Meet Our Trip Leaders

Independent Dive Professional

CJ started diving in 1993 with Divers Paradise in Toled, OH.  He immediately fell in love with the sport and at that point, he knew this was going to be a large part of his life.  He started his pro career around 2000 and has been teaching ever since.  CJ has traveled the Great Lakes exploring wreaks, has seen soft corals in Fiji, ate his first Lionfish in Belize, dove caverns & caves in Mexico, and has snorkeled with whale sharks in Utila. As part of the Diventures Team, CJ is looking to do even more and take some students with him to enjoy the wonders of the underwater world.

Scuba Experience Manager
Independent Advanced Open Water Instructor

Dani has been diving since 2012 and is a Level 9 diver. After studying Marine Biology in college she moved to Maui to work full-time as a dive instructor, where she got to share her passion for the ocean and introduce her students to all of her fish friends. She moved to Colorado Springs in 2023 and started working at Diventures shortly after. She’s very happy to still be working in the dive industry despite living in a landlocked state!

Email: [email protected]

Independent Advanced Open Water Instructor

Darren’s first scuba experience was in 1989 in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and he’s been hooked ever since. He feels fortunate to have both of his children as dive buddies who always volunteer their time to join him on his adventures. Darren loves all types of diving but prefers the warm, clear waters of the Caribbean.

Email: [email protected]

Independent Open Water Instructor

Dwain has been diving for 21 years and has been a Dive Professional for almost seven years. He enjoys teaching Science of Diving. Dwain has logged almost 400 dives at Lake Pleasant doing certification dives for wonderful students. He has dived in Fiji, Tahiti and all over the Caribbean. He says each and every dive location is fun for its uniqueness. Everything from starfish by the hundreds on Vieques PR to tiger sharks off the big island of Hawaii to the schools of fish in Fiji! Dwain loves sharing diving with his friends and looks forward to showing our divers the wonderful world beneath surface. He is excited to be the lead instructor here at Diventures Phoenix and lead our great team of instructors.

Email: [email protected]

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]

Area Director

Although Chelsea has been diving since 2007, she has been involved in the scuba industry her entire life with her parents owning and operating SeaVentures for 31 years. After receiving her Business degree while playing collegiate volleyball, she explored her passion for working in bakeries. However, she found herself back at the family business pursuing her dive professional certifications and eventually worked her way through most of the swim, scuba, and marketing roles then into management. Since becoming a dive pro and running the Alpharetta location, she has traveled the world sharing her passion and excitement for the underwater world and visited amazing places like Bonaire where she even attended kids camp growing up each summer to Galapagos with the most advanced and incredible diving yet. She loves to teach and grow open water students into great divers and loves the opportunity to travel to new places making memories and sharing experiences with you!

Email: [email protected]

Store Director
Independent Instructor Trainer & Service Tech

Born and raised in Nebraska, with no thoughts, dreams, or bucket lists including scuba diving or the underwater world. I became a certified Open Water Scuba Diver in August 2006. My only regret is that I did not start much earlier in my life!!  I instantly had a new passion in life, and now I am blessed to have the privilege of introducing others to the incredible world of scuba diving. I have been a Scuba Store manager since February of 2012, and am currently an SSI Instructor Trainer with the Platinum Pro 1000 recognition. When I am not diving, there is still a good chance you will find me outdoors. I enjoy motorcycles, forestry, hunting, horses, campfires, antiques, cooking, and working on my acreage.

Phone: 402.420.6338
Email: [email protected]

Store Director
Independent Instructor Certifier

Mike is the originator of The Dive Shop II in Little Rock, AR. He took his original Open Water Diver Class when he was 11 years old. So he’s been diving around 100 years. We occasionally keep him around the store as an ornament. His knowledge of the diving industry is surpassed by few. His favorite dive to date was in the Red Sea. The trip he is most excited about is the next one!

Store Manager
Independent Instructor Certifier & Platinum Pro Diver

After some 35 years of diving Randy is truly an “old salt” in the diving industry. His favorite places to dive include Indonesia, Palau, Fiji, the oil rigs off the Louisiana coast and almost any rock quarry, river or mud hole deep enough to put his face underwater. When he’s not diving, you’ll find him making music, food, or movies with his friends and family. Randy’s wife Marcia frequently accompanies him on dive trips and the two of them make up the Cajun contingent at The Dive Shop.

