Omaha, NE
Meet our team
Aaron Parson
Customer Experience Specialist Advanced Open Water Diver Instructor
I am a level 8 diver, have over 15 years experience as a scuba instructor, and I believe in preparing my students for their lifelong scuba journey. I will spend the time you need to ensure you are comfortable diving before sending you to the open water.
Phone: 402.933.6251Email: [email protected]
Alaria Bode
Alisa Moody
Customer Experience Specialist
Alisa is originally from Florida and has an extensive aquatic background. She was a competitive swimmer for 9 years and has been a lifeguard, swim teacher, and swim coach for over 14 years. She became an open water diver instructor in college and instructed in her home state and in the Caribbean for almost 7 years. When she is not in the water, Alisa has worked as a Kindergarten teacher and travel agent. She is thrilled to join the Diventures family!
Phone: 402.933.6251
Allan Albert
Assistant Instructor
Al started diving in 2014 and has logged over 100 dives since becoming certified. He is a Divemaster, a level 5 diver and active in the Landlocked Scuba Club. His favorite dive locations include Key Largo, the Bahamas, Cozumel, Jamaica, and Table Rock Lake. In between dives he teaches in the Social Science department at Bellevue East High School.
Phone: 402.933.6251
Anna Ganzel
Autumn Wood
Swim TeacherMarketing Intern
Whether it’s working on land or in the water, Autumn is always having fun! She started at Diventures as a swim teacher and recently joined the marketing team! Autumn is a former Omaha Zoo Academy student who values education about ocean conservation in addition to swim safety. She is also a collegiate athlete with a passion for coaching and leadership, which she applies to all her swim lessons!
Phone: 402.933.6251Email: [email protected]
Becca Tietz
Ben Murphy
Chad Binder
Instructor TrainerExtended Range Instructor
Chad has been diving since 2002 and shares his passion with his family. His wife is an Advanced Open Water Instructor and his son is an Advanced Open Water Diver. Chad is a level 9 diver and teaches a variety of classes and specialties. With a goal of diving all seven continents, he loves finding new dive destinations.
Phone: 402.933.6251Email: [email protected]
Chase Hall
Chris Eaton
Open Water Diver Instructor
Chris, a former Army Field Artillery Captain, has been diving since he was 17 and has been teaching students around the world since 2012. He has visited over 40 countries and has logged over 2000 dives while he continues to deepen his knowledge in technical diving, particularly in cave/wreck penetrations. He enjoys volunteering with disabled veterans, the youth, and in marine conservation programs.
Phone: 402.933.6251
Chuck Sellers
Divemaster
Chuck has been diving since the mid 90’s when he completed his first dives in the great lakes. Although Chuck enjoys the warm Caribbean waters each year, his focus is on local inland lake diving, spear fishing and cavern diving.
Phone: 402.933.6251
Cindy Hathaway
Dave Dietze
Divemaster Instructor
Dave learned to dive in 1985 while stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Previously a PADI rescue diver, Dave currently teaches a variety of SSI specialties and is a level 8 diver. With his own photography business, he has a real passion for teaching Underwater Photography.
Phone: 402.933.6251Email: [email protected]
Dave Wiegand
Instructor Trainer
After serving 25 years in the Air Force as an instructor pilot and jumpmaster, I have a real passion for teaching and I enjoy helping people increase their confidence and ability in an activity that can be a bit outside their comfort level. I am a level 7 diver and love to help people experience the thrill of diving on their own.
Phone: 402.933.6251Email: [email protected]
Delaney Hill
Swim Teacher
I love working with kids and seeing the progression of their swimming skills!
Phone: 402.933.6251
Devin Bright
Open Water Diver Instructor
Devin began diving in 2003 and has taught scuba diving in New Mexico and Virginia in his time as a dive professional. Originally from Kansas, Devin has travelled the world as an U.S Army Aviation officer and Operations Research analyst for the last 16 years. In his free time he enjoys hiking with his dog, flying, and riding his motorcycles.
Phone: 402.933.6251
Doug Junge
Open Water Diver Instructor
Doug has been diving since 2012 and is a level 6 diver. He has travelled throughout the Caribbean experiencing different reef systems and cultures. Doug is also a Physical Therapist and loves to share his love for the ocean with his patients and others.
