Meet Our Team in Springfield, MO

Area Director
Independent Assistant Instructor Trainer

Ryan’s love for diving and boating has kept him around water all his life. Here in the Midwest, Diventures makes it possible to experience everything the water has to offer. Ryan has been an integral part of our team for nearly a decade. As Area Director of our stores in Missouri and Iowa, Ryan enjoys building passionate teams, inspiring new dive professionals, and constantly making lifelong friends through our team and, most of all, our customers!

Phone: 417.883.5151
Email: [email protected]

Scuba Experience Manager
Divemaster

I have always been passionate about the ocean and marine life since I was little. I knew I always wanted to get into scuba diving and explore new opportunities in the water. My favorite conversations revolve around sharks. I also love to travel, hike, and kayak.

Phone: 417.883.5151
Email: [email protected]

Customer Experience Specialist
Lifeguard Instructor Trainer, Swim Teacher Trainer & Assistant Instructor

Shyanne loves everything to do with water! She is currently a swim teacher instructor trainer, a lifeguard trainer, and an assistant scuba instructor. Shyanne loves being able to teach anyone of any age to have a passion for the water as she does. Shyanne enjoys hiking, spending days at the lake, and camping.

Phone: 417.744.9816
Email: [email protected]

Aquatics Experience Manager

I’ve always had a passion for anything related to the water. I grew up as a competitive swimmer and have nearly eight years of experience in aquatics. I enjoy teaching people how to swim, certifying lifeguards, and continually expanding my knowledge in the field. In my spare time, I also enjoy traveling and playing video games.

Phone: 417.744.9816
Email: [email protected]

Aquatics Experience Lead
Swim Teacher, Lifeguard & Lifeguard Instructor

Shawntel is a lover of nature, adventure, and helping others. She is a Level 1 diver and loves that teaching swim combines her passions for the water and people. She enjoys helping new swimmers overcome their fears while learning important safety skills. Shawntel also enjoys helping advanced swimmers crush their goals and learn new techniques.

Email: [email protected]

Deck Manager
Swim Teacher

Adam grew up around water and enjoys swimming, diving, snorkeling, and free diving. Adam likes spreading his love for the water with others. When Adam isn’t teaching swimming he likes to play video games or build/paint models. In addition to free diving, Adam got scuba certified in 2022.

Independent Assistant Instructor

Curtis got into scuba diving on a whim and has now been diving for five years. He enjoys getting to meet new people through diving and appreciates the lasting friendships that the sport has provided. His daughter recently got certified and his son hopes to do the same – once he gets a little older. Curtis has been diving in Belize, Honduras (Roatan) and Egypt (Red Sea), in addition to multiple lakes close to his home in Missouri. The excitement of diving, relaxing in the sun, meeting new people and creating lasting memories is what makes every dive trip so much fun!

Independent Assistant Instructor

Dave has been scuba diving since 1997. After nearly 25 years of service, he retired from the Tulsa Fire Department as a Captain, where he spent several years as an instructor. He had a passion for teaching rescue and survival skills to firefighters. Dave has recently become an Assistant Instructor for Divestures and plans on continuing his training to become an Open Water Instructor. Dave wants to combine the passion he had for training firefighters with his love for scuba diving.

Independent Instructor Certifier

Don is a level 10 diver, has been diving since 1964 and teaching safe scuba since 1966. He’s a world-traveling diver with extensive experience and a former scuba shop owner. He loves the people he teaches, getting to share with them his love of the sea, and making sure they enjoy safe diving!

Phone: 417.883.5151
Email: [email protected]

Independent Advanced Open Water Diver Instructor

Bio coming soon!

Phone: 417.883.5151
Email: [email protected]

Customer Experience Specialist

I was a student in the swim program at Diventures when I was young. I always admired the Scuba Staff back then and am so grateful that I get to be a part of the team!

I earned my Open Water certification at Diventures in 2022 and have been in love with diving ever since. I have a passion for getting people involved with diving and sharing my knowledge of scuba.

Independent Assistant Instructor

Fred owns his own plumbing business and when he isn’t at work, he loves to be diving! He has traveled many places around the world since he got certified in 2020. His favorite place to dive is Roatan. Fred enjoys teaching Try Scuba classes for all ages and help them find a love for scuba diving!