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]

Scuba Experience Manager
Independent Advanced Open Water Instructor

Drago began diving back in 2009 as an NAUI diver and in 2012 he became an Advanced Open Water Diver. Since beginning his diving career, Drago dreamed of being able to retire in Belize and run a dive shop/bed and breakfast. In September of 2019, Drago joined the SeaVentures family, and now Diventures! He completed his Open Water Instructor rating in April of 2021 and by June, became an Advanced Open Water Instructor. Currently, Drago is working on becoming an Assistant Instructor Trainer and will be starting his Assistant Instructor Trainer with SSI.

He enjoys teaching his passion to other divers and looks forward to making others excited about diving. Drago’s favorite place to dive so far is the beautiful island of Bonaire and his favorite kind of diving is a toss-up of Wreck, Deep, or Night diving! In his free time, Drago loves to go to concerts, tornado chase, listen to music, go to the shooting range, play his guitar, and be a nerd!

Email: [email protected]

Scuba Experience Manager
Independent Instructor Trainer & Independent Classified Instructor

Terri is marking her thirteenth year with us and is a member of our full-time staff. She is an Assistant Instructor Trainer working towards Instructor Trainer and, is a recent recipient of the Platinum Pro 5000 Instructor award. She teaches classes ranging from Open Water to Assistant Instructor. Her favorite things include: time with family, spearfishing, photography, hosting outdoor activities, and that exciting text or call when a newly certified diver goes on their first dive trip. Terri’s favorite dive trip? “All of them!”

Email: [email protected]

Scuba Experience Lead
Independent Instructor Trainer

Natural born Nebraska diver!!! Got certified back in Aug 92’ and from the very beginning I knew that Scuba was going to be a big part of my life!! I’m going to become an instructor!!! Started working for the local dive shop in 96’ and earned my first professional certification in 1998. So, here we are a few years later, still going strong and enjoy every bit!!!

I am married with a son and daughter. With the passion and love I have for scuba diving those three had no chance of not becoming certified and enjoying underwater world!!! I’m an SSI Instructor Trainer.

When I’m not working as an RN I spend my time scuba diving, camping, traveling….let’s be real…scuba is usually part of all my past time activities!!!

Phone: 402.420.6338

Store Director
Independent Open Water Diver Instructor

Beth knew she wanted to be a scuba diver when she was just four years old after seeing the diver down flags at her local lake growing up. As she got older, she didn’t know if it would ever be a possibility, but her life absolutely changed in 2017 when she met the owners of New Horizons Diving.  she took her first breath underwater at the pool she managed and she was absolutely hooked. Since then, she’s completed almost 300 dives, become an Open Water Instructor, and has made life-long bonds with her dive buddies. her favorite type of diving is anything involving sharks, wrecks, or caverns!

Phone: 859.277.1234
Email: [email protected]

Independent Open Water Diver Instructor
Level 7 Diver

Allen started diving in his 40s. After getting certified, he traveled the Caribbean diving the different islands and loved every minute of it. In 2018 he took the next step and became a Dive Pro. Today he is an Open Water Instructor, Level 7 Diver, trip leader, and an equipment technician. His goal is to help others experience the same love and respect for the water that he has in a safe fun way.

Email: [email protected]

Assistant Instructor Trainer

Angie’s love for diving started with her dad, a Navy diver in Vietnam, teaching her how to snorkel in their swimming pool. After her first successful pool dive, she was hooked. She is a level 8 diver. Angie and her husband love sharing their passion for diving with others. Her favorite sea creature is the seahorse, and her latest focus has been on digital videography and capturing the action to share with others back on land.

Phone: 319.665.2741
Email: [email protected]

Independent Assistant Instructor Trainer

Bio coming soon!

Sales Associate, Lifeguarding Instructor
Independent Divemaster-In-Training

Hi, my name is Bridget and I’m a sales floor staff member, divemaster in training and lifeguard instructor here at SeaVentures!  I have lived in the Atlanta area pretty much my entire life and I am a graduate of the University of Georgia. (Go Dawgs!) I previously spent time in the legal field before making the switch to pursue my next adventure and greatest passion:  everything ocean!  My favorite places to go diving are Bonaire, Hawaii and the British Virgin Islands, just to name a few and there are so many places I still have to explore.  My other big passions include koalas, college football, and travelling the world.  I would love to share my enthusiasm for diving and all things ocean with you!

