Meet The TeamKarie2020-01-10T14:48:58-07:00

Meet The Denver Team

The Owners Of A-1 Scuba & Travel Center – Lynn & Scott

Click on the images below to learn more about our staff.

Owners

Retail Crew

Shane

Bob

Tammy

Brett

Austin

Eric Y

Mackenzie

Travel Department

Lynn

Service Department

Shane

Todd H

Dom

Instructor Trainers

Scott

Chris

Carol

Heather W

Instructors

Shane

Lynn

Scott

Chris

Carol

Heather W

Dave

Jeff M

Mike

Rita

Todd H

Julie

Rafal

Dave G

Thomas

Michael O

Trey

Jerry

Zan

Dom

Josh

Holly

Bill F

Tracy

Assistant Instructors

Donn

Jade

Kevin

Eric J

Leila

Serene

Dylon

Todd L

Ryan C

Brian P

Myka

Divemasters

Phil

Nicole

Eric B

Mackenzie

Dan

Steve D

Aquarium Guides

Shane

Wendie

Mike

Todd H

Adam

Julie

Rafal

Jeff

Kevin

Thomas

Michael O

Dom

Todd L

Holly

Bill F

Josh

Dylon

Title

Owners

Lynn and Scott Taylor

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, DAN Instructor and Handicapped Scuba Association Instructor.

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

Personal passion:
Spending time with their kids and grandkids.

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

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 favorites: Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Truk, Palau, Galapagos and Cozumel

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

Our Motto:

The grass will never grow under our feet but the sand will always remain between our toes!

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: 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: Playing with my kids (twins!), 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.

Favorite Animal: Manta Ray

Bob

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

Real Job: Being a loving husband, father, and grandfather

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

Personal Passions: Spending time with my family and close friends, and mostly spending quality time with my youngest grandson.

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: 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.

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

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

Favorite food: Italian, chicken and of course chocolate

Favorite Dive Location: Maui

Brett

Role at A-1: Sales Specialist

Real Job: Bigfoot Hunter

Diving Credentials: Advanced Open Water, Enriched Air, Wreck Diver

Personal Passions: Southwest Archeology, music, sports memorabilia, spending time with family and friends

Non-Diving Activities: Mountain biking, hiking, backpacking, fitness, reading

Favorite Food: Steak, burgers, Italian, pasties

Favorite Dive Location: I have enjoyed every place I have been, but favorite is probably Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon

Favorite Animal: Kittens

Austin

Roll at A-1: Retail Supervisor

Diving Credentials: Open Water Diver

Personal Passions: All things Oceans and Wildlife, Music, Family & Friends, Technology, Sports.

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: I enjoy anything Outdoors from Skiing/ Snowboarding to playing Disc Golf with friends and hiking. I also really just enjoy relaxing outside.

Favorite Food: PIZZA!

Favorite Dive Location: The Bahamas or Belize

Favorite Animal: Sea Turtles

Eric Y

Role at A-1: Retail Specialist

Real Job: Retail

Diving Credentials: PADI Master Instructor

Personal Passions: Traveling

Non-Diving Activities: Disc Golf

Favorite Food: Beer

Favorite Dive Location: California

Favorite Animal: Wombat

Mackenzie

Role at A-1: Training Coordinator

Real Job: Mom, College Student, and Business owner

Diving Credentials: SSI Divemaster

Personal Passions: Designing, Freediving, Spearfishing

Non-Diving Activities: Creating any kind of art, Reading or Playing with my Daughters

Favorite Food: Japanese/Thai

Favorite Dive Location: As of right now the Downtown Aquarium

Favorite Animal: Green Sea Turtle

Lynn

Role: Owner, Director of Travel Agency – “Island Dreamer” and 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: SSI AIT, IDC Staff Instructor, Handicapped Scuba Association Instructor, DAN Provider and Amature Photographer

Personal Passion: Spending time with my family & friends – especially my four 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.

