The Owners

Lynn and Scott

 

Years of diving: 
Lynn and Scott started diving in the late 60's (yes, they're old!) 

Role at A-1: 
Lynn overseas the travel agency, accounting and Scott. 

Scott primarily overseas the education department but dabbles in all aspects of the business.

Diving Credentials:
Lynn is a Master Instructor, Emergency First Aid Instructor and Handicapped Scuba Association Instructor.

Scott is an Instructor Trainer for PADI, DAN and the Handicapped Scuba
Association.

Personal passion:
Spending time with their kids and grandkids.

Non-Diving Activities:
They love ATVing, Motorcycling, Sporting Events and spending every moment they can with their grandkids Dominick and Trinity.

Favorite food:
Lynn is a chocoholic.
Scott is a meat and tators fan.  No "greens" allowed!

Favorite Dive Location:

Lynn's favorites include the Galapagos Islands "because of the high-voltage diving and large number of BIG critters," the Philippines, Solomon Islands and the South Pacific because of the "incredible colors and beauty."

Scott can't name just one, so here's his top five (in order) Philippines, Truk, Galapagos, Palau and Thailand.

Philosophy:
Treasure our family and friends, thank God for all of His blessings and live life to the fullest.

Our Retail Crew

Shane

Role: General Manager, Downtown Aquarium Programs Director

Real Job: Organize, schedule and conduct Aquarium dive programs, daily business operations, sales, marketing, promotions, merchandizing and displays

Diving Credentials: PADI Master Instructor, Professional Aquarium Dive Guide, Trip/Tour Escort, Master Service Technician.

Personal passions: Ocean and Shark Conservation, Shark Awareness, Photo and Video, Music…

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Wakeboarding, Snowboarding, Motorcycling, Kick-Boxing, breaking stuff, fixing stuff, good times with good friends, enjoying time at home with my dogs

Favorite food: Italian! Of Course!

Favorite Dive Location: Love every place I have had the privilege to visit but Galapagos is the best place to see a large variety of "big animals" so far for me.  Guadalupe diving with Great White Sharks blew me away too.  Any chance to dive with Sharks, count me in!

Bob

Role:  Operations Manager & Retail Sales. I have been with A-1 Scuba since Aug 1988.

Diving Credentials: Started diving in 1975 and went into diving full time in 1988.   I became a PADI instructor in Jan 1989

Real Job: Being a loving husband, father and grandfather

Personal Passions: Spending time with my family and close friends, also helping to raise my youngest (2 years old) grandson.

Non-Diving Activities: Motorcycling (been a rider for 45 years) and working around the house

Favorite Food: I love a large variety of food but would have to put Mexican and Italian at the top

Favorite Dive Location: I have enjoyed many places for different reasons. Channel Islands, Indonesia, Cozumel, Truk, Dominica and Roatan are just a few.

Ryano

Role:  Retail Supervisor, Resident Break-dancer.  Wanna have a hand stand contest?

Diving Credentials: Diving since 2004, and look to finish my professional training.

Real Job:  Designated Driver

Personal Passions:  Watching the Nuggets, spending time outside and raising a new puppy-El Guapo.

Non-Diving Activities:  Playing basketball, brea-kdancing, frisbee golf, drawing, 4 wheeling, concert going, and hitting diving boards.

Favorite Food:  Chile Rellenos

Favorite Dive Location:  Anthony's Key Resort in Roatan

 

 

 

 

Eric

Role:  Play Facilitator

Diving Credentials: PADI Master Instructor, Emergency First Response Instructor, SDI/TDI Open Water Scuba Instructor, with 14 Instructor Specialties

Real Job:  What - this is my real job

Personal Passions: Having Fun, and yes that is a passion, golf, biking, music, outdoors, movies, just going out and living

Non-Diving Activities:  Sleep, show me were that is not a activity

Favorite Food:  Well that's like asking who yours favorite child but I guest it would be beer and yes it is a food

Favorite Dive Location: Again - tough for me. It's a combination of the place and the people as my favorite, as I don't care if it's 39 degrees or 100 degrees water temperature. I'm there, and yes I dove in those ranges.

Tammy

Role:  To be part of a great team

Real Job: Bookkeeper

Diving Credentials: I currently am only a snorkeler, but look forward to getting certified.