Email: [email protected]

Customer Experience Specialist

Clare has worked at New Horizons/Diventures since 1993 and has loved every minute. Diving has opened up a whole new world of adventure for her. Clare believes diving is a wonderful way to make new friends and travel the world. She has been traveling to Little Cayman since the resort first opened in 1995 and it’s still one of her favorite trips.

Independent Instructor Certifier
Customer Experience Specialist

My first visit to the underwater world under SCUBA was in 1995 and I knew right away this was a special place. A few years later, I linked up with SeaVentures and was immediately welcomed into their family of divers. I took an amazing trip down to the Florida Keys back when they would go to Tavernier and dive and stay with Tropical Vista. I have been lucky enough to drive the bus on over 150 trips and have had the opportunity to not only dive with some of the most amazing people over the years but acquired some lifelong friends. This led to some unbelievable overseas trips as well including Bonaire, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Maldives, Galapagos to name just a few. During this incredible journey I have worked my way up to Instructor Trainer. One of the most incredible experiences as an instructor was when I certified my son in Key Largo. I am continuing to learn a tremendous amount from students, both recreational and professional.

Email: [email protected]

Scuba Experience Manager
Independent Assistant Instructor Trainer

Connor started his career in the water where he earned his degree in Marine Biology. His passion for teaching scuba emerged while volunteering at his Aunt and Uncle’s dive shop. Diving since 2012, Connor has dove throughout the Midwest and Caribbean and is an Open Watter Diver Instructor. He enjoys helping new divers discover their own passion for the water.

Phone: 573.442.3483

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 Trainer

Bio coming soon!

Training Program Director
Independent Assistant Instructor

David’s passion for scuba started before he turned ten while doing Try Scubas with his dad. His passion for the ocean and all outdoor activities has only grown since. A progressing Dive Professional, David’s favorite place to dive (so far) is Grand Turk but he continues to explore all dive destinations.

Email: [email protected]

Founder
Independent Advanced Open Water Diver Instructor

Dean has been diving since he was 16 and still loves it as much as when he started. Dean is a level 10 diver and teaches several specialties, including spearfishing and scuba rangers. He leads a few trips each year, usually in the Caribbean, because they are close and easy to get to and he prefers the more authentic islands. Dean founded Diventures to help as many people as possible enjoy spending time in and around the water.

Email: [email protected]

Independent 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

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]

Independent 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: 402.933.6251
Email: [email protected]

Independent Dive Professional

Doug first started the fantastic hobby of scuba diving in 2019, and it quickly grew into a passion. Now a Level 5 diver, he never passes up an opportunity to explore the underwater world.  Doug is a volunteer penguin diver at the Omaha Zoo and an active member of the Landlocked Scuba Club.

Independent Open Water Instructor

Bio coming soon!

Independent Advanced Open Water Instructor

Drew took his first breath underwater eight years ago in Puerto Vallarta and was hooked. He has met the most amazing people over the years diving and has seen some crazy things underwater. Drew also found that it is even more exciting to teach new divers and see the excitement in their eyes after an amazing dive. He am a Level 8 diver and looks forward to learning more about diving and the underwater world.

Phone: 859.277.1234

Independent Assistant Instructor Trainer

Dwain took his first scuba class when he was 19 at the University of Missouri in Columbia. After the first day of scuba class, he knew what he wanted to do with his life. For four and a half years, Dwain helped teach a course at the University of Missouri, then continued to teach scuba and managed several dive stores before starting Capt. Nemo’s Dive Shop 36 years ago. Now, 42 years after that first scuba class, Dwain enjoys giving newcomers the same inspiring experience he had in his first lesson, teaching beginning students and helping over 2,000 divers become certified.

Phone: 573.442.3483
Email: [email protected]

Independent Assistant Instructor

My children and I were certified in 2016, and now I am a level 5 diver. Diving has allowed me to satisfy many desires including a passion for the ocean and its inhabitants, travel, people, gadgets, and personal development. As a dive professional, nothing excites me more than to share my passion with others. Diving has provided me with friends from all over the world, both above and below the surface.

Phone: 319.331.3738

Independent Assistant Instructor

Ethan has been diving since 2015. He is a level 6 diver and has been a dive pro for 5 years. As a former swimmer, lifeguard, swim instructor, and pool manager, Ethan has spent plenty of time on the water and is always looking for his next trip!