Independent Assistant Instructor

Greg is a level 5 diver and has been diving since 2019. He is always setting new goals to make himself a better diver. Now as an assistant instructor he has fell in love with teaching new divers learn to breath underwater!

Swim Teacher

Hailey is an incredibly positive person with a deep love for children. A lifelong athlete, she began swimming competitively at a young age and quickly discovered that the water was her favorite place to be. Her passion for swimming naturally led her to teaching, where she enjoys working with all ages, groups, and skill levels. Hailey is dedicated to helping her students grow not only as swimmers but also as individuals, always bringing enthusiasm and encouragement to every lesson.

Swim Teacher

Hunter began diving through Diventures in 2022, and within just a few hours, he knew he wanted to be part of the team. He enjoys goofing around and having a good time while helping others succeed.

Independent Open Water Diver Instructor
Service Technician

James started diving in 2015 and is a level 4 diver and a Master Diver. He got into the sport because he loves the ocean, especially Mandarin Gobies.

Phone: 417.883.5151
Email: [email protected]

Independent Assistant Instructor

With over three decades of diving experience, Jeff is a passionate diver and dedicated professional. Since 1988, he has practiced his skills to become a Level 8 Diver, with a deep commitment to both public safety and environmental conservation.

As a Public Safety Diver for the Sheriff’s Department serving the Buffalo River, he helps in a critical role in ensuring the safety of individuals in challenging river environments. In addition to public safety, Jeff is a Volunteer Maintenance Diver at Wonders of Wildlife Aquarium, where the maintenance team contribute their skills to maintaining the integrity and beauty of the facility’s aquatic exhibits. Jeff is also deeply invested in preserving natural ecosystems, actively participating in group lake and river clean-ups to help protect and restore local waterways.

Driven by a love for the water and a dedication to preserving it, Jeff tries to make a positive impact through both his professional and volunteer efforts.

Independent Open Water Diver Instructor

Jerod’s aquatic background spans over 20+ years. He received 80% of his training at Diventures and enjoyed every minute of it! He is excited to share his love of scuba diving with his students and help them accomplish their underwater goals!

Phone: 417.883.5151

Independent Open Water Diver Instructor

Jim has been diving since 1996 and is dedicated to the sport. His passion is teaching others to explore the underwater world, both basic open water classes and specialties.

Phone: 417.883.5151

Independent Assistant Instructor

John is a level 6 diver and works as an Assistant Instructor for Diventures. John has a diverse diving history. He enjoys working as a rescue & recovery diver for two sheriff departments nearby. He also is an avid spear fisherman. His biggest passion is teaching new divers and watching them grow.

Independent Assistant Instructor

Joyce never anticipated scuba diving would become her passion, especially since she once feared snorkeling. But everything changed when her husband suggested they learn to scuba dive and explore the Great Barrier Reef. After several months of training—where clearing her mask was a real challenge—she finally achieved her goal. In September 2019, they took their first ocean dive off a liveaboard in the Great Barrier Reef, and Joyce was instantly hooked! Now an Assistant Instructor, she’s eager to keep learning and share her love for diving. Joyce proudly identifies with the “80-80-80 club,” enjoying dives in warm waters (around 80°F), warm air above 80°F, and visibility of at least 80 feet. Her favorite dive spots? Anywhere she can blow bubbles and explore the wonders below.

Independent Assistant Instructor

Justin began diving in 2020 after taking a Try Scuba Course with Diventures and falling in love with the sport on a trip to Cozumel, Mexico, where he was Open Water certified. Justin’s continued education has come from Diventures, and he became an Assistant Instructor in 2024. He is excited to help students discover their confidence and develop their abilities, and discover a love for our underwater world!

Deck Manager
Swim Teacher

Kaden is a swim teacher, deck manager, and greeter. He has loved swimming since he was a little kid and enjoys passing on his knowledge and passion to his students. Kaden loves watching his student’s reactions when they reach their goal and become confident in and around the water. Kaden enjoys being outdoors, church, hanging out with loved ones, and reading books. His favorite part of being a swim teacher is watching his students level up. “Watching the joy on their faces is worth the work it took to get them there!”