Personal passion: Spending time with my husband and son

Non Diving Activities: Attending my son's sport events, rollerblading, and swimming

Favorite food: Italian, chicken and of course chocolate

Favorite Dive Location: Maui

Storm

Role:  Retail guru

Diving Credentials: Master Scuba Diver Trainer

Real Job:  Certified Phunologist on the Pro Leisure Tour

Personal Passions: Being alive and all outdoor activities

Non-Diving Activities:  Cycling (pedal and motor) golfing & sailing

Favorite Food:  Liquids (that's why I'm so skinny)

Favorite Dive Location: Cayman's, Red Sea, Palau………………

Justin

Role:  Retail Sales/ Store Bouncer

Diving Credentials: PADI Open Water

Real Job:  Selling cool stuff to customers

Personal Passions: Wrestling is my real passion. I have been wrestling my whole life

Favorite Non Diving Activities: Spending time with my wife, wrestling, golf and watching football

Favorite Food:  You can't beat a T-bone steak and a ice cold Coca-Cola

Favorite Dive Location: The Downtown Aquarium

Meg

Role:  Retail Crew, Swim Instructor

Diving Credentials: PADI Open Water Diver, Adventure Diver, Equipment Specialist, Emergency First Responder, PADI Swim School Instructor

Real Job:  Lionfish hunter (FOOLS)

Personal Passions: My golden retriever puppy Turk, anything that has to do about with the ocean, marine conservation, lionfish eradication (ask me about my senior thesis), learning about anything and everything Scuba related

Favorite Non Diving Activities: Snowboarding, snowshoeing, soccer (KCWS 4 life!), running, being outside in CO. I absolutely love to read and watch movies (Anything Hitchcock or noir. I also love Tarantino and scary movies) When it comes to activities, I'll try anything once.

Favorite Food:  Mexican food and gin and tonics but not at the same time

Favorite Dive Location: Hands down that is Shark Alley off of South Caicos, TCI

Our Travel Agents

Lynn

Role:  Owner, Director of Travel Agency – "Island Dreamer" and Swimming Instructor

Real Job:  Schedule, design and escort A-1 Group Trips and do whatever is necessary around the dive store, like cleaning toilets – yuk!

Diving Credentials:  PADI Master Instructor, IDC Staff Instructor, Handicapped Scuba Association Instructor, DAN Provider and Amature Photographer

Personal Passion:  Spending time with my family & friends - especially my two precious grandkids.

Non-Diving Activities:  Snow and water skiing, driving ATV's, Horseback ridding and cruising with my husband on his motorcycle

Favorite Food:  Anything chocolate

Favorite Dive Location:  I have quite a long list.  My favorites are the Galapagos because of the exciting high-voltaage diving and the large number of BIG critters, the Philippines, Solomon Islands and anywhere in the South Pacific because of the incredible colors and beauty.  I enjoy many Caribbean destinations as well.

Katie

Role:  Travel Consultant (15 years plus) Sandals CSS agent* includes specialty travel sales to Sandals and Beaches properties in the Caribbean.

Diving Credentials:  PADI Open Water. Working as a travel agent in a quality dive store like A-1 is like a kid working in a candy store. I want to go on all the trips!

Real Job: Mother/Wife

Personal Passions:  Travel/Diving and Gardening.

Non-Diving Activities: Hiking, bike riding, shopping, driving my daughter to all her events and functions!

Favorite Food: Teriyaki Steak and Crab legs.

Favorite Dive Location:  I will find one and let you know, so far I love every place I've dove

Gwen

Role: Certified Travel Counselor

Real Job: Travel is my Profession/Career & I love it!

Diving Credentials: None – I have taken classes but due to a medical problem I cannot dive

Personal passion: Colorado Rockies Baseball

Non Diving Activities: Rockies Baseball – 13 yrs Season Ticket Holder – Attend 70+ games a year

Favorite food: Whatever is in front of me as long as I didn't have to cook it!

Favorite Dive Location: Cozumel

Our Service Technicians

Ken

Role:  Run the Service Department.

Diving Credentials: Assistant Instructor and Equipment Specialty Instructor.

Real Job:   Master Service Technician

Personal Passions:  Enjoying life!  Eating.

Non-Diving Activities:  Riding my FJR, and dirt bike, water skiing, air-chairing, hiking. Most anything fun!

Favorite Food:  Lobster, Pizza, any Italian food

Favorite Dive Location: Anthony's Key is hard to beat. Best country - Costa Rica.

 

Jack

Role:  Service Technician and Assistant Instructor

Diving Credentials: Assistant Instructor, Equipment Instructor.

Real Job:  Firefighter

Personal Passions:  Enjoying life!  Diving anywhere!!

Non-Diving Activities: Backpacking, cross-country skiing, water skiing, surfing 

Favorite Food:  Lobster, T-Bone Steak, any spicy food and of course Italian food.

Favorite Dive Location: Anthony's Key is hard to beat. La Paz for large animals (whale sharks)

Our Instructors

Aaron

Role: Instructor, Aquarium Dive Guide, Group Leader and Swimming Instructor

Diving Credentials:  Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Emergency First Responder Instructor, and DAN Dive Emergency Management Instructor.  Past experience in Equipment Service and Live-Aboard dive guide.

Real Job: Business Development Manager for National Mortgage Company.  Diving is my fun job!!!

Personal Passions: Enjoying time with friends/family, reading, movies…and of course meeting new friends through diving!

Non-Diving Activities:  Travel, cooking, motorcycle riding, and wake boarding.

