Discus specimens. Nick is a student at Oakland County Community College, where is studying general business.
	Vince Paczewski – Sales Associate, Vince is a marine fish hobbyist and worked his way through college in the pet industry dating back to 1985. He is a certified scuba diver, and graduate of the University of Michigan where in 1993 he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Accounting. Vince has been with Choice Aquariums since its inception.
	Bruce Rokicki – Sales Associate, Bruce has been an aquarium hobbyist since 1985, and began working in the pet industry in 1987. Bruce began keeping marine aquariums in 1988, ultimately leading him to coral propagation. Along with assisting customers, Bruce is also responsible for our offsite coral frag & grow activities. Bruce joined Choice Aquariums in November 2005.
	Melissa Rokicki – Sales Associate, Melissa has been an aquarium hobbyist since 1993, when she kept Cichlids and began working with marine specimens after meeting and marrying Bruce. Along with assisting customers, Melissa also supports Bruce with our offsite coral frag & grow activities. Melissa joined Choice Aquariums in November 2005.
	Brent Gardner – Sales Associate, Brent has been active in the hobby since 1986, and has previously owned a Marine Aquarium Council certified LFS from 2000 to 2005. Brent possesses considerable expertise with corals and his prior experience along with his depth of knowledge with all things aquarium makes him a significant resource for any customer. Brent joined Choice Aquariums in November 2007.

Store Phone:	(248) 553-0414
Maintenance:	(734) 558-4212