Phone: 859.277.1234

Former Owner of Scuba Professionals of Arizona
Independent Open Water Diver Instructor

When Fia became a certified diver in Dubai in 1997, she never dreamed that she, a Swedish native, would open a dive shop – Scuba Professionals of Arizona, located in the middle of another desert. She became a Dive Professional in 2018 and four years later joined the Diventures family after owning the shop for ten years. Now she gets to focus 100% on her life’s passion – teaching and diving! Fia loves helping divers take their first breaths in scuba and develop them into advanced and even pro levels. She has been fortunate to explore the underwater world from Egypt and Oman to the Pacific, Australia, Caribbean, Sweden and our local Arizona Lake Pleasant.

Independent 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: 402.933.6251
Email: [email protected]

Independent Advanced Open Water Instructor

I have always had a love of the ocean and all the creatures it contains.  I can remember my first Try Scuba and knew right then that this was something I wanted to do.  I became certified in 2016 and an SSI Open Water Instructor in 2020.  I love being able to share my love of diving with those who are new to the sport and witnessing their “Aha!” moment. I love all types of diving from drift, night, wreck and have been blessed to dive in locations including the Philippines, Cozumel, and even the Maldives.  Being able to capture memories of what I see led me to underwater photography and videography. I look forward to diving with you on one of SeaVentures amazing trips or even if it’s just a dip in the pool!

Master Instructor

Bio coming soon!

Independent Open Water Diver Instructor
Customer Experience Specialist

Hello, my name’s Harrison and I’m a Scubaholic. I was born and raised in Manchester, England. Manchester United is my religion and scuba diving is my game. I started scuba diving in 2019 and got addicted the moment I took my first breath under the water. Within a year I became a scuba instructor and I want to work in scuba for life, which is why I love working here.

Independent Instructor Trainer

Howard has enjoyed diving in lakes, quarries, rivers, and oceans, having been first certified in Green Bay, WI in 2003. He enjoys teaching all diving and first aid/CPR courses, but he especially enjoys teaching Decompression Theory/Science of Diving, Perfect Buoyancy, Navigation, and Search and Recovery classes. As an instructor trainer, he enjoys fostering the development of dive professionals during Instructor Training Courses, and with Specialty Instructor training seminars. Always curious about the water and what’s in it, he’s an avid fly fisherman as well.

Independent Open Water Instructor Trainer
Public Safety Dive Instructor

Hunter is a VERY busy fellow who has been in Fire, EMS, and Emergency Services most of his life and has a passion for anything to do with water. Hunter was also a recipient of the SSI Platinum Pro 5000 Award which is an elite-level accomplishment. Hunter says that diving has opened many doors for him in his time here on earth with opportunities, friendships, and exposure to things most can only dream of. Hunter is married to Madeline who says “ Water got us together, and water will keep us together!” He is pretty darn good in the kitchen as well.

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 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 Assistant Instructor

Jerrold spends his weekdays shaping young minds as a middle school teacher and his weekends exploring the depths of quarries, lakes, and caverns throughout the Midwest as an Assistant Instructor and the head of the Landlocked Chapter of the Diventures Scuba Club. He took his first breaths underwater in New Zealand in 2013 and has been diving ever since. He is a level 8 diver with an ambitious goal of diving in all fifty states. Jerrold is already more than halfway there; exploring the hidden depths of America’s waters one state at a time. His favorite specialties to teach are Try Scubas, Photography and Video, ecology courses, and the unique art of Underwater Pumpkin Carving. Whether in the classroom or beneath the surface, he thrives on discovery and sharing his love for adventure.

Independent Open Water Diver Instructor

Jim was originally introduced to scuba diving by the British Sub Aqua Club while studying as an exchange student at the University of Surrey; England in 1983. He overheard a diver telling an adventure story and asked to join the table. They took him into the club and taught him how to dive. His first open-water dive seemed simple enough in the English Channel on a WWII wreck. Every weekend he went wherever the club was diving and eventually did all the dives required to become certified. Upon returning to the U.S, Jim joined an SSI shop in Lansing, MI and earned his Divemaster certification. After retiring from the Army Reserve, he found the time to further his professional dive career and ultimately got certified as an Instructor in 2020.