Favorite Food:  Too many to list.  Italian, Thai, & Caribbean are great but always trying out new recipes.  (Love curried goat and Jamaican meat pies)

Favorite Dive Location: North East Grand Cayman and Little Cayman…Bloody Bay never disappoints!

Bill

Role:  Dive Guide at the Downtown Aquarium, Scuba Instructor at A-1 Scuba and Travel Center

Diving Credentials: Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Digital Underwater Photography Instructor, Mind Body and Spirit Diver.

Real Job: Teaching diving is real for me!!
I retired from a career as parole officer in 2005.
I must say I like this better, I haven't had to handcuff a diving student yet!

Personal Passions:  I love to travel - and anything to do with the water.

Non-Diving Activities: My passion for the water extends to Windsurfing. I also enjoy Cycling and Skiing.

Favorite Food: Whatever the local fare happens to be!

Favorite Dive Location:  Bonaire for the easy shore diving and it's a quick drive over to Lac Bay for some afternoon Windsurfing!

Brad

Role: Assist with Arapahoe High School and other A-1 classes

Diving Credentials:  Divemaster

Real Job: Facility/Program Supervisor of aquatics for the City of Englewood.  My main focus is operations of Pirates Cove Water Park

Personal Passions: Spending time with family and teaching

Non-Diving Activities: Skiing, softball, watching sporting events

Favorite Food: Mexican Food & Italian

Favorite Dive Location: Curacao

Brian

Role:  Instructor, Aquarium Dive Guide

Diving Credentials:  Instructor, EFR instructor

Real Job: Aquarium Assistant Dive Safety Officer

Personal Passions: Family, Friends, Water

Non-Diving Activities: Looking for anyone who wants to play Volleyball

Favorite Food: Pizza

Favorite Dive Location: Florida Keys

 

 

 

 

 

 

Butch

Role: Instructor

Diving Credentials:  EFR Instructor, Denver Aquarium Dive Guide, Denver Aquarium Volunteer-Lead Diver, Master Scuba Diver Trainer.

Real Job: Business Owner – Embroidery by Design, Inc., Mechanical Engineer

Personal Passions: Family & diving

Non-Diving Activities: Boating, Mtn. Biking, Skiing, Flying, Motorcycles.

Favorite Food: Pizza & Mexican food

Favorite Dive Location: Anywhere It Is Wet!

Carol

Role:  Instructor: Coordinate the Divers with Disabilities Program and Swimming Instructor

Diving Credentials: PADI MSDT, EFR Instructor, DAN Instructor, Handicapped Scuba Association Instructor

Real Job: Recreation Therapist at Craig Hospital

Personal Passions: My canine kids and being outdoors

Non-Diving Activities: Swimming, Stained Glass, Gardening, hanging out with my dogs

Favorite Food: Tillamook Cheese

Favorite Dive Location: If not Chatfield, it would be Bonaire

 

 

 

Chris

Role:  Recreational & Technical Diving Instructor, Gas Blender Instructor

Real Job:  Technical Consultant, Hitachi Data Systems and Advertising Sales Manager, Toyota Trails magazine and www.tlca.org

Diving Credentials:  PADI Master Instructor, Technical Diving International Instructor Trainer

Personal Passion:  Scuba diving and four-wheeling

Non-Diving Activities:  Four wheeling, part time Toyota Land Cruiser mechanic, family PC support

Favorite Food:  There isn't much I won't eat.

Favorite Dive Location:  Rangiroa, Tahiti and Bloody Bay Wall in Little Cayman

 

Dave

Role: Enthusiastic Open Water Scuba Instructor

Real Job:  I have been a Water Treatment Plant Operator and Lead Maintenance Tech for the Denver Water Department for 28 years.

Diving Credentials:  Open Water Scuba Instructor, Emergency First Response Instructor.

Personal Passion:  Family, traveling and diving.

Non-Diving Activities:  Reading, hiking, hunting, and fishing.

Favorite Food:  Road kill, but it's hard to find someone to watch out for traffic!

Favorite Dive Location:  Cozumel, Mexico

 

Eric

Role: Play Facilitator

Real Job:  What? This is my real job.

Diving Credentials:  PADI Master Instructor, Emergency First Response Instructor, SDI/TDI Open Water Scuba Instructor and 14 Instructor Specialties

Personal Passion:  Having Fun, and yes that is a passion, golf, biking, music, outdoors, movies, just going out and living.

Non-Diving Activities:  Sleep, show me were that is not a activity.

Favorite Food:  Well that's like asking who yours favorite child but I guest it would be beer. Yes, it is a food.

Favorite Dive Location:  Hmmmm? It's a combination of the place and the people. I don't care if its 39 degree or 100 degree water temperature ---- I'm there. And yes, I do dive in those temperature ranges.

Fawn

Real Job: Lucky me, I don't really have one!

Diving credentials: PADI MSDT, HSA, DSAT, & EFR Instructor

Personal passion: Diving!

