For the past 41 years, we’ve been fortunate to carry forward the A-1 legacy that began in 1959 by A-1 founders Violet and Ernie Busnardo. It’s been an incredible career and we are filled with profound gratitude.
As the new year begins, we’re excited to share an opportunity that allows A-1 to expand with greater resources and support, continue to grow and join a team who’s leading the diving industry into the future, while allowing us to step down as owners.
On Monday January 5, 2026, A-1 will become the twenty-first member of the Diventures family of dive stores – the nation’s largest network of local dive centers and swim schools. Founded in Omaha Nebraska in 2009, Diventures provides water safety, education, swim lessons, scuba training, dive gear sales and service, and both group and private dive travel.
We’ve known Dean Hollis and Diventures team for many years and have always felt our companies’ values aligned. We share a like-minded vision, passion, philosophy, and dedication to exceeding customer expectations – with the belief the “customer always comes first.” These shared values give us great confidence in the future success of A-1.
We’re equally excited that our staff and crewmembers will have opportunities for growth, diversification, and continue A-1 traditions, now supported by expanded resources.
During our four decades of working fulltime in the industry, we’ve been privileged to help shape, improve, and positively impact the industry we cherish. Any success we’ve achieved can be attributed to the incredible staff, diving professionals, and thousands of customers who have supported us along the way.
In the months ahead, we’ll remain actively involved to ensure a smooth transition. The things we love most haven’t changed. We plan to continue teaching, guiding at the Aquarium, expanding adaptive diving programs across the Diventures family of stores, and co-lead group trips.
What will not change are the friendly faces you know and trust:
- Retail Team: Bob, Austin, Brett, Kevin, Benj
- Service Team: Shane, Bill, Andrew, Dom, Jon, and Sean
- Shane: General Manager
- Bob: Operations Manager
- Austin: Retail Supervisor
- Heather: will work with Scott to become the Lead of the Education Department.
- Lynn: will assist the Diventures team with current group trips, accounting support, payroll changes, and administrative processes.
We thought it would be fun to highlight just a few of the contributions we’ve been honored to be part of over the years.
- Built lifelong friendships around the world.
- Helped create positive change in the industry.
- Introduced thousands to the joy and wonder of diving.
- Created Aquarium programs unmatched in the industry.
- Helped pioneer adaptive diving, showing that water is the great equalizer.
- Worked hand-in-hand with the National Park Service Submerged Resources Center to create the WVIP (Wounded Veterans In Parks) program – Pearl Harbor, USS Arizona project.
- Escorted hundreds of divers to locations around the globe.
- To name a few.
It’s rewarding to make this change while we’re still on top of our game, but we’re not done! Instead, this is a new beginning, opening doors to fresh opportunities and adventures.
We invite you to join us on February 7th from noon to 4 pm to meet the Diventures “A” team!
Thank you for being a part of this incredible ride!
With gratitude,
Lynn and Scott
