Ray Konisky is a University of Maine at Orono grad with deep roots in aquaculture and oyster restoration.  In his first job after college, he worked at the UM Darling Marine Center as a hatchery assistant and oyster researcher.  
Ray completed his PhD at University of New Hampshire and worked at the UNH Jackson Estuarine Lab on habitat restoration projects for salt marsh, eelgrass, and oysters.  He later joined the Nature Conservancy where he led successful efforts to restore tens of acres of native oyster reefs in New Hampshire.
Ray launched Friendship Oyster Company in 2012 and is the farm's sole proprietor.  His dream is to someday have Maine's historically prolific natural oyster beds returned to state waters.