At AES, our team is the backbone of everything we do. Hand-picked with intentionality, our staff is composed of passionate, forward-thinking professionals who bring decades of combined experience to the lake management industry.

Each team member holds specialized degrees in fields such as biology, fisheries management, wildlife management, accounting, and business administration. This deep well of expertise, combined with our commitment to continuous learning, ensures that we deliver unparalleled service and innovative solutions every time.

We’re not just managing lakes—we’re creating legacies. Whether it’s crafting a personalized fisheries management plan or transforming a pond into a family retreat, our team works tirelessly to turn your vision into reality.

A group photo of the AES team

Greg Grimes

Owner
About Greg

Greg Grimes grew up fishing ponds and lakes, turning his love for water and fish into a lifelong career. He earned a biology degree from West Georgia and went on to manage the largest lake management company in the state. In 1998, he earned his master’s degree in fishery management from the University of Georgia.

With a passion for advancing the field, Greg founded Aquatic Environmental Services, Inc. Through the business he has consulted on and worked in over 26 states and more than 10,000 bodies of water. He is recognized as a driving force behind the formation of the Society of Lake Management Professionals and has authored dozens of articles on cutting-edge pond management tactics. His expertise has made him a sought-after speaker, traveling across the U.S. to educate and inspire groups about innovative fishery and lake management strategies.

Beyond his professional contributions, Greg is dedicated to giving back to the community, helping others develop a deep appreciation for God’s great creation. He loves supporting his professional staff at AES.  He spends as much time outdoors as he can with his family, Wendy, Gordon and Wyatt. His work continues to shape the industry and inspire future generations of lake and fishery management professionals.

Matt Morgan

General Manager
About Matt

Matt studied Fisheries Management at Auburn University, where he worked as a Field Research Assistant under Dr. Mike Maceina and Dr. Steve Sammons. He conducted electrofishing, gill net studies, and radio tracking of black bass; likewise, he has extensive experience with otolith processing, having aged thousands of fish.

After graduating in 2006, he joined AES and became an award-winning fisheries biologist. Matt has electrofished over 1,800 waters, stocked millions of fish, and worked on everything from ¼ acre ponds to large public reservoirs.

Outside of work, he enjoys family time, hunting, fishing, and good bourbon or tequila.

Colin Steele

Operations Manager
About Colin

Colin joined Aquatic Environmental Services in 2020 with a strong background in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences from Hocking College and West Virginia University. He gained hands-on experience in fisheries management, electrofishing, water quality monitoring, and hatchery operations.

Starting in the electrofishing department, he quickly advanced to lead electrofishing biologist, conducting fisheries assessments across the Southeast. In 2025, he was promoted to Operations Manager, overseeing field operations and service delivery.

Outside of work, Colin enjoys hunting, fishing, and cheering for THE Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cleveland Browns, all while enjoying a cold Busch Light. Though he has embraced the warmer climate of the South, he remains deeply connected to his northern roots.

Tyler Newman

Installation Coordinator
About Tyler

Tyler joined Aquatic Environmental Services 2021. With degrees from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Natural Resources Management and Chattahoochee Technical College in Environmental Technology, we are pleased he joined us full time after serving as an intern for many summers.

Tyler is your go-to for product installations and diagnostics and can regularly be seen in the field installing our lake management products or operating equipment. He also oversees maintenance of AES equipment to make sure everything is running smoothly.

Tyler is also fully licensed through the ATF to sell firearms and enjoys helping clients select firearms for their hunting needs.

Caleb Castleberry

Fish Stocking Coordinator
About Caleb

Caleb is a graduate of the University of North Georgia and has been running our fish stocking department since 2021. He knows fish and will be happy to help make sure your pond is stocked at proper rates.

When you are ready to stock your lake or pond, he will work with you on selecting the right fish for your fishery to maximize your investment and your lake’s health. After choosing which fish to stock, he will help send you quotes and set up delivery to ensure the process is seamless.

Kelson Shepherd

Fisheries Technician/Electrofishing Coordinator
About Kelson

Kelson Shepherd joined our staff in 2022 as a Fisheries Technician, after earning his bachelor’s of science degree in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point. Kelson served his internship with Fort McCoy in Wisconsin, where he focused on fisheries management of public lakes and streams.

Electrofishing lakes, trout streams and conducting habitat assessments were all part of his extensive internship training.

At AES, Mr. Shepherd works in several different areas, including electrofishing, liming, stocking fish, performing aeration installations and working on habitat projects.

Kelson enjoys working with clients to understand their needs and what their goals are to help them fully enjoy their property.

Braden Biddy

Route Technician
About Braden

Braden Biddy is a graduate of the University of North Georgia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He joined our staff as a fisheries Technician in 2022 shortly after graduation.

Braden completed his internship at the world-renowned University of Georgia Marine Institute on Sapelo Island (UGAMI).

At AES, you will find Braden visiting client properties, conducting site visits that include dam inspections, fish feeder maintenance and water quality monitoring.

Kyle Scharf

Routes Supervisor
About Kyle

Kyle joined our staff in 2023 as a Fisheries Technician, working primarily with the electroshocking team. Mr. Scharf gathered experience from his internship at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin and as an aquatic field technician in Illinois prior to joining our team. He also brings with him experience in radio telemetry, habitat restoration and vegetation identification.

Kyle can be seen out in the field conducting service visits for clients to ensure their lake continues to thrive. In the office, Kyle can be seen processing water samples and communicating with clients to provide exceptional lake management service.