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: 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 Food: Italian! Of Course!

Favorite Animal: Manta Ray

Todd H

Role at A-1: Instructor and Service Technician

Diving Credentials: SSI AIT, DAN Instructor, DEMP 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

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Motorcycles, golf, food and wine, hiking

Favorite Food: BBQ…Sushi…BBQ…Sushi…Martini’s

Favorite Dive Location: Roatan Honduras

Favorite Animal: Liger…Duh

Dom

Role at A-1: Instructor / Aquarium Dive Guide

Real Job: Service Tech / Alaskan Fishing Captain Guide

Diving Credentials: SSI Instructor, PADI Instructor

Personal Passions: Snowboarding, Fishing, Underwater Ecology

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Hockey, Golfing

Favorite Food: Buffalo Wings

Favorite Dive Location: 1st Cathedral, Lanai, Maui

Favorite Animal: Orca

Scott

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

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: SSI, DAN and the Handicapped Scuba Association

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

Non-Diving Activities: Motorcycling, ATVing, jet skiing, camping…………..

Favorite Food: Meat and tators. Not a “green” fan.

Favorite Dive Location: I can’t name just one, so here’s my top ones: Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Truk, Palau, Galapagos and Cozumel

Chris

Role at A-1: Instructor Trainer / Instructor

Real Job: Technical Support Engineer

Diving Credentials: SSI Instructor Trainer, PADI Master Instructor, DAN Instructor

Personal Passions: Scuba diving and four-wheeling

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Four wheeling, watching Hockey and Football

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

Favorite Dive Location: Tahiti

Favorite Animal: Cat

Carol

Role at A-1: Instructor and Coordinator for the A-1 Divers with Disabilities Program

Real Job: Recreation Therapist at Craig Hospital

Diving Credentials: SSI Instructor Trainer, DAN Instructor, Handicapped Scuba Association Instructor

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

Heather W

Role at A-1: Instructor and Instructor Trainer

Diving credentials: SSI Instructor Trainer, Handicapped Scuba Association Instructor, Specialty Instructor, DAN Instructor, PADI Master Instructor.

Personal passions: Having new experiences in new places (although my family and friends might argue it’s Frankie Valli). I’m an adrenaline junkie.

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Time with family and friends-both two and four legged, travel, reading and photography.

Favorite Food: Nobody makes anything that tastes as good as mom does-except dad!

Favorite Dive Location: My favorite locations are always wherever I happen to be blowing bubbles at the time, most recently Lembeh Strait, Palau and Galapagos. Thanks to all of the great dive buddies along the way who have made diving such an incredible experience!

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: 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 Food: Italian! Of Course!

Favorite Animal: Manta Ray

Lynn

Role: Owner, Director of Travel Agency – “Island Dreamer” and 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: SSI AIT, IDC Staff Instructor, Handicapped Scuba Association Instructor, DAN Provider and Amature Photographer

Personal Passion: Spending time with my family & friends – especially my four 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

Scott

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

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: SSI, DAN and the Handicapped Scuba Association

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

Non-Diving Activities: Motorcycling, ATVing, jet skiing, camping…………..

Favorite Food: Meat and tators. Not a “green” fan.

Favorite Dive Location: I can’t name just one, so here’s my top ones: Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Truk, Palau, Galapagos and Cozumel

Chris

Role at A-1: Instructor Trainer / Instructor

Real Job: Technical Support Engineer

Diving Credentials: SSI Instructor Trainer, PADI Master Instructor, DAN Instructor

Personal Passions: Scuba diving and four-wheeling

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Four wheeling, watching Hockey and Football

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

Favorite Dive Location: Tahiti

Favorite Animal: Cat

Carol

Role at A-1: Instructor and Coordinator for the A-1 Divers with Disabilities Program

Real Job: Recreation Therapist at Craig Hospital

Diving Credentials: SSI Instructor Trainer, DAN Instructor, Handicapped Scuba Association Instructor

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

Heather W

Role at A-1: Instructor and Instructor Trainer

Diving credentials: SSI Instructor Trainer, Handicapped Scuba Association Instructor, Specialty Instructor, DAN Instructor, PADI Master Instructor.

