From a young age, Matthew Blendermann was fascinated by aquatic systems and drawn to the idea of using them to improve life for others. With support from his family, that early interest grew into a lifelong purpose that’s stronger than ever.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in Aquaculture and Aquarium Science from the University of New England, which was among a small number of U.S. schools offering the program at the time. Since graduating, he’s added certifications through the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), the Aquatic Animal Life Support Operators (AALSO), and the Divers Alert Network (DAN)—some of his greatest accomplishments.
While his background and training is in marine science, Blendermann moves through his work and life focused on the people around him, consistently trying to leave every person and place better than he found it.
A Passion Sparked by a Childhood Fishing Trip
Blendermann traces the beginning of his interest in aquaculture to a fishing trip with his grandfather, who had spent part of his life farming in Indiana. Hearing about food production while watching fish sparked something that stayed with him long after the trip ended. The idea of combining those two environments—land and water—would eventually lead him to pursue aquaculture.
In high school, he competed in the National Ocean Science Bowl and reached the national level. That experience deepened his connection to marine science and helped build the foundation for his academic goals. At the University of New England, Blendermann focused on aquaculture and aquarium science, developing practical skills for working with aquatic environments in real-world settings.
He later earned his Enriched Air (Nitrox) Divemaster certification through PADI, and continued professional development through DAN and AALSO. These programs gave him additional training in aquatic safety, underwater protocols, and life support operations—each one reinforcing his ability to work in environments where timing, planning, and attention to detail matter.
Finding Purpose in Unseen Responsibilities
One of the biggest lessons in Blendermann’s early career came while working at Olympus Dive Center. Tasked with sorting through a massive backlog of customer records, he initially saw the job as tedious and boring. However, as the system came together, he started to understand how much smoother it made things for the rest of the staff.
That experience changed how he views support work. Since then, he’s taken just as much care with behind-the-scenes tasks as he has with big projects. Whether it’s organizing files, improving communication, or helping someone stay on track, he focuses on the small actions that make the whole operation run more efficiently.
Blendermann’s certifications in aquatic life support and diving safety helped reinforce that idea. In places where small mistakes can lead to bigger issues, staying organized and ready is essential. That understanding shapes how he works, how he supports others, and how he earns the trust of others.
Stepping Up to Support Others When It Matters Most
Blendermann’s sense of responsibility doesn’t stop at work. When one of his friends needed to move from Massachusetts to Virginia—roughly 600 miles—to leave an abusive home, he was the one who stepped in to help. Even after the move, he stayed involved to offer emotional and financial support.
In another case, a coworker was having a hard time with undiagnosed mental health concerns. Blendermann talked with him privately and encouraged him to speak with a professional, despite his friend initially being closed off to the idea. Eventually, his friend sought help and, since then, has become noticeably happier and more focused.
While Blendermann doesn’t belong to any volunteer groups at the moment, he often donates to personal fundraisers and shows up when his friends need help. These efforts aren’t one time gestures, but a reflection of what he values most.
Learning From Failure, Then Finding His Rhythm
In his first year of college, Blendermann learned the hard way that relying on natural talent alone wasn’t enough. Without a consistent routine in place, he struggled to keep up. It was only after he started falling behind that he realized how much discipline—and effort—really mattered.
Since then, he’s developed a rhythm that works well. His days start early, at 5:30 a.m., with a quick breakfast and a morning shift at his part-time job. Most afternoons he can be found working on personal projects or leaning into his hobbies. While it would be ideal for each day to run smoothly, Blendermann doesn’t expect perfection. When his energy is low, he focuses on taking it one day at a time and keeps moving forward from there.
It’s the kind of routine he wishes he’d developed sooner. If he could go back, he’d tell his younger self to start forming good habits sooner, trust his own ability more, and not wait around for motivation to show up before getting to work.
Using Writing to Explore Complexity and Connection
Outside of his technical training, Matthew Blendermann also has a creative side. He spends a lot of his free time writing, which he considers one of his strongest self-taught skills. While much of his writing focuses on short stories that draw inspiration from the ocean, he’s always working on what will one day become his first novel.
Much of his growth as a writer has come from reading and studying the work of other writers. Rather than mimicking style, he pays close attention to what makes certain lines resonate—like cadence, phrasing, and how individual words are chosen. That observation has helped him find his voice, one that’s both intentional and evolving.
When a certain passage doesn’t land quite right, Blendermann keeps working at it. Sometimes that means rewording a sentence once—other times, several times—until it matches the tone or rhythm he’s going for. His process is persistent and patient, more about clarity than perfection, and something that’s helped him find his own sense of style and voice.
One of the books he always comes back to and highly recommends is “The Dragon Behind the Glass” by Emily Voigt. The story traces a journalist’s unexpected fascination with the world’s most sought-after aquarium fish and follows that interest across continents, from New York to Borneo. It combines scientific discovery with personal obsession, and for Blendermann, reflects many of the themes that drive his own curiosity.
Learning From the Best
When asked about the biggest influences in his life, two people come to mind. One of them was his high school agriculture teacher, Matthew Smith. As a mentor in the school’s vocational program, Smith created an environment where students could take their interests seriously. For Blendermann, that meant seeing aquaculture not just as a subject—but as a career worth pursuing. Smith gave him space to push himself and the support to keep going, which helped him feel more confident in taking that path.
His mother has also played a defining role. She’s the business leader he looks up to most, and he admires the way she faces challenges head-on, stays positive, and works harder than anyone else he knows. Over the years, her efforts have led to real success, and Blendermann hopes to replicate that within his own life.
A Practical, Human Definition of Success
For Blendermann, success means doing the job well and finishing it within a reasonable timeframe. He values results that come from effort, not recognition, and focuses on how his work can make things easier or better for others. Positivity, drive, and a willingness to help others are three qualities that have helped him succeed.
In group settings, he typically chooses to take on the task that will lift the greatest weight from someone else’s shoulders, even if that means doing the hardest or most time-consuming work himself. When he has to assign or delegate responsibilities among team members, he prioritizes matching each task to people’s specific strengths instead of focusing on getting the project over with quickly.
As a leader, Blendermann brings a combination of kindness, dedication, and strong organizational skills. He believes that people do their best work when they feel supported, so he focuses on encouraging others and maintaining a positive mood and atmosphere. Even in tense situations, he stays calm—choosing thoughtful responses over impulsive reactions to avoid creating additional problems.
Building the Future One Step at a Time
For Matthew Blendermann—New London, CT is home, and the place where he continues to search for his next big career move. Currently, he’s exploring opportunities in aquaculture and traditional commercial fisheries—fields that fit with his training, interests, and long-term goals. What matters most to him in this season is staying useful, continuing to grow, and doing work that helps protect the ocean and support others.
