Who we are
Mike Kaminski is the founding partner of Hydrologic Systems LLC. He is an inventor and water treatment specialist with a background in biology, freshwater ecosystems/limnology, and water and wastewater treatment. He holds a Bachelor’s of Biology from Kenyon College and a Master’s in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University. Mike realizes that many aspects of water treatment have not been substantially updated or reimagined in over 100 years. Water treatment could be more energy efficient and waste stream neutral. Mike wants to outfit small water treatment operations with industrial-grade sensor-based actuation, remote control, and machine control strategies. While working at a water treatment company, Mike developed a prototype wastewater treatment and water recycling system for the US DOD that was based on a novel bioreactor, filtration, and treatment strategy that saved energy and improved water quality.
From a young age, Mike has been fascinated with water and water treatment. Growing up with a pool, Michael has perfected his pool chemical treatment strategy over the years, first manually, and then automatically by building an automated system called Poolside. To commercialize Poolside, Mike Kaminski and Mike Gonek joined forces and formed Hydrologic Systems LLC in 2023. Mike enjoys skiing, cooking, and improving upon the usefulness of existing machines.
Mike Gonek is a Los Angeles-based platinum music producer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter. He also composes music for TV and advertising campaigns. Notable recent work includes Apple, Meta, Gatorade, Bud Light, Uber, and the US Army, along with several feature films and video games.
Before this, he studied at the University of Toronto, specializing in Human biology, and the philosophy of science. Aside from music, his clear passion for science and technology has enabled him to embed himself in several cutting-edge projects, spanning from blockchain to AI health software. In 2022, he and Michael Kaminski joined forces, both sharing their mutual love for pools and became founding partners in Hydrologic Systems LLC the following year. Mike has been instrumental in People Operations, corporate communications, and funding initiatives.
Daniel Phinney is the Director of Electrical Engineering at Hydrologic Systems LLC Daniel has extensive experience in leading international electrical engineering teams of up to 38 people, has a leadership style of empowerment and mentorship, holds 22 patents, and has led the PCB design process from start to completion on over 40 PCBAs projects. He excels at team building, innovation, system engineering, project management, low-cost/high-reliability electronics, and high-speed communication interfaces. Mr. Phinney has an Associate’s Degree from Alfred State College, a BS in microprocessor design, and a Master’s in mixed-signal ASIC from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Dan was directly responsible for an annual budget of between $5M and $10M and an annual PCBA spend of between $17M and $20M. Daniel has extensive experience in ASIC design, embedded microprosors, high-speed digital, mixed-signal, high-power PCBAs, and machine control as well as in electrical engineering management concerns that include new product development, design, and introduction, product innovation, team development, and system engineering.
Mr. Phinney teaches seven electrical engineering courses on software and hardware design at the University of Rochester, and his hobbies include building acoustic guitars and rebuilding old houses.
J Max Morris is a Hardware Engineer at Hydrologic Systems LLC where he has led the design of our PCBs and electrical architecture, working to analyze system requirements and determine requisite electrical components and architecture. He is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Acoustics and Signal Processing at the University of Rochester, where he also earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Audio and Music Engineering.
During his time in college, Max has worked extensively on hardware design projects including the design of guitar pedals, 500 series audio FX units, and audio amplifiers. Outside of school, Max has worked in multiple recording studios in Nashville, TN handling responsibilities such as assisting clients and engineers, and with technical work renovating studios. Hobbies include playing/recording music and rock climbing.
Cash Close is a Software Engineer at Hydrologic Systems LLC and has created system firmware, software, and he is responsible for the server backend and functionality of the user interfacing app. He has been an avid programmer and musician since pre-adolescence, enjoying the balance between creative and technical. Cash earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Audio & Music Engineering and his Master’s in Electrical Engineering at the University of Rochester.
Cash, having lived for three years on a 43’ sailboat traveling through the Bahamas and S. America, has a love for adventure and travel, as well as music, electronics, and software design.
Mark Bocko is the Director of CEIS, a NYSTAR Center of Advanced Technology at the University of Rochester whose mission is to encourage and support University-Industry collaboration to create economic impact and jobs in NY. Hydrologic Systems LLC approached CEIS last year seeking assistance with an automated swimming pool monitoring/maintenance system and Mark put him in contact with Daniel Phinney, an Electrical and Computer Engineering professor at the University of Rochester with decades of industry experience before joining the ECE Department. Prof Phinney and a couple of Masters students at the University have been working with Hydrologic Systems over the past year to develop the prototype system, refine the designs, and create manufacturing-ready designs.
Mark views his sponsorship of Hydrologic Systems’ manufacturing grant proposal as the next step in this engagement, and he is committed to continuing to offer support and encouragement as Hydrologic Systems LLC’s product is brought to market.
The future of pool monitoring and Maintenance
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