Non-Diving Activities: Traveling, Live Music, Mountain Biking, Kayaking

Favorite Food: Grilled Salmon

Favorite Dive Location:
Wildwood Falls, Oregon

 

 

Jeff

Role:  Instructor (since 1993)

Diving Credentials:  Master Scuba Diver Trainer

Real Job: Certified General Appraiser (Commercial buildings and land)

Personal Passions: Teaching diving, underwater photography, grandkids and family

Non-Diving Activities: Bicycling, reading

Favorite Food: Tell me something I don't like!

Favorite Dive Location: Depends. For "beauty" it's Palau. For "wrecks" it's Truk.  For "closest good place" it's Cozumel.

 

Jenn

Role:  Assistant Instructor

Diving Credentials:  PADI Rescue Diver, although I'm working my way towards Instructor and HAS Buddy diver.

Real Job:  Student

Personal Passions:  I love seeing the joy when I can help people discover and accomplish something new.

Non-Diving Activities:  Swimming, Triathlons, Skiing, Volunteering, Smiling and Laughing.

Favorite Food:  I consider myself an equal opportunity eater. I love to try new things, and even if I don't like it, I just call it "adventures in eating".

Favorite Dive Location:  I've loved everywhere I've had the opportunity to dive so far.

Jennifer

Role: Instructor for the Arapahoe High School Program and Swimming Instructor

Real Job: Mom/Wife/Physical Education Teacher/American Red Cross Instructor

Diving Credentials: PADI Instructor; Diving for 11 years

Personal passion: Family; Everything to do with water: in, above & under it

Non Diving Activities: sports; fitness; horses

Favorite food: I don't really like food, I like dessert.

Favorite Dive Location: I'm still looking. Suggestions?

Jim

Role: Assistant Instructor

Diving Credentials: PADI Assistant Instructor, DAN Diving Emergency Management Specialist

Real Job: Professor of Molecular Genetics at the University of Denver

Personal Passions: My wife, Julie, my two doggies, and underwater photography

Non-Diving Activities: Riding my Harley, playing Xbox

Favorite Food: Sushi

Favorite Dive Location: Palau/Yap or the next place I'm going to

Joanne

Role:  Instructor

Diving Credentials:  PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer And Specialty Instructor; Emergency First Response Instructor; DAN Dive Emergency Specialist Instructor; Handicapped Scuba Association Instructor.

Real Job:  Chemistry Teacher

Personal Passions:  Diving and Traveling, of course!

Non-Diving Activities:  Riding my bicycle. Machine embroidery and quilting. Reading. Snowshoeing.

Favorite food:  Sushi and all things Italian

Favorite Dive Location:  Galapagos and Indonesia for big adventure. Cozumel for close-by and fabulous. Chatfield Cay….. for the visibility.

 

Julie

Role: Assistant Instructor

Diving Credentials: PADI Assistant Instructor, DAN Diving Emergency Management Specialist

Real Job: Director of Human Resources at MoneyGram International

Personal Passions: Family, my Bernese Mountain Dogs, international travel

Non-Diving Activities: Running, hanging out with my hubby

Favorite Food: Sushi and Indian food

Favorite Dive Location: Blue Corner in Palau

Kym

Role:  Assistant Instructor

Diving Credentials: PADI Assistant Instructor

Real Job:   Devoted wife, interior design & renovations project manager (at my house.. :)

Personal Passions:  Blowing bubbles and saving reefs!

Non-Diving Activities:  Travel, motorcycling, yoga, cooking, gardening

Favorite Food:  Chocolate doughnuts (Complete guilty pleasure. It's what "cheat days" were made for!)

Favorite Dive Location: Big Tunnels, West Wall, Grand Cayman, BWI

 

 

Louise

Role:  Scuba Instructor, Instructor Harassment specialist and Swimming Instructor

Diving Credentials:  PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, DAN Instructor

Real Job:  Computer nerd for Vantage Marketing Research, Inc.  International Sales Representative for Baron Worldwide.

Personal Passions:  Teaching Diving

Non-Diving Activities:  traveling, reading, backcountry skiing

Favorite food:  Big fat juicy Steak!

Favorite Dive Location:  Indonesia

Lynn

Role:  Owner, Director of Travel Agency – "Island Dreamer"

Diving Credentials:  PADI Master Instructor, IDC Staff Instructor, Handicapped Scuba Association Instructor, DAN Provider and Amature Photographer

Real Job:  Schedule, design and escort A-1 Group Trips and do whatever is necessary around the dive store, like cleaning toilets – yuk!

Personal Passions:  Spending time with my family & friends - especially my two precious grandkids.

Non-Diving Activities:  Snow and water skiing, driving ATV's, Horseback ridding and cruising with my husband on his motorcycle

Favorite food:  Anything chocolate

Favorite Dive Location:  I have quit a long list. My favorites are the Galapagos because of the exciting high-voltage diving and the large number of BIG critters, the Philippines, Solomon Islands and anywhere in the South Pacific because of the incredible colors and beauty. I enjoy the many Caribbean destinations as well.

