Aquatic Development Group (ADG), a leading water park and recreational design, construction and manufacturing firm, has been named a ‘Top Workplace’ by the Times Union, a longstanding local newspaper.
This accolade is awarded to firms based entirely on anonymous employee surveys. The organisation is recognised as a Top Workplace if the overall feedback exceeds national benchmarks.
Over 50 years of experience
ADG’s leadership team received this recognition at the Times Union Top Workplaces award ceremony on 11 April. The Top Workplace award reflects ADG’s core values, which focus on excellent clients and projects, and fostering a supportive workplace culture.
Located in the centre of the Capital Region, Aquatic Development Group (ADG) is a highly regarded water park and leisure design, construction, and manufacturing company in North America. With more than five decades of expertise, ADG has a 75% return client base and its products and services are employed in over 4,000 locations across six continents.
The firm’s 100-strong team has worked on many projects close to its headquarters. Notable projects in New York include the Ciccotti Centre in Albany, the Kartrite Resort & Indoor Water Park in Monticello, and Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Water Park in Queensbury. In addition, ADG also produced the longest mountain coaster in North America at the Olympic Regional Development Authority in Lake Placid.
Further afield, ADG’s portfolio includes collaborations with top industry organisations such as Six Flags, Kalahari Resorts, Great Wolf Lodge, Gaylord Hotels, Wilderness Resorts, Premier Parks, SeaWorld, Disney, and others. ADG’s client base has increased internationally in recent years, indicating the company’s global reach and continuous expansion.
Jim Dunn, president of Aquatic Development Group, says: “At ADG, our commitment to a design led, design-build approach ensures a reliable path to a unique design, delivered in a way that provides security for our clients and results that surpass those offered by any other firm. It’s this comprehensive approach, delivered by our people, that fosters loyalty and repeat clientele. We may not be the biggest firm in the industry, but we offer exceptional projects and results that outpace the industry.”
Supportive workplace culture
ADG’s success is driven by its creative, motivated, and forward-thinking people. Employees are encouraged to cultivate both professional and personal development. Innovation and creativity drive the firm and its employees forward and result from challenging and expressing ideas and thinking outside the box. Many of ADG’s team members have been with the company for more than two decades, demonstrating the strong sense of belonging and mutual respect that defines the workplace culture.
Bruce Quay, chief operating officer of Aquatic Development Group, comments: “Our success over the last 50+ years is due in large part to the talent and dedication of our employees. There is a reason that 25% of our workforce has been here over 20 years and 35% of our workforce has joined us in the last five years.
“People join ADG because every day is an opportunity to create, to be challenged and to grow. Our employees stay because, long before it was essential, ADG has been dedicated to supporting each employees need to balance the challenge of our jobs and responsibilities to our families.”
ADG places a high priority on giving back to the community in addition to fostering internal employee growth and opportunities. Its support of events such as the World’s Largest Swim Lesson and its volunteer work on beach clean-ups demonstrates the firm’s dedication to programmes that promote water safety and environmental preservation.
Ken Ellis, the chief executive officer of Aquatic Development Group, says: “I am incredibly honored that Aquatic Development Group has been recognized with the Times Union Top Workplaces award. This tribute is a testament to our unwavering commitment to our employees and the vibrant and creative work culture we’ve cultivated.
“At ADG, we truly value our team members – they are the heart and soul of our organization, and this recognition reinforces our dedication to fostering a supportive and fulfilling workplace environment where everyone can thrive.”
International growth
ADG is currently working on a number of active projects around the US, including the $400m, cutting-edge OKANA Resort and Indoor Water Park in Oklahoma City. Additionally, the firm is exploring several prospects in the Middle East and Europe for its wave and surf product range.
These upcoming projects underscore ADG’s commitment to growing its global reach, diversifying its client base, and emphasising innovation to satisfy the constantly changing demands of the market and its customers.
Aquatic Development Group (ADG) recently celebrated the opening of the latest expansion at Wilderness at the Smokies Resort in Tennessee, US. The firm has designed and built the extension, together with several upgrades and additions to the internal and external waterpark areas. This project nearly doubles the capacity of the park’s indoor waterpark, Wild Water Dome, and opened to the public in December 2023.
