I feel incredibly blessed and grateful to have found a way to make a living while Living On Purpose. I "do" what I "am". And what I am here to do is "Raise The Raw Bar". That means that I create ways to be of value to all stakeholders in oysters...Growers, Distributors, Restaurants, Chefs, Shuckers, Servers and Consumers. If you are a part of the trade or an oyster consumer, my purpose and mission is "to be a rising tide" for you.

I am a Master Mermmelier. I coined the expression to best describe to people what "I am". A Mermmelier is to Oysters what a Sommelier is to Wine. I am an "Oyster Aficionado" and a Hospitality Professional with a broad & deep understanding & experience with aquaculture, the oyster business, hospitality and event marketing. Mine is arguably a singular combination of skills and experience.

As Founder and CEO of EMPIRE OYSTER, I operate a vertically integrated oyster company. We offer the finest bespoke oyster bar catering services in the world to customers everywhere. We also provide or support premium oyster-forward hospitality as we produce, sell and serve the best oysters in the world. Visit www.EmpireOyster.com

In 2021 I opened my first brick & mortar lovationnin Charleston, SC. Empire Oyster's RAW LAB in historic downtown Charleston is the worlds ONLY Omakase-Style Raw Bar Experience. www.EmpireOyster.com/rawlab

Our next effort is Empire Oyster Bar @ Holy City Brewing set to open Nov 2023. This elite raw bar offering will operate within and service Holy City Brewery in Charleston, SC. Learn more here: www.empireoyster.com/holycitybrewery

In 2019 I purchased a classic vessel (a 1959 River Tug) and I am in the process of refitting her for service in 2022 as a seaworthy, ocean going Oyster Bar called RAW BARge. We hope to have her operational in Charleston in the summer of 2024. www.empireoyster.com/rawbargeplan

I am also Founder and CEO of THE OYSTERHOOD - a global, oyster-centric, omni-media, platform presenting programming and content for and about those who consume and/or trade in oysters. www.TheOysterHood.com

The OysterHood's flagship program & production is NEW YORK OYSTER WEEK. We are working to bring this back post-covid and to expand to other cities. www.OysterWeek.com

And, finally, in 2017 Bart Key and I formed OYSTERS UNLIMITED. www.OystersUnlimited.org. This non-profit endeavors to support those who protect, preserve and restore oyster habitat, everywhere.