Gage Stewart

Fisheries Technician/Client Relationship Specialist
About Gage

Gage Stewart joined the staff here at AES as a Fisheries Technician and a Client Relationship Specialist in 2024. Gage is a graduate of Berry College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science and Spanish.

He brings valuable experience from his time with The Nature Conservancy as a Burn Crew Member, his achievements as an Eagle Scout, and his leadership roles during his undergraduate years.

You will see Mr. Stewart on job sites, learning more about our clients and their lakes and speaking with him over the phone during follow-ups.

Wyatt Martin

Fisheries Technician
About Wyatt

With valuable experience from his time with Georgia DNR and classroom training at the University of Georgia, Wyatt is well prepared to support our clients and their lakes. His passion for fishing and sharing his knowledge helps lake owners feel supported and encouraged as they work toward their goals.

You will see Wyatt in the field completing product installations, delivering fish, and completing routine service visits to support our clients’ lake management dreams.

Dana Champagne

Business Director
About Dana

Dana joined our company in 2022. She plays a pivotal role in our strategic business operations and heads up our employee training/development programs and recruitment efforts.

With her educational background, including a BA in psychology from Purdue University and an MBA in HR/IS from SUNY Albany, Dana brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Her experience comes from large corporations, manufacturing companies and non-profits.

Dana is here to assist current and future employees with career inquiries, applications, and professional development, ensuring smooth onboarding for new hires and effective, meaningful training for all employees.

Wendy Grimes

Director
About Wendy

Wendy Grimes has been with the company since its inception and is married to Greg Grimes. Her roles with AES include advisory, payroll, purchasing and other projects that need her expertise.

Wendy is a proud graduate of the University of Georgia with a BA in Marketing. Her years of experience in the giftware business at The Wolf Company prepared her well for the multifaceted fisheries management industry. She brings a distinct voice and solid perspective to every area she manages, ensuring that the business operates smoothly and providing support for employees regarding payroll services.

Joanna Trana

Administrative Assistant to the CEO
About Joanna

In 2024, Joanna Trana became a key addition to AES, stepping into the role of Administrative Assistant to the CEO. Her responsibilities include writing proposals and reports, while also strengthening client relationships. With a background spanning over 5 years in paralegal assistance and experience as an educator, Joanna brings a diverse skill set to the table. She holds a BA from Georgia College and State University and earned her MAT from Thomas University.

Teresa Thomas

Bookkeeper
About Teresa

Teresa has been the Bookkeeper for AES for 2 years and 4 months. She is the go-to for financial services including accounting, check receipt, and she has been a certified QuickBooks Advisor for over 25 years. She attended the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon and moved to Georgia with Georgia Pacific Corporation.

She has been married 41 years with 3 grown children and 3+ granddaughters. Away from work, she enjoys reading and attending activities with her women's ministry group and her granddaughters sports.

Morgan Hill

Fisheries Technician
About Morgan

Morgan recently earned her undergraduate degree in biology from the University of North Georgia, where she developed a strong foundation in water quality through her work at the Ecological Protection Center. She further expanded her expertise with internships at Georgia Tech and Streambank Assessments with the DNR before joining the AES team in 2025.

Passionate about applying science to real-world lake management, Morgan is eager to help our clients maintain healthy, thriving lakes. She enjoys working hands-on to improve water quality, protect aquatic ecosystems, and ensure lakes remain beautiful retreats for their owners. Look for her out on the water, making a difference one lake at a time.

Jackson Davis

Biologist
About Jackson

Jackson Davis joined our staff in 2025 as a Fisheries Technician and is currently working towards earning his master’s degree in biology from Georgia Southern University.

He has worked in fisheries for over seven years and is experienced at electrofishing lakes and rivers and assessing water quality.

At AES, Jackson primarily assists with electrofishing surveys during the spring and fall, but you will see him out in the field completing all kinds of services including fish stocking, liming and product installs while he’s not on the shock boat.

Steve Sammons

Research Biologist
About Steve

Steve Sammons joined AES in 2024 to lead our Research Department. He holds a BS, an MS, and a PhD in Fisheries Science and Management from multiple universities.

With over 20 years of experience as a research scientist at Auburn University, he ran his own lab focused on sport fish management. He then worked for 5 years as a Research Associate at Tennessee Tech University where he ran research projects on sportfish population dynamics.

We are excited to have him on board and look forward to his passion for fisheries science, helping keep AES at the forefront of new methods, research, and techniques.

Laura Byrum

Office Manager
About Laura

Laura joined our team in February 2025, bringing extensive experience in executive administrative support across various sectors, including the federal government in the DC metro area and the hospitality industry.

A dedicated mother to a school-age son, Laura is deeply involved in supporting his education and extracurricular activities. She has a strong passion for family, music, and the arts. Laura is eager to expand her knowledge of the aquaculture industry and is committed to aligning her work with AES’ core values and supporting our mission.

Jess Taylor

Route Technician
About Jess

Jess Taylor started his career at AES through an internship program in 2020. He earned a spot as a seasonal technician working in all aspects of the company over summers until he joined us full time February of 2024. With previous experience working for Auburn University’s Fisheries Department, he has become a knowledgeable and dedicated member of our team.

You can find Jess visiting client properties, conducting site visits that include fish stocking, electrofishing surveys, fish feeder maintenance, habitat installations, and more.