Phone: 402.933.6251Email: [email protected]
Elliott Pickinpaugh
Swim Teacher
I started my swimming career at the College of St. Mary’s and quickly advanced to their youth swim team. I love working with kids and helping them better their swimming abilities.
Phone: 402.933.6251
Erika Roberts
Divemaster Instructor
Erika has over 12 years of experience in dive operations and is also an Advanced Open Water Instructor. Erika loves helping our teams continue to provide exceptional customer service every day.
Phone: 402.933.6251Email: [email protected]
Frank Wells
Instructor Certifier
Frank has been diving since the 60’s with dive experiences across the world. Certified as an instructor in 1975, he has the distinction of being a Course Director Emeritus with NAUI, an Instructor for the elite SSI Platinum Pro 5000, an SSI Instructor Certifier and level 10 diver. His knowledge, demeanor and expertise make him an excellent instructor and a great dive buddy.
Phone: 402.933.6251Email: [email protected]
George Pasika
Open Water Diver Instructor
George was certified in 2010. His passion for diving led him to become a dive professional and share his knowledge and experience with new divers young and old. His favorite part of teaching is seeing people succeed.
Phone: 402.933.6251Email: [email protected]
Janna Binder
Advanced Open Water Diver Instructor
Janna has been diving since 1995 when she learned in the pool on the backlot tour at Walt Disney World. She’s been an instructor since 2012, is a level 7 diver, has a deep interest in marine life and loves teaching Fish ID.
Phone: 402.933.6251Email: [email protected]
Jason Anderson
Service ManagerAdvanced Open Water Diver Instructor
Jason has valuable experience in diving in diverse water conditions. As a level 7 diver, he possesses a high level of scuba and water safety knowledge. He is an open water instructor and teaches several specialty classes. Jason is a full-time Captain for the Omaha Fire Department and is a member of Omaha’s Public Safety Dive Team.
Phone: 402.933.6251Email: [email protected]
Jennifer Genua-McDaniel
Lifeguard
Becoming a lifeguard was on Jennifer’s bucket list since she was 16 years old. At 37, she took the plunge as an adult student and got certified through Diventures. She loves to swim and spends her time between the Coral Coast in Fiji and Omaha.
Phone: 402.933.6251
Jim Hayes
Assistant Instructor
I spent the first 34 years of my life living by the ocean. As a result, I’ve always loved being in, on, and around the water. Several years ago, I made the decision to transition from a snorkeler to a diver. My only regret in making that decision was that I didn’t do it earlier. My passion for diving led me to become a dive pro and a Diventures trip leader. I love getting to know people who travel with us and I’m excited to meet new people as we continue to visit exciting dive locations. I’m a Divemaster and a level 5 diver. And, if I’m not underwater, you may find me riding around town on my Honda Goldwing.
Phone: 402.933.6251Email: [email protected]
Keith Holmes
Divemaster
Since he was a boy of 8, living on the shores of North Carolina, watching the scuba divers, Keith has always wanted to swim with the fishes. It only took him 40 years and a move to Nebraska to do just that. He has been diving since 2015, is a level 5 diver, and very active in the Landlocked Scuba Club. When not underwater Keith can be found working with children as a Kid’s Pastor at a local church, riding his motorcycle or hanging with family and friends on his back porch.
Phone: 402.933.6251
Kenny Elms
Open Water Diver Instructor
I am an avid diver that dives in cold and warm water — anywhere — any time. I am a level 6 diver and a technical diver certified in deco diving in OC and CC.
Phone: 402.933.6251
Lauren Newton
Lyssa Hernandez
Swim Teacher
Lyssa has years of competitive swim experience and enjoys teaching swim lessons. She is thrilled to be a part of such a positive swim environment!
Phone: 402.933.6251
Madelayna Hekrdle
Maria Lizardi
Aquatics Experience Manager
Maria has been in the aquatics environment since 2013 when she first became a lifeguard. She has always enjoyed swimming and being around the water. What she loves most about this job is seeing students excel during their swim lessons and helping grow the aquatics program.
Phone: 402.933.6251Email: [email protected]
Marisa Hekrdle
Swim Teacher
I participated in high school swimming all four years. I worked as a lifeguard for two seasons and as head lifeguard for one season. And I coached a recreational swim team for two seasons. I am happy to work at Diventures in the environment I love to ensure water safety for all.
