Our Leadership Team
A Leadership Team Prepared to Transform an Industry –
Where Expertise Meets Vision to Transform U.S. Shrimp Farming
From breakthrough microbiology and industrial automation to high-yield production and national sales strategy, this team has the expertise and track record to lead America into a new era of sustainable, locally grown shrimp. Where proven innovators, scientists, engineers, and industry veterans unite to transform America’s shrimp supply.
Michael A. Cunha, MBA
Michael Cunha is a builder of companies. Over the course of more than three decades, he has repeatedly taken ideas from inception to industry-leading success—and is now bringing that legacy to revolutionize U.S. shrimp production.
Graduating summa cum laude with both a B.S. in Psychology and an MBA in Accounting & Economics, Michael launched a career that blends technical precision with strategic leadership. At Andermac, Inc., he modernized the organization through full-scale automation, helping it secure 50% of California’s market share and 25% of the nationwide market.
He then co-founded InterMag, Inc., securing the breakthrough manufacturing contract for Iomega’s iconic 100MB Zip Disk. Under his financial and operational leadership, InterMag grew from $0 to $72 million in three years before being acquired by a major Taiwanese technology group.
In 1996, Michael co-founded Mionix Corporation, which is now a global innovator in antimicrobials for food and feed systems. As Chairman, he led Mionix through development, growth, and a successful sale in 2015. Beyond Mionix, he manages Patmos Holdings I, LLC, supporting the launch and scale of emerging technology ventures.
At Aquatic Life Technologies, Michael brings a lifetime of innovation, disciplined execution, and a market-changing vision to build America’s first scalable, modern shrimp production ecosystem.
Maurice C. Kemp, Ph.D.
Dr. Maurice Kemp is one of the leading scientific minds in aquaculture innovation and shrimp disease control. With a Ph.D. in Medical Microbiology and decades of expertise in virology, immunology, and pathogen mitigation, Dr. Kemp brings unparalleled scientific depth to Aquatic Life.
His research and academic background include:
- Visiting Research Scientist at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
- Assistant Professor roles at the University of Colorado Medical Center
- Associate Professor of Veterinary Microbiology at Texas A&M University
Dr. Kemp co-founded and co-invented the patented Multi-Phasic Super-Intensive Shrimp Production System, the foundation of Aquatic Life’s GEN-2 platform. He was also instrumental in developing and validating the SIRSFT pilot system, proving that the technology is both practical and profitable.
As CTO at Mionix Corporation, he developed and patented a widely used antimicrobial acidic calcium sulfate technology. Dr. Kemp’s extensive list of patents, publications, awards, and international field experience cements his status as a globally respected leader in aquaculture science.
Anthony P. Brand
With more than 32 years of industrial engineering experience, Anthony Brand brings deep expertise in the design, integration, and operation of complex production systems. His background includes industrial process controls, electrical distribution, HVAC, and water-treatment infrastructure.
Anthony has spent 15 years implementing advanced Integrated Management Systems (IMS), achieving TUV and ISO certifications across large-scale manufacturing operations. He also brings eight years of hands-on aquaculture experience through his work with shrimp and crawfish farms in West Central Alabama.
In addition to his engineering leadership at Mercedes-Benz USI, Anthony ensures that Aquatic Life’s GEN-2 facilities meet the highest standards of efficiency, reliability, and operational excellence.
Philip K. Peck
Philip Peck is a 25-year marketing and sales veteran with deep experience in national distribution, retail, online sales, and foodservice channels. His career includes leadership roles across Amazon, Costco, Sam’s Club, Sysco, and U.S. Foodservice.
As National Sales Manager for Boresha International and Virtue Coffee Roasters, he oversaw manufacturing, distribution, and brand growth—achieving a 300% increase in annual sales in a single year. Earlier, his leadership drove more than $950 million in real estate sales during his 14-year tenure with Dame’ Construction Company.
Philip is uniquely skilled at positioning new products into high-value markets—a critical asset as Aquatic Life brings fresh, U.S.-grown, never-frozen shrimp to American consumers.
Craig A. Collins
Craig Collins is one of America’s most experienced shrimp farmers, with over 30 years of hands-on expertise in high-density shrimp production, facility design, and operational management.
His achievements include:
- First to achieve high-survival shrimp densities in intensive SIGS systems
- Setting a production record of 44,000 lbs. per acre
- Managing a 25-acre inland shrimp farm in Arizona
- Leading marketing operations for a 5,000-acre shrimp farm producing 11 million lbs. annually
- Working under Dr. Addison Lawrence, one of the world’s foremost shrimp aquaculture researchers
Craig’s operational mastery and production insight are essential to the success of Aquatic Life’s GEN-2 system and its unmatched yield potential.