Mike

Role:  Scuba instructor, you may also see me running around at the May sale working on the AV equipment or in the classrooms working on the computers

Diving Credentials:  MSDT (Master Scuba Diving Instructor) EFR instructor, and DAN DEMP instructor

Real Job: I'm still looking for a real job, in the mean time I do Network and Internet Security for a firm that deals in the stock market.

Personal Passions: My Son and his well-being, and making money in the stock market

Non-Diving Activities: Anything that doesn't have to do with computers

Favorite Food: I have to choose? – hmmm if it's chocolate I'll eat it

Favorite Dive Location: Where it's wet and warm – I admit, I DON'T like the cold

Nathalie

Role:  Instructor and Swimming Instructor

Diving Credentials:  PADI diver since 1986

Real Job: PhD student

Personal Passions: Traveling

Non-Diving Activities: Painting, Cycling, Archery

Favorite Food: Thai

Favorite Dive Location: So many favorite places. On the top of the list, it used to be Palau and Truk lagoon. Tioman island has now moved to the first spot.

Peter

Role:  Instructor

Real Job: Microsoft Engineer with a large healthcare provider

Diving Credentials: PADI Staff Instructor, BSAC Advanced Diver, Rebreather and gas blender instructor.  Diving since 1975

Personal passion: Being with family and friends

Non Diving Activities: Shooting & enjoying the great Colorado outdoors

Favorite food: Has to be steak

Favorite Dive Location: Red Sea off Saudi Arabia, Scapa Flow

Rita

Role:  Instructor

Diving Credentials:  Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Handicapped Scuba Association Instructor, Specialty Instructor, EFR Instructor.

Real Job: Deputy Director of Planning and Development for the City of Centennial

Personal Passions:  My husband Pete. 

Non-Diving Activities:  Motorcycle riding – street and dirt (also certified to teach you how to ride a motorcycle). Snowboarding. Tae Kwon Do.   

Favorite Food:  Anything hot and spicy!

Favorite Dive Location:  I like it all….from Chatfield to the Carribean and beyond, from east coast to west coast, fresh water to salt water, and early morning to night.  Give me enough water to put me under and a full tank and I am "gone diving."

Robert

Role:  PADI Instructor and Handicapped Scuba instructor.   I enjoy helping disabled students experience scuba for the first time

Diving Credentials:  PADI Instructor and HSA Instructor

Real Job: I've run a GIS/map making company for the past 20 years.

Personal Passions:  Building my business, volunteering, and of course diving, particularly with the latest and greatest high tech equipment.

Non-Diving Activities: Lifting, reading, volunteer for Salvation Army, Dartmouth alumni activities.

Favorite Food: Ribeye Steak

Favorite Dive Location: Komodo Islands in Indonesia

Scott

Role:  Owner, obedient husband & dive-a-holic and Swimming Instructor

Real Job:  I can honestly say that I'm a diver through and through.  I most enjoy teaching instructor level courses and classes for divers with disabilities.

Diving Credentials:  Instructor Trainer for:  PADI, DAN and the Handicapped Scuba Association

Personal Passion:  Spending time with my wife, kids and grandkids

Non-Diving Activities:  Motorcycling, ATVing, playing ball with my grandson and dancing with my granddaughter.

Favorite Food:  Meat and tators.  Not a "green" fan.

Favorite Dive Location:  I can't name just one, so here's my top five (in order) Red Sea, Truk, Palau, Galapagos, Thailand & the Philippines.

Shane

Role: General Manager, Downtown Aquarium Programs Director and Swimming Instructor

Real Job: Organize, schedule and conduct Aquarium dive programs, daily business operations, sales, marketing, promotions, merchandizing and displays

Diving Credentials: PADI Master Instructor, Professional Aquarium Dive Guide, Trip/Tour Escort, Master Service Technician.

Personal passions: Ocean and Shark Conservation, Shark Awareness, Photo and Video, Music…

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Wakeboarding, Snowboarding, Motorcycling, Kick-Boxing, breaking stuff, fixing stuff, good times with good friends, enjoying time at home with my dogs

Favorite food: Italian! Of Course!

Favorite Dive Location: Love every place I have had the privilege to visit but Galapagos is the best place to see a large variety of "big animals" so far for me.  Guadalupe diving with Great White Sharks blew me away too.  Any chance to dive with Sharks, count me in!

Stacie

Role:  Instructor

Diving Credentials:  PADI master scuba diver trainer, Emergency First Responder instructor, Handicapped Scuba Association Instructor.

Real Job:  Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the field of mental health. I have a private psychotherapy practice and I also provide pro bono services to people who could otherwise not afford services.

Personal Passions: My work as a social worker and the privilege of helping others; spending time with my friends and family; and of course DIVING!

