Murray worked with another hatchery for ten years before "going out on his own" to open Southern States Game Fish Hatchery. He was fortunate to find a facility, now the base operation of Southern States Hatchery, that had over 50 acres of water available in central Alabama.
Murray has always had a passion for the outdoors and for fishing. He grew up on a farm, with a big pond, where he fished constantly. He graduated from the pond to bigger lakes when he purchased his first bass boat, which he used to compete in some tournaments. His personal record is an 11 pound bass, caught in a pond of course. He also lifted an 8 pounder from a local lake. Murray's most memorable day of fishing was at Pickwick Lake where he and a buddy caught numerous small mouth bass on a day when no one was catching anything.
Murray is now instilling a passion for fishing into his two kids.
This is a family business with deep roots in Alabama and a tradition of outdoor activity.