Personal passions: Having new experiences in new places (although my family and friends might argue it’s Frankie Valli). I’m an adrenaline junkie.

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Time with family and friends-both two and four legged, travel, reading and photography.

Favorite Food: Nobody makes anything that tastes as good as mom does-except dad!

Dave

“SUPER DAVE” – HONORABE ALL-TIME CREWMEMBER

Dave was a loyal crewmember of A-1 for many years. He was a friend to many, loving husband, companion, highly qualified instructor, ambassador of diving and a REALLY, REALLY GOOD GUY!!

He will be forever remembered for his unending smile, upbeat personality, friendly disposition and ability to make those around him feel special. Those of us fortunate to know him are better as a result.

Love ya man!!

Jeff M

Role at A-1: Instructor

Real Job: Commercial Appraiser (Land and Buildings)

Diving Credentials: SSI Specialty Instructor

Personal Passions: Underwater photography

Non-Diving Activities: Bicycling and watching the grand kids play ice hockey

Favorite Food: Anything you put in front of me (unless its super spicy)

Favorite Dive Location: Depends. For “beauty” it’s Palau. For “wrecks” it’s Truk. For “closest good place” it’s Cozumel.

Favorite Animal: Manta Ray

Mike

Role at A-1: 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

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.

Diving Credentials: SSI Instructor, PADI MSDT (Master Scuba Diving Instructor) DAN DEMP instructor

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

Favorite 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

Rita

Role at A-1: Instructor

Real Job: Retired, Volunteer Colorado Master Gardener

Diving Credentials: SSI Specialty Instructor, PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, HSA Instructor

Personal Passions: Doing fun activities and adventures with my husband Pete.

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Travel, Motorcycling, Snowboarding, Gardening, 4-wheeling

Favorite Food: Anything hot and spicy, chili verde in particular

Favorite Dive Location: Cozumel for the ease of getting there, drift diving, and friendly people and Mexico’s Riviera Maya for the spectacular cenotes! And Kona, the Big Island in Hawaii for the manta ray dive and black water dive! And…..so many more to choose from.

Favorite Animal: Above water, dogs. Under water, manta rays.

Todd H

Role at A-1: Instructor and Service Technician

Diving Credentials: SSI AIT, DAN Instructor, DEMP 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

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Motorcycles, golf, food and wine, hiking

Favorite Food: BBQ…Sushi…BBQ…Sushi…Martini’s

Favorite Dive Location: Roatan Honduras

Favorite Animal: Liger…Duh

Julie

Role at A-1: Instructor, Specialty Instructor, Denver Downtown Aquarium Guide

Real Job: Certified Nurse Assistant/Unit Coordinator

Personal passions: Family and friends, and spending time with my grandchildren.

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Motorcycling, hunting & fishing, beginner kayaking, hanging out with friends, and other stuff that’s fun!

Favorite food: Steak, chicken tenders, fish and chips. Actually I’m a very picky eater. Nothing Spicy!

Favorite Dive Location: Roatan, Honduras. I love wreck dives, and seeing sharks and rays.

Rafal

Role at A-1: Instructor and Downtown Aquarium Guide

Real Job: Software Engineering Consultant

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

Favorite 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.

Dave G

Role at A-1: Instructor

Real Job: Professional Engineer for Dept. of Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, specializing in concrete design, inspection, and analysis of hydraulic structures.