Independent Divemaster Instructor

Jim is a level 8 diver and has been diving since 2008. He knew he loved scuba from the first moment he took a breath off a regulator and had the realization “I’m breathing and I’m underwater!” As an SSI Instructor, Jim gets to share his passion for scuba diving with anyone willing to listen to him. He loves sharing new divers’ excitement when they first realize they are breathing underwater.

Independent Instructor Trainer

I am a level 8 diver and have been diving since 2007. I have traveled to many places to dive both in salt water and fresh water. I love to photograph the underwater world and share my experiences with others.

Phone: 319.665.2741
Email: [email protected]

Independent Instructor Trainer

In 2006, I came to SeaVentures for that year’s‘Big Event – Anniversary Sale’.  I took advantage of the free “Try Scuba” session that was offered and have been entirely & happily “hooked” on scuba ever since!  I am happiest when I am near, in, on or under water! Diventures in Alpharetta has become my second family and that family continues to grows with each and every class taught or trip taken! As for trips, I am passionate about traveling to and diving in different countries with diverse cultures!  I also love their pièce de résistance, the ever-loved & world renown trip to the Florida Keys aboard their custom passenger bus which I am privileged to drive! Come join us!!

Service Technician

Karl’s love for the underwater world started when he was a young boy diving with his dad – a commercial saturation diver. After a diving hiatus chasing passions in cycling and triathlon, Karl dove back into scuba in 2022, becoming a dive master, XR trimix and technical cave diver.

When he isn’t admiring wet rocks in caves, Karl and his travel loving wife and son are exploring the wet world any place they can and he is occasionally rebuilding regulators at the Colorado Springs store as a part time service tech. Outside of diving, Karl is an engineer and technologist specializing in building and scaling exciting businesses driven by technology.

Assistant Controller
Independent Dive Professional

Katy was certified with her family in Beaver Lake, AR in 2002 and has been diving ever since. She adores aquatic critters great & small, but her favorites include sharks, nudibranchs, shrimps, and octopus. She’d prefer to keep her distance from remoras and titan triggerfish. Katy joined Diventures in 2010 and earned her professional rating in 2013. Her favorite part of leading trips is helping folks find itty bitty underwater friends in dive sites of all types.

Email: [email protected]

Independent Dive Professional

Kevin became certified by Diventures in 2017, and became a dive professional in 2019. He is currently I’m a Level 6 diver. Kevin’s favorite dives are wreck and wall dives. From corals reefs to quarries, Great Lakes to the Caribbean, Kevin wants to dive it all. 

Customer Experience Specialist

Kevin was scuba certified in 2010 and is now a level 5 diver. When he isn’t at the shop or diving, he can be found participating in triathlons. Kevin loves all things water!

Email: [email protected]

Former Owner of Sub-Aquatic Sports & Service

As the former owner of Sub-Aquatic Sports & Service, Kim has organized and led trips to Micronesia, Guam, Philippines, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Solomons, Fiji, Maldives, Red Sea, Indonesia, Galapagos, Malaysia, Cayman Islands, Grand Turk, Belize, Bahamas, Roatan, Utila, Coco Islands, St Croix, Saba, St. Eustatius, Dominica, St. Kitts, Bonaire, Curacao, Grenada, Barbados, Guadalupe, St. Lucia, Florida, California’s Coronado Islands….. and her home base dive destination, the Great Lakes.

Email: [email protected]

Former Owner of New Horizons Diving

As a former owner of New Horizons Diving in Lexington, KY,  Lavon Land has enjoyed the adventure of a lifetime while diving for over 20 years!  Her travels have taken her to beautiful places and she has met extraordinary people along the way.

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]

Independent Open Water Instructor

Marc has always been a child of the sea. He grew up in Atlantic City, NJ, and lived two blocks from the beach and a couple houses away from the bay. Marc would spend every day at the beach or crabbing/fishing on the bay. Marc has always been fascinated by the ocean and remembers watching the undersea adventures of Jacques Cousteau as a child and always wondered what it would be like to be a scuba diver. Marc is a level 4 diver and has been diving since 2016. He became a dive professional in 2021 and loves being an ambassador for the sport and sharing his passion for the ocean.

