1968-
2019-
Jack Van Olst worked in a Fisheries Program in Chile involving a survey of the surf clam (Mesodesma) population in Arica. He continued working in fisheries after returning to the US, as an aquaculture researcher working on American lobster culture in power plant thermal effluent at San Diego State Univ (1970-80). He then developed an aquaculture research and production company focused on striped bass, largemouth bass, and tilapia grown in geothermal water near the Salton Sea (1973-present). He writes that: “PC service accelerated my desire to use technology to solve practical problems, and my fisheries experience, foreign language skills, and government service all assisted in getting grant and private funding for my company. Staying in touch with many of the members of our group for more than 50 years has been an unexpected bonus from Peace Corps service. As I have watched how others have worked worldwide to improve the human condition, I feel honored to have been a small part of such a caring group of people."