Diving Credentials: Been a certified diver since 1993, Technical Diver in Surface Supplied Kirby Morgan Hard Hat Diving and OTS Full Face Mask diving for the Bureau of Reclamation Diving Program and SSI instructor

Personal passions: Spending time with Family and Friends

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Snowboarding, Mountain biking, and Backpacking/Camping

Favorite food: Italian, or anything that someone cooks for me…

Favorite Dive Location: Bonaire and Cozumel

Favorite Animal: Octopus

Thomas

Role at A-1: Instructor / Aquarium Dive Guide

Diving Credentials: SSI Specialties Instructor, HSA Instructor; DAN Instructor

Real Job: Retired Naval Reserves, Retired Benefit and Training Specialist

Personal Passions: Live music, theater, traveling, fun people, higher learning, and spending time with my kids, grand kids and dogs.

Favorite Non-diving Activities: Bicycling, pool league (the other pool), RV-ing and camping, a good movie, and playing my old vinyl.

Favorite Food: All I’m saying is, no one has ever seen me crying and eating tacos at the same time.

Favorite Dive Location: : So many and so little time. In the bucket – Kamado Island and Hawaii. Out of the bucket – Galapagos, Red Sea, and Great Barrier Reef.

Favorite Animal: : So many and so little time. In the bucket – Kamado Island and Hawaii. Out of the bucket – Galapagos, Red Sea, and Great Barrier Reef.

Michael O

Diving Credentials: SSI Instructor

Real Job: Dive Safety Officer at the Denver Downtown Aquarium and providing excellent customer service to our guests!

Personal Passions: Photography

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Backpacking, Soccer and playing the Legend of Zelda.

Favorite Food: Sushi (sorry fishes!)

Fav Dive Location: Florida Keys and the Downtown Aquarium!

Trey

Role at A-1: Instructor

Real Job: Clinical Psychologist

Personal Passions: Despite the usual connotations of my “real job” being to help people, I’m actually generally trying to convince people that they aren’t as crazy as they’ve been told they are. Along with the occasioned armchair philosophizing, I love teaching and sharing knowledge with others in a multitude of settings.

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Although I’m generally trying to find ways to be in the water, I also enjoy cooking, playing tennis, and trying to train my endlessly stubborn dog.

Favorite Food: Scrambled eggs

Favorite Dive Location: Cenotes in Mexico

Favorite Animal: Skunk

Jerry

Role at A1: Instructor

Real Job: Research Scientist (Geologist)

Diving Credentials: SSI Instructor

Personal Passions: Music, Diving, Skiing

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Diving 🙂

Favorite Foods: Bacon

Favorite Dive Site: Pinnacles Reef, Puerto Rico

Favorite Animal: Animal from the Muppets – My Spirit Muppet

Zan

Role at A-1: Instructor

Real Job: Personal Trainer

Diving Credentials: SSI Open Water Instructor

Personal Passions: Fishing, Diving, Camping, Weight Lifting, Snowboarding

Favorite Food: Steak

Favorite Dive Location: Grand Cayman

Favorite Animal: My Dog

Dom

Role at A-1: Instructor / Aquarium Dive Guide

Real Job: Service Tech / Alaskan Fishing Captain Guide

Diving Credentials: SSI Instructor, PADI Instructor

Personal Passions: Snowboarding, Fishing, Underwater Ecology

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Hockey, Golfing

Favorite Food: Buffalo Wings

Favorite Dive Location: 1st Cathedral, Lanai, Maui

Favorite Animal: Orca

Josh

Role at A1: Instructor / Dive Guide

Real Job: Research and Development Engineer

Diving Credentials: SSI Instructor, PADI Dive Master

Personal Passions: Diving and Rock Climbing

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Rock climbing, jungle trekking, traveling, cooking, playing Overwatch, and spending time with family and friends.

Favorite Foods: Thai

Favorite Dive Site: Similan Islands, Thailand

Favorite Animal: Sharks

Holly

Role at A-1: Instructor/Dive Guide

Real Job: Behavior Analyst

Diving Credentials: SSI Instructor, PADI Dive Master

Personal Passions: Exploring new places, and embracing new experiences.