Non-Diving Activities:  Reading, working out.    

Favorite Food:  I love all kinds of foods, but I have to say that Mexican and Indian are among my favorites.

Favorite Dive Location:  Cozumel.

Stosh

Role: Instructor and Aquarium Dive Guide

Real Job: Computer Consultant

Diving Credentials: Master Scuba Diving Trainer

Personal passion: Besides making a mean Margarita (learned from my days as bartender), making sure that all of our diving friends have a great time!

Non Diving Activities: Watersports, sailing, skiing, travel

Favorite food: Mexican

Favorite Dive Location: Australia's Great Barrier Reef

 

 

Tammi

Role:  Instructor and Class Clown ;)

Diving Credentials:  Master Instructor and DAN Instructor

Real Job: Manager of an Animal E.R.

Personal Passions: TRAVEL, playing with my dogs, anything in the water.

Non-Diving Activities: Did I mention Travel? Vegas is always good!

Favorite Food: Mexican the spicier the better, or a good ole' steak!

Favorite Dive Location: HMMM Galapagos is the ultimate, Cozumel for a close quick trip or Chatfield -- yup I said Chatfield!

 

 

 

Todd

Role:  Downtown Aquarium Dive Program Manager and A-1 Instructor

Diving Credentials:  PADI MSDT, DAN Instructor, EFR Instructor, NAUI Instructor Trainer

Real Job: Corporate Dive Safety Officer for the Downtown Aquarium and Landry's

Personal Passions: hangin' with my wife and dogs, travel anywhere and  sushi

Non-Diving Activities: motorcycles, golf, food and wine, hiking

Favorite Food: BBQ...Sushi...BBQ...Sushi...Martini's

Favorite Dive Location: Roatan Honduras

 

 

 

Tom

Role: SCUBA Instructor

Diving Credentials:  PADI Master Instructor; DAN DEMP Instructor; Handicapped Scuba Association, HSA, Instuctor, Aquarium Guide.

Real Job: I'm actually retired. This allows time to spend on my association with A-1 Scuba. I gain great personal enjoyment, satisfaction and meaning in the process of introducing people to Scuba.

Personal Passions: Time spent with family, grandchildren and close friends.

Non-Diving Activities: I like to read, swim, ride bikes, putter in the garden and play with my dog.

Favorite Food:Anything accompanied by crusty bread and red wine

Favorite Dive Location: Keeps changing; so many places, so little time

 

Wendie

Role:  Training Manager in the Education Department, Dive Guide at the Downtown Aquarium, A-1 group trip leader and Swimming Instructor

Diving Credentials: IDC Staff Instructor, EFR Instructor, DAN DEMP Instructor, HSA Instructor

Real Job: Playing at A-1

Personal Passions:  I enjoy working with kids and experiencing different cultures around the world.

Non-Diving Activities: Sand volleyball, camping in the summer and enjoy hanging out at the lakes on our boat.

Favorite Food: Hot Wings

Favorite Dive Location:  Philippines and the Galapagos

Our Assistant Instructors

Adam

Role: Assistant Instructor

Real Job: Engineer

Diving Credentials: Divemaster

Personal passion: Exploring the unknown

Non Diving Activities: Rock Climbing, Motorcycles, Skiing, Hikes, Travel

Favorite food: Indian - but not before diving

Favorite Dive Location: Belize

 

 

 

 

 

AnnaMaria

Role: Assistant Instructor and Swimming Instructor

Diving Credentials: PADI Assistant Instructor, Dive Guide at Denver Aquarium, Handicapped Scuba Association AI

Real Job: Business Owner – Embroidery by Design, Inc

Personal Passions: Family & Friends – meeting new people, going new places & trying new things……. And of course Diving!

Non-Diving Activities: Travel & outdoor activities, volunteering, music

Favorite Food: Sushi, Mexican food & Wine

Favorite Dive Location: Cozumel & Roatan so far – I can't wait to explore others

Jack

Role:  Service Technician and Assistant Instructor

Diving Credentials: Assistant Instructor, Equipment Instructor.

Real Job:  Firefighter

Personal Passions:  Enjoying life!  Diving anywhere!!

Non-Diving Activities: Backpacking, cross-country skiing, water skiing, surfing 

Favorite Food:  Lobster, T-Bone Steak, any spicy food and of course Italian food.

Favorite Dive Location: Anthony's Key is hard to beat. La Paz for large animals (whale sharks)  

 

 

Jade

Role: Assistant Instructor

Diving Credentials: PADI AI

Real Job: student and Assessment & Referral Specialist for Exempla Healthcare

Personal Passions: Diving, Freemasonry, Reading

Non-Diving Activities: Walking the dogs, Movies, Reading, Lodge activities

Favorite Food: Lobster Bisque

Favorite Dive Location: Where ever I can get to

Ken

Role:  Run the Service Department.