Swim Instructor

Katie King is a seasoned aquatics professional with over 14 years of experience in the field. Her background includes teaching swim lessons, leading lifeguard trainings, and promoting water safety education for all ages. Katie’s passion for the outdoors led her to Hawaii, where she spent a year and a half as a kayak guide, sharing her love for adventure and marine environments. She holds a degree in Recreation, Park, and Sports Administration from Missouri State University, where she developed a strong foundation in program planning, leadership, and community recreation. Katie is dedicated to creating safe, fun, and enriching experiences in and around the water.

Independent Open Water Diver Instructor

I enjoy introducing customers to an adventure that few people get to experience. Not every student starts out being able to put on a mask and jump in the water. I work with each student at their comfort level, teaching them how to be a safe diver while having fun.

Phone: 417.883.5151
Email: [email protected]

Independent Open Water Diver Instructor

I absolutely love to watch people of all ages take their first breath underwater! Seeing people go from above the water to below the water, and realizing there is another world underwater, is priceless!

Phone: 417.883.5151
Email: [email protected]

Swim Teacher

Lucy has been a lifeguard since she was 16 and has been swimming competitively for the past three years, starting in her freshman year. Swimming gives her clarity and strong motivation. She enjoys working with kids of all ages and specializes in teaching all competitive swim strokes. Her favorite part of teaching is witnessing the “lightbulb” moment and seeing her students grow and feel accomplished.

Divemaster

Maddy has been scuba certified since she was ten years old and has been in love with scuba ever since. Maddy has over 100 logged dives and her favorite places to dive are Cozumel and Roatan. She loves to travel and learn new things, especially about marine life! Her favorite things to see while diving are green sea turtles. Maddy chose Diventures because she has a passion for teaching others about the wonders of scuba. She has also felt at home when at Diventures and wanted to be part of our work family!

Independent Open Water Instructor

Molly is a dedicated dive professional who loves teaching Open Water classes! She loves helping students gain the skills and confidence of the underwater world. Her bucket list destination is Antarctica!

Customer Experience Specialist

Noah discovered his passion for diving through our MSU college scuba class. He is currently pursuing his master diver rating and sports medicine degree. Noah especially enjoys the warmer months outdoors. You can often find him diving, paddle boarding, playing tennis, volleyball and pickleball with his friends and family. Noah also enjoys sharing his love of diving with others.

Director of Customer Experience
Instructor Trainer

Nolan has been diving since 1985 and an instructor since 1989. He has taught all levels of diving, wide range of specialties and been certified as an Instructor Trainer and Certifier. Nolan was recognized for his dedication to the highest standards of teaching by being awarded the NASDS Instructor of the Year in 1998.

Phone: 417.849.9455
Email: [email protected]

Independent Assistant Instructor

Stephanie started diving in 2007 after a lifetime of loving the water and being part of a family of divers. She began working at Diventures in 2023 and loves getting to be around others who share her passion for diving. Stephanie enjoys helping people get started on their own diving adventures and watching them develop a deeper love for water and marine life! Stephanie is a Level 4 Master Diver and wants to continue progressing in her journey in scuba diving to eventually start teaching classes.

Email: [email protected]

Service Technician
Divemaster & Independent Assistant Instructor

Warren’s been diving for thirteen years. After retiring, Warren started working as a service technician in the Springfield location. Warren has been on multiple trips with Diventures to the Caribbean.

Customer Experience Specialist
Independent Open Water Instructor

My background involves over 16 years of watersport-related activities at the lake. I have grown up around the water my entire life. I love seeing the look on people’s faces when they accomplish something new.

Phone: 417.883.5151
Email: [email protected]

Independent Assistant Instructor

Zach Copeland grew up in the Ozarks and has always had a love for the outdoors. His love and passion came from swimming and was fascinated with the underwater world at a young age. His parents introduced him to Scuba Diving when he was allowed to watch the movie Abyss at the age of 11. He immediately knew that he wanted to become a diver.

Zach moved to California in 2001 after high school to serve in the United States Marine Corps. While serving in the Marines, he obtained his Open Water Certification in 2003. He logged many wonderful dives in the Pacific Ocean. His favorite dives were with Sea Lions and wall diving in La Jolla Shores.

He loves working with students and seeing them experience scuba diving for the first time. His favorite diving spot is at Beaver Lake on the weekends. His other passions include hiking, backpacking, caving, and kayaking.