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Traveling, rock climbing, cooking

Favorite Food: Panang Curry

Favorite Dive Location: Richelieu Rock, Thailand

Favorite Animal: Dolphin

Bill F

Roll at A-1: Instructor and Aquarium Guide

Real Job: Firefighter/EMT for South Metro Fire Rescue

Diving Credentials: SSI Open Water Instructor, Dive Guide at Denver Aquarium, South Metro Fire Rescue Dive Rescue Team

Personal Passions/Favorite Non-Diving Activities: When I am not planning my next dive vacation, you can find me on the golf course. My wife of 25 years and two daughters (17,20) are my biggest passion.

“Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.”

Favorite Food: The local cuisine of wherever I am traveling to.

Favorite Dive Location: Ultimately any location that I am underwater with my family. If I had to pick one location that stands out, that would be Roatan, Honduras. This is the first place I was able to dive with both of my daughters at the same time. That memory will last forever.

Tracy

Role at A-1: Instructor

Real Job: Retired

Diving Credentials: SSI Instructor, PADI Instructor

Personal Passions: Skiing, Cycle, Scuba

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Boating

Favorite Food: Meat and Potatoes

Favorite Dive Location: Cozumel

Favorite Animal: Spotted Eagle Ray

Donn

Diving Credentials: Assistant Instructor

Real Job: Plumbing Contractor

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

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

Favorite Food: Steak and seafood, Mexican

Favorite Dive Location: Cozumel, looking forward to many more

Jade

Diving Credentials: Assistant Instructor

Real Job: RN at the Medical Center of Aurora and Highlands Behavioral Health

Personal Passions: Diving, Freemasonry, Reading

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

Favorite Food: Lobster Bisque

Favorite Dive Location: Where ever I can get to

Kevin

Role at A-1: Assistant Instructor

Diving Credentials: SSI Assistant Instructor

Real Job: Retired and loving the freedom of not having to work.

Personal passions: Historical Site, Traveling

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Road or mountain biking (though I crash more on the mountain bike), camping and hiking

Favorite Food: Thai

Favorite Dive Location: Roatan

Favorite Animal: Rescue Dogs

Eric J

Role at A-1: Assistant Instructor, Craig day dive buddy

Diving Credentials: Divemaster, HSA dive buddy

Personal Passions: Family, Friends, Veterans, and (of course) blowing bubbles

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Traveling, Cycling, Camping, Pushing myself

Favorite Food: Alaskan king crab legs (but I have a serious soft spot for donuts, meatball subs, and all those “healthy” things in life)

Favorite Dive Location: Anywhere I can see Octopuses or Manta Rays

Leila

Role at A-1: Assistant Instructor, HSA Dive Buddy

Real Job: Veterinary Radiologist

Personal Passions: My dogs, biking, diving

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Traveling to Europe to do the famous bicycle climbs.

Favorite Food: Whipped Cream

Favorite Dive Location: Roatan

Serene

Role at A-1: Assistant Instructor, HSA Dive Buddy

Real Job: Sr. Director of Production Operations at NRTC – we bring broadband to rural America!

Diving Credentials: SSI Assistant Instructor, HSA Dive Buddy

Personal Passions: Being a Grandma and spreading positivity

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Family time, Traveling, Photography, Yoga, Spending time with our dogs, Gardening, SUP, Hiking, Playing on the Sea Doos, Reading, Learning

Favorite Food: Indian food – all of it!

Favorite Dive Location: Great Barrier Reef

Favorite Animal: Dogs (above water), and Rays (below water)

Dylon

Role at A-1: Assistant Instructor, Aquarium Guide

Real Job: Engineer

Diving Credentials: SSI Assistant Instructor

Personal Passions: I have a passion for the outdoors, the underwater world in particular. I also enjoy learning, building new skills, and taking on personal DIY projects.

