Ken Ellis Aquatic Development Group, Inc.

Ken Ellis is the CEO and owner of Aquatic Development Group (ADG) - a design, builder, and specialty manufacturer for the water park and resort industry. ADG is based in Albany, NY and consists of 120 employees working throughout North America and beyond. Ken was also co-owner of the Camelback Resort in the Poconos, PA. During a twenty-year ownership they transformed Camelback from a seasonal ski area to a four-season resort property consisting of skiing, snowtubing, adventure park and a 400+ room hotel and indoor waterpark.

ADG is a unique business as the company does not have one specific competitor. The competitive edge they hold in the industry is the “process”. ADG can guide a project from the beginning stages of concept design straight down the line through engineering, construction, special manufacturing, right to opening, with a team under one roof. The competition for this would be an owner hiring all those disciplines separately for a project.

ADG grew from a commercial pool construction business that Ken’s father Herb joined in the late 1950s, selling pools while attending college. One of his first sales was to Maria von Trapp for the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont, known more famously from the 1965 movie based on her memoir, The Sound of Music. Over the last 60 years, ADG has designed, built, or supplied, over 5000 projects around the country.

Ken is grateful for the moments he shares living close to many members of his family. He has the pleasure of being best friends with his ex-wife Kristina, with whom they share two sons, Taylor and Ben. Taylor is enjoying a career at ADG, is happily married to Tonya, and has a beautiful young daughter – keeping everyone busy navigating the toddler years. Ken’s younger son Ben is focused on his own company and an avid runner and hiker.

Ken doesn’t just have one memorable YPO experience but what he truly values are the connections, and more specifically, the Forum experience. He’s developed the richest bonds of his life with Forum mates, and for that he is truly grateful.