Phone: 727-804-0551
Email: [email protected]

Independent Advanced Open Water Diver Instructor

As a child, Mary was always near an ocean and spent much of her time swimming. She has been diving for 36 years and feels like she “can’t live without it.” Mary has been an active instructor for 28 years and loves teaching scuba. She and her husband, Dwain, have owned and operated Capt. Nemo’s Dive Shop in Columbia, Missouri, for 36 years, introduced thousands of people to scuba and conducted close to 100 escorted diving trips to the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean. Her boundless energy comes from a passion for introducing new divers to the beauty of being underwater and “getting them hooked on not just getting certified, but becoming a diver.”

Phone: 573.442.3483
Email: [email protected]

Independent Open Water Diver Instructor

Bio coming soon.

Phone: 402.933.6251

Travel Program Director
Independent Open Water Diver Instructor

Megan fell in love with the underwater world the first time she went diving and she loves helping people discover its beauty. As a level 5 diver, she appreciates her career focused on her passion for diving and the water. And she is always excited to talk about diving and traveling.

Email: [email protected]

Independent Open Water Diver Instructor

Melissa has always loved the water and the marine life that call it home. She became certified in 2017 and became an instructor in 2019. She loves to teach in the pool, lakes, quarries and oceans. Melissa can teach 24 specialties, so if there is a specialty anyone would like to become certified in please let us know! It makes Melissa happy to see students grow into comfortable divers. She has been fortunate to have gone diving in Belize, Bonaire, Cozumel and Hawaii to name a few.

Independent Open Water Instructor

Bio coming soon!

Independent Open Water Diver Instructor

Mike has been diving for almost 25 years and has been an instructor for almost eight years. He has traveled to numerous dive destinations around the world. His kids have been diving since they were 12 and 15 years old, and his wife finally came aboard about five years ago. He says there is nothing better than taking a dive trip with the family!

Independent Dive Professional

Nate has enjoyed being in and around water his whole life and has been diving since 2007. As an Open Water Diver Instructor with an extensive background in teaching and coaching, the scuba classroom and pool at Diventures is a natural fit! Nate loves to introduce people to the beautiful underwater world and teach people how to be safe, comfortable divers.

Independent Open Water Instructor

Nina shares Diventures vision of creating safety and fun in and around the water. In her youth, Nina was a lifeguard and certified Red Cross Water Safety Instructor. She began scuba diving in 2017 and was hooked after seeing firsthand the beauty and serenity of the world beneath the ocean’s surface. Nina enjoys providing others with the skills and knowledge required to experience all the underwater world has to offer.  Leading Diventures trips allows Nina an opportunity to expand her “scuba family” and witness the excitement on the faces of newly certified divers. Nina is a level 6 diver and an Open Water Instructor.

Phone: 402.933.6251
Email: [email protected]

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 Open Water Instructor

Bio coming soon!

Independent Advanced Open Water Instructor

Randy, also known as “Mr. Lisa Collins”, is an Advanced Open Water Instructor. He has dived through the best of the lesser Antilles, most of the Gulf of Mexico, and with whale sharks in the Philippines. He’s known for his very simple dive plan of “I’m coming back”, and he’s most often quoted after a dive saying ” That was awesome, almost as great as my most favorite dive ever!” If you ask about that most favorite dive ever, Randy always breaks into a big smile and says ” My next one!”.

Independent Assistant Instructor Trainer

Rena enjoys diving, underwater photography, and sharing her 30+ years of experience with people wanting to explore the underwater world. This is accomplished through the variety of classes she teaches and trips she leads to many unique dive destinations.

Former Owner of Sub-Aquatic Sports & Service

As the former owner of Sub-Aquatic Sports & Service, Rick and his wife Kim have organized and led trips to Micronesia, Guam, Philippines, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Solomons, Fiji, Maldives, Red Sea, Indonesia, Galapagos, Malaysia, Cayman Islands, Grand Turk, Belize, Bahamas, Roatan, Utila, Coco Islands, St Croix, Saba, St. Eustatius, Dominica, St. Kitts, Bonaire, Curacao, Grenada, Barbados, Guadalupe, St. Lucia, Florida, California’s Coronado Islands….. and their home base dive destination, the Great Lakes.

Independent Open Water Diver Instructor

Rob has been a certified diver for over 25 years. He was lucky enough to have parents that were divers, so he was certified when he was 12 years old. Rob did his professional training in 2019 in Malaysia while on a year and half journey through South East Asia. Since being back, he has joined Diventures Battle Creek and found a new passion for the world-class shipwreck diving in the Great Lakes. Rob plans to continue his technical training so he can have even more diving opportunities.