Non-Diving Activities: Hiking, skiing, hobby DIY projects, traveling, and spending time with friends

Favorite Food: Food in general, but BBQ is some of my favorite

Favorite Dive Location: Caribbean, but anywhere I can see marine life is great

Favorite Animal: Sharks

Todd L

Role at A-1: Assistant Instructor, HSA Dive buddy

Real Job: Owner Temperature Needs LLC HVAC

Personal Passions: Travel, Family & Creating

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Hiking, being at the lake, mountains, garden

Favorite Food: Indian but really like it all

Favorite Dive Location: That spot where I got to go underwater and blow bubbles, Ya that one

Ryan C

Role at A-1: Assistant Instructor

Real Job: Tattoo and Laser Specialist (owner, Castle Rock Tattoo and Laser Removal Co).

Diving Credentials: SSI Assistant Instructor/Naui AOW, and a bunch of extras! SSI Bronze

Personal Passion: Diving and Tattooing/Lasering

Non-Diving Activities: Tattooing, Travel, Guns!

Favorite food: All and anything exotic!

Favorite Dive Location: Caribbean, Fiji

Favorite Animal: Habu

Brian P

Real Job: I was almost retired but darn if someone offered me a job. I work as a Project Manager for a utility construction company.

Diving Credentials: SSI Assistant Instructor, SSI Dive Guide, SSI Snorkeling Instructor, PADI Master Scuba Diver, DAN DEMP Certified

Personal Passions: I do love the water and have found scuba diving to be one of my passions. I enjoy being a volunteer diver at the Downtown Aquarium and look forward to becoming a dive guide there.

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: I find spending time with our grand-babies very satisfying; I tend to get us in trouble. I enjoy photography (both above and below the surface) because you can hunt and shoot things without all the mess! I like to play ice hockey, work out at the gym and go for extended bicycle rides.

Favorite Food: I do like Italian dishes and, if it’s chocolate, I’ll eat it.

Favorite Dive Location: I really enjoy the South Pacific part of this Big Blue Marble with Lembeh Strait, Indonesia being one of my favorites. I am always open to trying new dive locations.

Myka

Role: Assistant Instructor

Real Job: 8th grade science teacher at Laredo Middle School in Cherry Creek School District

Diving Credentials: Assistant Instructor

Personal passion: Teaching kids to love learning, teaching divers to love to dive (and dive safely), and dogs, including our English Cream Golden Retrievers, Duke and Maisie

Non-Diving Activities: I love to travel, go camping, and reading

Favorite food: My mother’s lasagna

Favorite Dive Location: The Florida Keys, particularly the wrecks, and Grand Cayman’s Governor’s Wall

Phil

Role at A-1: Divemaster

Real Job: Dragon Slayer

Diving Credentials: SSI Divemaster

Personal Passions: Scuba

Non-Diving Activities: Baseball, Beach time

Favorite Food: Filet mignon

Favorite Dive Location: Socorro

Favorite Animal: Octopus

Nicole

Role at A-1: Dive Master

Real Job: Water Treatment Plant Manager

Diving Credentials: SSI Dive Master

Personal Passions: Spending time with family, Traveling, Scuba diving, Animal and environmental conservation

Non-Diving Activities: Reading, Visiting New York City, Volunteering at Max fund (No-kill animal shelter) with the cats

Favorite Food: Indian

Favorite Dive Location: Anywhere under water is great, but the Socorro Island area was really amazing!

Favorite Animal: Vultures, tigers, sharks, polar bears, Octopus, cats, dogs, barracuda, whales, elephants, … How can I Choose?

Eric B

Role at A-1: Divemaster

Real Job: Firefighter/Paramedic/Dive Team Member

Diving Credentials: SSI Divemaster, DEMP

Personal Passions: Helping anyone that needs it

Non-Diving Activities: Dirt biking, running with family

Favorite Food: Chicken wings and Beer…can’t have one with out the other!

