A Life Shaped by Service, Teaching & the Sea

The story behind one of the web's largest shell collections — built over 30 years of passion.

From the Skies of Southeast Asia

My journey with shells began far from the Florida coastline. During the Vietnam era, I served in the United States Air Force and traveled extensively across Southeast Asia. It was there — immersed in the rich cultures, vibrant markets, and coastal traditions of that remarkable region — that I first encountered the extraordinary diversity of shells the Indo-Pacific world has to offer. I didn't just collect them; I studied them, learned their significance, and began to understand the deep connection between coastal peoples and the sea.

Those experiences planted a seed. The shells I saw in Southeast Asia were unlike anything available back home — rare, beautiful, and steeped in natural history. I knew one day I would find a way to share them.

A Career of Service & Community

After my military service, I returned to Florida and dedicated myself to my community. I spent 15 years as a teacher, shaping young minds and bringing the same curiosity and discipline I'd developed in the Air Force into the classroom. That was followed by a decade as a Medicaid compliance officer — work that demanded precision, integrity, and a genuine commitment to the people I served.

Throughout all of it, the shells were always there. Collected, catalogued, and cherished — a passion that quietly grew alongside a career of public service.

30+ Years in the Shell Business

For over 30 years, I have been building what is now one of the largest shell selections available anywhere on the web. Based in Seminole, Florida — steps from the Gulf Coast — Shells from the Dawn of Aquarius draws its inventory directly from the Indo-Pacific region where my love of shells first took hold. Every piece is sourced with the knowledge and discernment of someone who has spent decades learning what makes a shell truly special.

This is not a hobby that became a business. It is a lifelong calling — one that connects my military service, my years in education, and my deep respect for the natural world into something I am proud to share with collectors, gift-givers, and ocean lovers everywhere.

Our Promise to You

When you shop with us, you are buying from someone who has spent a lifetime in pursuit of the ocean's finest treasures. Every shell is chosen with care, packed with pride, and sent to you with the hope that it brings a little of the sea's wonder into your world.

Thank you for being part of this story. It has been a long and beautiful journey — and the tide is still coming in.

— Founder, Shells from the Dawn of Aquarius
Seminole, Florida  |  US Air Force Veteran  |  Florida Retired Educator