American Hydroponics Facility

American Hydroponics Team

Our 2009 Company Pic! Back Row (left to right): Ward, Donvieve, Michael, Kathy, Carrie, Jane, John, Brian, Nate, Simon, Jeremy, Alan, Kelley. Front Row (left to right): Eric, Kevin, Rudy, Erik, Travis.

Water Planet Team

Our 2009 Water Planet Team Pic! (left to right): Jeremy, Rudy, John, Brian, Alan, Simon.

Our Founders

Donvieve and Michael Christian

Michael Christian, President CEO

• 1963-1970 Professional musician LA California.
• 1970-1974 Studied plant physiology, biology, and botany at Humboldt State University CA in the early 70’s. Organically farmed one acre by hand.
• 1975-1983 Tree planter, building contractor, draftsman, built own home
• 1984-1994 Co-founded Sun Circle Inc dba American Hydroponics in 1984, a manufacturing facility in Arcata CA specializing in plant performance products, hydroponic system design and plastic thermoforming.
• Since 1995 Traveled in Australia and New Zealand (world leaders in recirculating hydroponic systems) studying and training with expert hydroponic growers. Worked exclusively with Grenville Stocker (Stocker Horticulture) of NZ since 1996, an agricultural chemist and pioneer in the design of NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) hydroponic systems.
• Redesigned the NFT system for greenhouse application in the US and implemented internationally. Currently working with many growers world wide, providing consultation, grower support and feasibility studies for large operations.
• Has written numerous articles for trade journals, promoting the use of hydroponic technology, won the prestigious Green Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2004 in CA from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
• Married to Donvieve, with 4 boys between them who all ski, flyfish and cook.
• Passions are fly-fishing with sons and friends, adventures with the grandkids, yoga, travel with Donvieve, skiing, growing, writing, conserving natural resources.

Donvieve Udell, Vice President/ Artist Educator/ Greenhouse Manager

• 1990 M.F.A. Humboldt State University, Theatre Arts Arcata CA
• 1970 B.F.A.University of Idaho, Sculpture, Fibers Moscow ID
• 1967 New York School of Design Manhattan NY

Professional Experience

• 1993-2004 Education Director, The Ink People Center for the Arts Eureka CA
• 1988-1990 Theatre Props Manager/Designer HSU Arcata CA
• 1988-2000 Local and International Artist in Residence (Arts in Education)

Mask Instructor/Guest Artist

• 1992-2005 Marylhurst College Marylhurst OR
• 1992-2001, 2005 Humboldt State University Arcata CA
• 2001 Medicino Arts Center Mendicino CA

Multiple Productions, Exhibitions & International Awards 1989-2004

• 2001-2004 Author of ‘Ten Tips, A Guide to Creative Art Projects’ Arcata CA and Osaka Japan

Art is the breath that keeps me inspired and excited about life. Growing up on the eastern beaches, I developed an intense relationship with nature. As I grew and traveled, so did my curiosity about faraway places and different people. I formed a great appreciation for the art of primitive and exotic cultures.

Art is an expression of many cultures and their connection to nature, from which our world is now being disconnected in many ways. Disassociation from our primordial being, and attempted dominance over nature, are global challenges. Yet beyond the sadness of this thought, there is hope through nature's constant beauty and mystical environments.

In honoring our environment, my utmost concern is to be committed and conscious of how I impact it by what I create. I have taken the opportunity to work in the Amhydro green houses to fulfill my commitment to nature by growing food that is healthy and nourishing. Our employees as well as the local markets can enjoy our produce.

Jane Schwalbe, General Manager

• 1981: Bachelor of Computer Science, UW in LaCrosse, WI.
• Jane has worked at a number of corporations and been involved with many disciplines within corporations and turnaround management. At Amdahl Corporation, she started as a software design engineer and ended her tenure as the manager of a multi-organizational re-engineering project. She, then, moved on to Mentor Graphics to startup theNorthwest Regional Consulting practice where she grew the business and was responsible for managing the profit-and-loss based practice, achievement of sales targets, customer consultations, and management of the consultant team.  Then, she moved on to a start-up project division at AT&T Wireless--Fixed Wireless. The positions she held were: Director of Business Development, Director of Product Management, and Director of Engineering Services. Jane created their international business strategy and pursued the startup of new business affiliates, international investments and global supply partners. Jane was also responsible for the startup of the domestic marketing and the multi-dwelling unit programs. She led a team of 35 direct hires, 15 consultants, and 4 managers to define, implement and support engineering design tools and processes.
• 2001-2004: She was CEO of Emerson Kennedy, a small international consulting firm. She came on board when the business was running in the red, sold the first globalization project, and deployed 18 new branch offices throughout Europe, Asia and Mexico. After successfully completing this project, she decided to move to Northern California to a home located right on the Trinity River where the eagles fly, the salmon and steelhead runs are incredible, and kayaking completes the package.
• In August 2004, she became the General Manager at American Hydroponics and is a highly valued member of the team.
• 2010: Certification Sustainable Business Practices - UC San Diego
• Jane has two children--Nick and Natasha and two grandchildren - Denise and Lilliana.
• Jane’s passions are traveling, gardening, reading, miscellaneous craft projects, tuning up businesses, and spending time with friends and family.