Diving Credentials: Assistant Instructor and Equipment Specialty Instructor.

Real Job:   Master Service Technician

Personal Passions:  Enjoying life!  Eating.

Non-Diving Activities:  Riding my FJR, and dirt bike, water skiing, air-chairing, hiking. Most anything fun!

Favorite Food:  Lobster, Pizza, any Italian food

Favorite Dive Location: Anthony's Key is hard to beat. Best country - Costa Rica.

 

 

Judy

Role: Assistant Instructor

Real Job: Financial Planner

Diving Credentials: PADI Divemaster, volunteer diver at the Downtown Aquarium

Personal passion: Spending time w/family, friends, and my chocolate Lab.

Non Diving Activities: Skiing, tennis (lefties rule!), swimming, and travel

Favorite food: Probably Italian

Favorite Dive Location: I've liked 'em all – but the Turks and Caicos are great.

Maia

Role: Assistant Instructor

Real Job: IT Manager at a for-profit college

Diving Credentials: PADI Assistant Instructor and Emergency First Responder Instructor

Personal passion: Ummm scuba diving, HELLO!!! Also, underwater photography

Non Diving Activities: Running, hiking, skiing, motorcycling, camping, attending concerts, traveling around the world, home-improvement projects, and of course partying with friends!

Favorite food: Italian, with sushi running a close second…

Favorite Dive Location: I have been all over the globe but the Galapagos for the BIG creatures, and North Sulawesi for the little ones. Don't get me wrong, I would never turn down a trip to Bonaire either!

Mike

Role: Assistant Instructor

Real Job: Chief Engineer for a Major Aerospace Company & Retired U.S. Army

Diving Credentials: PADI Divemaster, DAN DEMP

Personal passion: Family, Diving, Airsoft, Photography (under & above water), digital junkie

Non Diving Activities: Hanging with family, traveling, photography, eating great food, planning the next trip, harassing A-1 sales staff and gadgets.

Favorite food: German (Lived in Germany for 7 years)

Favorite Dive Location: Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Roatan, Belize, San Diego (brrrrrrr), and yes…..Chatfield!

Rich

Role: Assistant Instructor and Aquarium Dive Guide

Real Job: Investment advisor for high net worth individuals

Diving Credentials: PADI Assistant Instructor

Personal passion: Diving, travel, reading, dining and enjoying life!

Non Diving Activities: Spending time with the wife and our animals, travel, gaming, watching the UFC and planning the next dive trip

Favorite food: Chicken fried steak or sauerbraten, too close to call

Favorite Dive Location: Fiji for amazing diving in an exotic locale, Chatfield for a dive trip that doesn't involve planes, hotels and wondering if it's safe to drink the water

Tony

Role: Divemaster

Real Job: Manager of Grand Prix Motorsports

Diving Credentials: PADI Divemaster, Volunteer Diver at Denver Downtown Aquarium

Personal passion: Family & Friends, and doing anything my grandaughter tells me to.

Non Diving Activities: Motorcycling, hunting & fishing, playing golf, hanging out with friends, and other stuff that's fun!

Favorite food: NOT Liver! Sushi is way up on the list, but overall I'm pretty flexible.

Favorite Dive Location: I get excited about any, and all of them. I think to date, my favorite is the Spiegel Grove wreckdive, in Key Largo Florida. If you can catch it on a moderate current day, the American flags flying on the bridge will take your breath away!

Our Divemasters

Becky

Role:  Divemaster

Diving Credentials:  PADI Divemaster, HSA Dive Buddy

Real Job: Retired Software Engineer

Personal Passions:  My daughter, diving, underwater photography, traveling to new places

Non-Diving Activities:  Reading, traveling, skiing, photography

Favorite Food:  Very rare steak and anything else that doesn't eat me first

Favorite Dive Location:  Lots of places - Wakatobi, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Roatan and the manta night dive on the island of Hawaii

Bruce

Role:  Divemaster

Diving Credentials:  PADI Divemaster, DAN DEMP, EFR

Real Job: IT Manager

Personal Passions:  Spending time with friends and family & travel

Non-Diving Activities:  Horses and making sawdust

Favorite Food:  Dessert

Favorite Dive Location:  Philippines ,so far, but they keep getting better

 

Bruce

Role:  Divemaster

Diving Credentials:  PADI divemaster, HSA dive buddy

Real Job: Service engineer on diagnostic X-ray equipment

Personal Passions:  Grandkids, diving, cars

Non-Diving Activities:  Playing with grandkids, travel chasing my two labs

Favorite Food:  Everything

Favorite Dive Location:  Cozumel

Dave

Role:  Divemaster

Diving Credentials:  PADI Divemaster, DEMP

Real Job: Airline Pilot

Personal Passions:  All things Aviation, my wonderful daughter

Non-Diving Activities:  Restoring old airplanes, flying tail draggers and float planes, diving, dirt bikes, camping, fishing, travel

Favorite Food:  Waaayy to many to list, depends on mood

Favorite Dive Location:  Still in search of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don

Role:  Divemaster

Diving Credentials:  PADI Divemaster

Real Job: Plumbing Contractor

Personal Passions:  Spending time with family and friends, playing with my dog Tangybear, anything to do with water.

