I am a graduate of the City University of New York, with a B.S. Degree in Chemistry.  My experience in the Swimming Pool and Spa Industry goes back over thirty years.  During this period, I have helped tens of thousands of consumers and dealers solve pool and spa water chemistry and water quality problems.

I have worked as a Research Chemist in Quality Control and Product Development,  for two of the leading companies,  in the Cosmetic and Proprietary Drug Industries.  Accomplishments include a U.S. Patent for a Hair Coloring Composition, presentation of an original chemical research paper at a national scientific meeting and the authoring of an article based on that work: later published in a leading trade magazine.

In 1973, I co-founded Hydrology Laboratories, which became one of the leading and most respected manufacturers of Specialty Chemicals for Pools and Spas.  In 1974, I was instrumental in the development of this industry's first use of Computerized Water Analysis, by swimming pool dealers as a successful, in-store problem-solving tool.  Dealers continued to use this system well into the 2000's.  It was considered the industry benchmark, right from the start.  Product development work led to the introduction and marketing of many new and innovative pool and spa specialty chemical products.  I have appeared as a speaker at several National Spa and Pool Institute (N.S.P.I.) meetings and have authored articles that were published or have contributed to articles that were published in industry trade publications. 

After the sale of Hydrology Laboratories in 1991, to one of the industry's leading companies, I remained on-staff as a technical specialist.  Since March, 1998, on their behalf, I began to provide technical assistance, using e-mail as the medium.  This led to the development of archives of previously asked and answered questions, that expanded over time.  Thousands upon thousands of e-mails were answered each year: from every state and around the world.  I personally answered all e-mail questions, in a style that was objective and uncomplicated.  The archives grew to be a valuable dealer and consumer resource.  With the subsequent acquisition of the company by another industry leader, my association with the website concluded in 2001.  In addition to my Aqua Clear responsibilities, in 1991, I founded Aqualab Systems, Inc., a manufacturer of professional water analysis materials, for use with the Aquascan and Aqualab Water Analyzers.  In 2010, my formulation work, on a swimming pool specialty product, resulted in the awarding of another U.S. Patent.

AskAlanAQuestion.com is a pool and spa archive and informational website, that is useful, to consumers and dealers alike.  Its content deals with real-life situations.  There is no affiliation between this website and any major, full-line manufacturer of pool or spa chemical products!