Independent Assistant Instructor

Robert was certified as an Open Water Diver in 1993 and is currently a level 6 diver. Over the past few years, he has been working his way up the Dive Pro ranks and will become an Open Water Diver Instructor in the Summer of 2023. Robert enjoys sharing his passion for diving with new students and especially enjoys seeing new divers experience their first ocean dive.

Independent Instructor Trainer
Independent Extended Range Instructor and Service Manager

Scott, a member of the full-time staff, is an Instructor Trainer and a recipient of the Platinum Pro 5000 Instructor award. He handles teaching that ranges from Open Water Diver to Instructor. He has been with us since 1989 and is all around one of the best service techs and an excellent educator.  Scott enjoys family, baseball, fishing, and reading. Among his favorite dives are the Galapagos Islands and wreck diving off the coast of the Carolina’s.

Email: [email protected]

Master Diver Trainer

Steve’s love of all things underwater started in his early years as a junior diver. Having thousands of dives logged, Steve’s happy place is teaching and sharing his love for the water with others. He spent the past two years in Puerto Rico guiding and teaching full time, and takes the responsibility of instruction very seriously. Steve wants to make sure that all students have fun learning in a safe and comfortable environment.

Phone: 215.264.8985
Email: [email protected]

Independent Advanced Open Water Instructor

Steve Parham shares a birthday with Jacques Cousteau (his childhood hero) and, so, was destined to become a scuba diver! He began scuba diving in college and has been fortunate enough to dive all over the world during the last 30 years. Steve, who is a lawyer in his outside life, started with SeaVentures as a customer and trip participant before going on to earn his Divemaster and Instructor ratings.  He is passionate about sharing the underwater world with new students and experienced divers alike. When not scuba diving, he enjoys swimming and spending time with his two teenage daughters, Becca and Merritt.

Customer Experience Specialist
Independent Advanced Open Water Instructor

My name is Stephen Thompson and I love anything having to do with water. Growing up I spent as much time there as I could frequently hitting the beaches from Santa Monica, to Malibu, Topanga, and Zuma. It took me until 2003 visiting beautiful St Lucia with my wife, Melisa, that I finally took the plunge. I began diving with SeaVentures in 2007 going on a trip to Cozumel and experienced wonderful drift diving. The year 2009 was a big year for me; I became a professional Divemaster as well as part of the dive team for the Georgia Aquarium. In 2010 I became an Open Water Instructor so I could teach and inspire others to dive and see what so few people get a chance to see underwater.

Email: [email protected]

Independent Assistant Instructor

Terri first experienced diving in 2016 during a resort course in the Bahamas. After a second resort course in 2017 and being bit by the “dive bug” she asked for an open water certification course for Christmas. By 2018 she was certified as an Open Water Diver and has been obsessed since. She has traveled all over the globe to dive in warm waters in locations such as Bonaire and Cozumel, which happen to be her favorite spots. Terri loves sharing her passion for diving with anyone who will stand still long enough to listen.  She loves teaching scuba diving to new divers and helping them achieve their diving goals.

Independent Divemaster Instructor

TC got certified in 2018, followed soon after by his two kids at 11 and 12 years of age. Some of his best memories are sharing the magic of the underwater world with his family. With the kids now grown and leaving the nest, TC enjoys helping new divers experience the awe-inspiring beauty of life below the surface for the first time. He loves to travel, exploring different cultures and environments, and believes the more of the world we see, the better we can understand and appreciate it.

Phone: 402.933.6251
Email: [email protected]

Independent Open Water Instructor
Lifeguarding Instructor Trainer

I grew up in the water. I learned to swim at a young age and was on swim team from elementary school through high school both in the United States and Europe. In high school, I started lifeguarding at Fort Jackson in Columbia SC. I became an Open Water Diver in March 2013 for a college credit through Wateree Dive Center. A couple years after moving to Georgia, I hadn’t been near the water in a long time and I was itching to get back to it. I took a small step back to the water when I started at SeaVentures in August 2017 as a weekend part time swim instructor while maintaining my logistics career.

Email: [email protected]

Former Owner of New Horizons Diving

As a former owner of New Horizons Diving in Lexington, KY,  Lavon Land has enjoyed the adventure of a lifetime while diving for over 20 years!  Her travels have taken her to beautiful places and she has met extraordinary people along the way.