Phone: 402.933.6251
Marty Hannaford
Advanced Open Water Diver Instructor
Marty has been diving since 2005, has been an Instructor since 2012 and has over 500 dives. His dive experience includes the Caribbean and Pacific Islands. He’s also a a Rebreather Instructor and certified to teach a wide variety of specialty courses.
Phone: 402.933.6251Email: [email protected]
Matt Ryle
Matt Timm
Store Manager
I have over 20+ years of retail management experience with a primary focus on providing great experiences and excellent customer service.
Phone: 402.933.6251Email: [email protected]
Mike Poole
Advanced Open Water Diver InstructorService Technician
Mike has been diving since the 70s while in college. His military career provided opportunities to dive around the world. With an undergrad degree in Environmental Science, and a master’s degree in Aerospace Sciences, he loves both flying and diving. Mike’s passion while diving is searching for artifacts and fossils in the rivers and shallow surf off the southeast United States. Mike is a level 9 diver.
Phone: 402.933.6251Email: [email protected]
Nick Wees
Scuba Experience Manager
I love talking with customers about their travel and diving experiences. I have a strong passion and love for animals, which has given me the opportunity to intern at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and Reptile Conservancy as well as becoming an Aquarium Manager. I am eager to expand my knowledge of the underwater world.
Phone: 402.933.6251Email: [email protected]
Pat Purkhiser
Instructor TrainerService Technician
Pat has been diving since the 70’s. As a level 10 diver with over 5,440 dives, Pat has an incredible depth of knowledge in several subjects such as SCUBA Diving, Marine Biology, First Aid, H2O Rescue and Dive Travel. He is a certified Instructor Trainer and teaches multiple specialty classes including Marine Ecology and DAN first Aid. Pat also played a vital role in helping create the Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo Academy where taught zoology and anatomy for several years, before recently retiring. In his free time since retirement, Pat teaches Marine Ecology classes and DAN first Aid classes at Diventures. If you stop by Diventures, please pop your head in the scuba shop and say hello.
Phone: 402.933.6251Email: [email protected]
Rachel Drew
Swim Teacher
I’ve always loved being in and around the water since I was little. I enjoy working with little kiddos and teaching them new skills!
Phone: 402.933.6251
Ryan Loewenstein
Service Technician Open Water Diver Instructor
Ryan joined the Diventures family in 2018. He is a US Navy veteran, a public safety diver, and a member of the Omaha Fire Department. With a strong passion for diving, he loves helping others learn more about diving and advancing their skills to become great divers!
Phone: 402.933.6251Email: [email protected]
Scott Hegenbart
Open Water Diver Instructor
Scott has been involved with aquatics for several years. He fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a scuba diver when he received his Open Water Certification from Diventures in 2012. Scott is a level 5 diver and enjoys introducing people to the underwater world!
Phone: 402.933.6251Email: [email protected]
Scotty Scott
Swim Teacher
I’ve had a love for swim my entire life! I was a Boy Scout lifeguard for 11 years and I continue to work with scouts at the scout swims here at Diventures. I love to teach and help others have fun and be safe in and around the water!
Phone: 402.933.6251Email: [email protected]
Stacie Haneline
Stephanie Cherry
Aquatics Experience LeadSwim Teacher
I have a passion for teaching and the water! I love that I can combine both my passions to help kids be confident swimmers.
Phone: 402.933.6251
Ted Fitzsimmons
Instructor TrainerService Technician
Ted is a level 8 diver and has been diving since 2006 with over 1,000 dives. He is a certified Instructor Trainer with SSI, a Lifeguard CPR/FA/AED/O2 Instructor with American Red Cross, an a certified D.A.N. Instructor. He is also a full-time law enforcement officer in the state of Nebraska.
Phone: 402.933.6251Email: [email protected]
Tom DeLong
Customer Experience Specialist
Tom is a Business Development executive during the day. At nights, as well as on weekends, he enjoys sharing his passion of scuba diving. Tom is a level 3 diver, passionate about traveling and exploring the ocean.
Phone: 402.933.6251Email: [email protected]
Trinity Lewis
Valerie Gamon
Swim Teacher
I have been swimming my entire life, and love to help others learn new skills! Whether you’re new to the pool or looking to improve your strokes, I’m here for you! I enjoy working with all ages and have an upbeat and optimistic teaching style.
Phone: 402.933.6251