Non-Diving Activities:  Motorcycles street and dirt, Boating, water and snow skiing, camping, fishing, fixing things, making new friends thru scuba and picking on grandkids.

Favorite Food:  Steak and seafood, mexican

Favorite Dive Location:  Cozumel, looking forward to many more

 

Dustin

Role:  Divemaster

Diving Credentials:  PADI Divemaster, NAUI Master Scuba Diver, ACDE Commercial Diver

Real Job: Non-destructive Inspector, and I'm also a part time Jedi

Personal Passions:  Spending time with my lovely wife, my artwork, tech diving

Non-Diving Activities:  Art, youth pastor, video games, collecting comics, snowboarding, fishing, hunting, boating, camping, and working on cars.

Favorite Food:  Ribs...keepem' coming!

Favorite Dive Location:  Anywhere there is water. I'm a weirdo who loves lake diving. I may have also dove in the bathtub before....

 

Gary

Role: Divemaster

Real Job: Retired Software Engineer

Diving Credentials: PADI Divemaster

Personal passion: Diving and traveling to new places

Non-Diving Activities: Reading, spending time on a computer, traveling

Favorite food: Almost anything that doesn't eat me first, except liver.

Favorite Dive Location: Philippines, Solomon Islands, Roatan and the manta night dive on the island of Hawaii

Kris

Role: I am a Divemaster who assists instructors, especially underwater photo classes with the artificial reef, and love to help with bubblemakers for kids.

Real Job: I am a Chef: at this time working in a senior living facility, and I moonlight as Grandma of 4.

Diving Credentials: PADI Divemaster with some specialties: underwater photo, wreck, cenote & cave diver being my favorites. I have been a member of the Landry's Downtown Aquarium Team for almost 7 years.

Personal passion: Diving, photography, and the art of food and entertaining.

Non-Diving Activities: Ride motorcycles, ski, snowmobile, river-raft, ride horses, and love sailing or motor boating. I sew and paint a bit too. My Grandkids are trying to teach me to fish.

Favorite food: Ice Cream

Favorite Dive Location: Australia: Great Barrier Reef

Matt

Role: Divemaster

Real Job: Technical Security Supervisor

Diving Credentials: PADI Divemaster

Personal passion: Going new places and meeting new people

Non Diving Activities: Fly fishing, camping, rafting, the bar olympics, local music, and walking around Denver looking for adventure!

Favorite food: Anything with a little spice to it

Favorite Dive Location: Every new place I go has something unique, it's to hard to pick a favorite.

 

 

 

Michael

Role: Divemaster

Real Job: Town Manager

Diving Credentials: PADI Divemaster

Personal passion: Family, Diving, travel, and living life to the fullest!

Non Diving Activities: Spending time with the family (including two cats and two dogs), skiing, biking, hiking, working out, and searching for the next amazing dive locale.

Favorite food: Sushi and Mexican food are both tops for me. Love eating healthy and trying things I hated as kid.

Favorite Dive Location: Cozumel for the ease and pleasure of the diving. Hawaii for the location and the aloha feeling I get every time I travel there…and, of course, future favorites are being planned as you read this!

Rafal

Role: Divemaster

Real Job: Software Engineering Consultant

Diving Credentials: PADI Divemaster

Personal passion: Letting life happen and living every day to the fullest

Non Diving Activities: Hanging out with friends and family, travel, skiing, reading, playing music, decompressing in Vegas

Favorite food: Ensure

Favorite Dive Location: Playa Del Carmen Cenotes, Cozumel, Cayman Islands, Texas, Vermont... to name a few.

 

 

Ron

Role: Divemaster

Real Job: Clinical Pharmacist

Diving Credentials: PADI Divemaster, Tech Diver

Personal passion: Travel and Family, and of course, Traveling and Diving

Non Diving Activities: Tennis and snowboarding

Favorite food: Smoked Foods

Favorite Dive Location: Bonaire - especially the Windjammer

 

 

Steve

Role: Divemaster

Real Job: EMS Coordinator, Englewood Fire Dept and Emergency Manager, City of Englewood (whew, long title)

Diving Credentials: PADI Divemaster, HSA Dive Buddy

Personal passion: Diving, airplanes (flying them and working on them), riding my motorcycle, music, geneology

Non Diving Activities: Flight instructing, flying, working in the yard/garden, Friends of AirLife

Favorite food: Yeah, right. That's like asking a parent to pick their favorite child.

Favorite Dive Location: Typically, the one I am diving at the time. Otherwise, Dumaguete, Philippines, although Bonaire and Cozumel are pretty wonderful.