Diventures will carry forward the multi–generational legacy of the McNeese family and welcomes The Dive Shop team and customers to the Diventures family.
OMAHA, Neb. (October 3, 2022) – Omaha, Nebraska–based Diventures, the nation’s largest and fastest–growing network of swim and scuba centers, announced its latest expansion with the acquisition of The Dive Shop locations in Memphis, Tenn.; Little Rock, Ark.; and Marietta, Ga. The Dive Shop was originally founded by Doug Sr.and Louise McNeese in 1961 with one location in Memphis, Tenn. Doug Sr.’s son, Doug, and his wife, Kathy, acquired The Dive Shop in 1975 and expanded it across four states.
“I am beyond humbled and honored for Doug and Kathy to entrust the Diventures team with continuing and building on the decades–long and multi–generational legacy of the McNeese family. This legacy started with Doug Sr. and Louise in 1961 and has been carried on and elevated by Doug and Kathy McNeese,” said Dean Hollis, founder and owner of Diventures. “Doug McNeese is a true industry icon. His impact spans every aspect of the scuba world. He has been a mentor, advisor and friend to Diventures even before our first store opened in 2009. Our team has benefited immensely from his guidance. Most importantly, Doug’s friendship and mentorship is very special to me, both professionally and personally. I look forward to working even closer with Doug going forward.”
The Dive Shop was started by Doug and Louise McNeese in Memphis, Tenn. in 1961.
“We are excited to welcome The Dive Shop’s leadership team of Randy Wright, Mike McCrory and Rusty Boudoin to the Diventures family as well as their retail, dive professional and swim teaching teams,” Hollis continues. “We look forward to supporting them and learning from their extensive knowledge and years of experience. Most importantly, we look forward to meeting and serving The Dive Shop customers. We are committed to earning their trust, confidence and friendship.”
“This three-location acquisition further expands our geographic reach into two new states (Arkansas and Tennessee) and increases our presence in existing geographies (Georgia),” said William Munroe, General Manager of Diventures. “Our new and existing Diventures customers have a lot to look forward to with this acquisition. Given our shared value of putting customers first, our teams will incorporate strengths from both organizations to improve our customer experience nationwide,” Munroe continued.
Doug Sr. opened The Dive Shop on January 1, 1961, at 1390 North Hollywood in Memphis, Tenn.
“We’re thrilled to incorporate The Dive Shop’s scuba and service best practices to our existing stores and excited to bring Diventures’ safety-focused learn-to-swim program, industry leading travel calendar and state-of-the-art aquatics training facilities to these new markets–all while maintaining the closeness to our customers that gives our stores that ‘local dive shop’ feel. This is truly an acquisition where the combination brings our customers value far greater than the sum of our parts,” Munroe concluded.
“When you build a business that stands the test of time, you want its legacy to regenerate with scale to offer even more to your staff and customers,” stated Doug McNeese. “This is the essence of The Dive Shop and Diventures business model. After working with Dean and his team for the last 13 years, we are confident the expertise, professionalism and skill that Diventures offers will only enhance the current experience at The Dive Shop.”
“This is not goodbye. Our customers will still be working with all the same familiar faces and personalities they have come to love and will begin to see how this growth will offer even more opportunities to experience the best in dive training, equipment, travel and more. Our priority has always been our customers, and that will never change. We are excited for this new era of The Dive Shop Family,” McNeese continued.
About The Dive Shop:
The Dive Shop was started by Doug Sr. and Louise McNeese in Memphis, Tenn. in 1961. The TV program “Sea Hunt” inspired Doug Sr. to learn to dive. The ocean bug bit him so hard that he closed the three other businesses he was running in the fall of 1960 and opened The Dive Shop on January 1, 1961, at 1390 North Hollywood in Memphis, Tenn. In 1975, Doug Sr.’s son, Doug, and his wife, Kathy, purchased the shop from Doug Sr. and Louise. They have since expanded to three locations including the original location in Memphis, Tenn.; as well as Little Rock, Ark., and Marietta, Ga. A fourth location, added in 2003 in Joplin, Mo. and doing business as Calypso Scuba, will be retained by the McNeese family.
Visit https://memphis.diveshop1.com/ for more information.
About Diventures:
Diventures was founded in 2009, with one location in Omaha, Neb. It since has expanded to fifteen locations (Omaha, Neb.; Lincoln, Neb.; Springfield, Mo.; Columbia, Mo.; Kansas City, Mo.; North Liberty, Iowa; Fitchburg, Wis.; Sun Prairie, Wis.; Alpharetta, Ga.; Lexington, Ky.; Battle Creek, Mich.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Memphis, Tenn.; Little Rock, Ark.; Marietta, Ga). Diventures provides concierge-level customer service for swim lessons, scuba certifications, equipment sales and service and group and private travel. Diventures is committed to safety and fun in the water, as well as giving back to support local and global communities. Employing hundreds of people and serving thousands of customers per year, Diventures uses their passion and the power of the water to impact lives and change the world…and has fun doing it!
Visit www.diventures.com for more information.
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