Kathy Steele, Bookkeeper

• Raised and worked on farms and ranches Oregon, Texas & California
• 1974 Graduate of Modern Business College
• Since 1974, Kathleen has worked in a variety of office settings from accounting, engineering, farming, medical, hydroponic systems & nutrient manufacturing & retailing.
• Kathleen has been married to Charles for 25 years, they have 2 adult sons, a daughter-in-law, and a precious granddaughter.
• Kathleen’s passions are gardening, watching her sons and daughter-in-law play sports, writing poetry & watching birds.

Kelley Nicholson, Director of Wholesale Sales

• 1997-1999  Studied Communications at Humboldt State University, graduated Cum Laude in December of 1999
• 2000-Present  Starting out as the Office Manager of American Hydroponics, Kelley soon realized there needed to be a department to solely support hobby growers, store owners and distributors.  With her back ground in retail sales management, she knew the value of a reliable supplier.  In 2001, the Wholesale Sales Department was developed, offering the highest quality customer service available to customers of all capacities.
• Kelley has aided in organizing commercial growers conferences, and organized many training sessions in the local community as well as across the country.  She travels to many retail stores, offering her knowledge as well as experience to help the store owner to increase their business and have satisfied customers.
• Kelley enjoys working with schools and students to introduce hydroponics into the classroom.  For two years, she was known as “the Strawberry Lady”, presenting many workshops on hydroponic strawberry production.  Through the Science Alive conferences, which focus on junior and senior high school students, she has made many lasting connections with schools across the country.  She has also given “Intro to Hydro” presentations to different schools, senior centers and juvenile halls.
• Kelley’s enthusiasm for the hydroponics industry, and her reputation as a knowledgeable resource, lead to her being elected to the Board of Directors for the Hydroponic Merchants Association in 2004, elected by her peers in the industry.  While on the board, she served as a key representative of the retail stores on the west coast, helping to organize and plan the annual board meeting and trade show.
• In the past few years, Kelley has focused her area of expertise on automation of growing systems.  Training directly under the designer of the IntelliDose and IntelliClimate from New Zealand, Kelley has remained committed to introducing growers to an easier, more automated way of growing healthier plants.
• Kelley lives in Eureka with her dogs, Bacchus & Eros, and is enjoying being an aunt for the first time.

Nate Ellerd, Inside Sales and Logistics

A transplant from Southern California and Montana, Nate Ellerd has lived in Humboldt County for 8 years.  He attended the University of Montana and graduated with a BA in Journalism Radio/ Television Production.  Many jobs have led him to the great team at AmHydro, including; construction crew for the water company, master control with and ABC affiliate, music/ movie supervisor and café manager for Borders, and marketing specialist for Electronic Arts.  He enjoys surfing, music, yoga, travelling, all sports, classic cars, cooking, gardening, fishing, hiking, boating, laughing, family and friends, etc.  He has three fire bellied toads, Rude Boy, Hot Tub and Poop. 

Eric Christian, Commercial Sales and Support

• Pre 1995 Working for American Hydroponics during the summers and throughout the year doing mainly manufacturing and production.
• 1995 – 1996 Graduated from Arcata High School and went to Falconers School of Piano Technology in Lakeport CA.
• 1996 - 1998 Managed the First NFT lettuce farm of its kind in the US. This position included his introduction to marketing and business. He learned first hand what skills and practices need be implemented to be a competent growing manager.
• 1998 - 2000 Spent 2 years abroad working and learning about carpentry, plumbing, electrical, cooking and basic contracting and design skills.
• Since 2000 Working for American Hydroponics and working his way up through the rank’s, finally landing in the Commercial Department.
• Eric has had his hand in almost everything and held the positions of inventory manager, purchasing agent, production manager, greenhouse manager, graphic designer, intruction writer, safety officer, commercial sales associate, and is still the resident nerd and go-to-guy for database problems and computer troubleshooting.
• Currently Eric is heading up the Commercial Department and working with growers from around the globe. Some of his greatest accomplishments and skills reside in system design for large commercial operations where all of his past positions and job skills are utilized.
• Eric was married to Emily in September of 06’ and is a salsa dance teacher on the side. Eric enjoys fly fishing with dad and brothers, working with new technology, playing music and hanging out with his wife Emily.

Kevin Hulcy, Production Manager

• 1997-1999 Part time R&R mechanic for Aamco Transmissions.
• 1998-2001 Kevin started off as a bag boy part time after school hours. Spent some time standing outside barbequing and boiling crab. Eventually worked his way up to Assistant manager at the grocery store and took classes for Architectural Drawing and Building Trades.
• 2001-2004 Warehouse Manager at McMahan’s Furniture and occasionally filled in on the sales floor.
• Since 2004 Started off in the steel department at American Hydroponics in 2004. Progressed into mixing specific nutrients for Commercial farming and thermoforming hobby trays and reservoirs. After a short while worked his way up to Shipping Manager, building Commercial NFT Systems, Ebb/Flow systems, and putting together Hobby and Commercial Doser systems. Kevin has been the production manager since 2005. He oversees all production and orders all the materials for the products we manufacture. Kevin also handles all the RA’s that come in, including Sun Twist and Sun Circle repairs.
• Kevin enjoys Riding ATV’s, tubing, wake boarding, camping, Gardening, and spending time with his family.