Favorite Dive Location: Cozumel…inexpensive, easy to get to and great diving

Favorite Animal: Chicken

Mackenzie

Role at A-1: Training Coordinator

Real Job: Mom, College Student, and Business owner

Diving Credentials: SSI Divemaster

Personal Passions: Designing, Freediving, Spearfishing

Non-Diving Activities: Creating any kind of art, Reading or Playing with my Daughters

Favorite Food: Japanese/Thai

Favorite Dive Location: As of right now the Downtown Aquarium

Favorite Animal: Green Sea Turtle

Dan

Role at A-1: Dive Master

Real Job: Utility Worker, Construction Manager for local water utility

Diving Credentials: SSI Divemaster

Personal Passions: Family, friendships, travel, skiing, and diving too!

Non-Diving Activities: Somewhere between couch potato and hanging out in the mountains or traveling. Our dogs will not be denied an afternoon walk.

Favorite Food: Mexican

Favorite Dive Location: A couple, Cozumel is like if God and Mother Nature got together and made an adventure park for SCUBA divers. Coron Bay, Philippines is like if the US Navy and the Imperial Japanese Navy got together and made an adventure park for SCUBA divers…still taking applications for my favorite dive location.

Favorite Animal: Dogs or Sea Turtles.

Steve D

Role: Divemaster

Real Job: Medical Specialist

Diving Credentials: I have been a certified diver for over 25 years and had the privilege to go diving all over the world. I have also volunteered as a diver at the Denver aquarium and enjoyed helping out the facility where I can. The most exciting dives I have done were in Colorado while volunteering with Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Personal Passion: My individual passions having fun and helping others because of the enjoyment I get from both.

Non-Diving Activities: Skiing, Snowboarding, Backpacking, Rock Climbing, Hockey, Fishing, and any other adventurous activities

Favorite food: Oysters

Favorite Dive Location: Monterey Bay

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: 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 Food: Italian! Of Course!

Favorite Animal: Manta Ray

Wendie

Diving Credentials: SSI IT Staff Instructor, DAN DEMP Instructor, Handicapped Scuba Association Instructor Trainer.

Real Job: Program Director at the Denver Downtown Aquarium

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

Non-Diving Activities: Volleyball, Running (I think), Skiing, camping and enjoy hanging out with good friends.

Favorite Food: Hot Wings

Favorite Dive Location: Philippines and the Galapagos

Mike

Role at A-1: 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

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.

Diving Credentials: SSI Instructor, PADI MSDT (Master Scuba Diving Instructor) DAN DEMP instructor

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

Favorite 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

Todd H

Role at A-1: Instructor and Service Technician

Diving Credentials: SSI AIT, DAN Instructor, DEMP 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

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Motorcycles, golf, food and wine, hiking

Favorite Food: BBQ…Sushi…BBQ…Sushi…Martini’s

Favorite Dive Location: Roatan Honduras

Favorite Animal: Liger…Duh

Adam

Role at A-1: Downtown Aquarium Guide

Real Job: Market Analyst

Diving Credentials: SSI Assistant Instructor, Aquarium Guide, TEC50

Personal Passions: Learning, traveling, food

Non-Diving Activities: Backcountry skiing, ice hockey, photography

Favorite Food: Rib eye, sashimi, bordeaux, craft beer, anything exotic

Favorite Dive Location: Fiji, Cayman Islands, Bonaire

Julie

Role at A-1: Instructor, Specialty Instructor, Denver Downtown Aquarium Guide

Real Job: Certified Nurse Assistant/Unit Coordinator

Personal passions: Family and friends, and spending time with my grandchildren.

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Motorcycling, hunting & fishing, beginner kayaking, hanging out with friends, and other stuff that’s fun!

Favorite food: Steak, chicken tenders, fish and chips. Actually I’m a very picky eater. Nothing Spicy!

Favorite Dive Location: Roatan, Honduras. I love wreck dives, and seeing sharks and rays.

Rafal

Role at A-1: Instructor and Downtown Aquarium Guide

Real Job: Software Engineering Consultant

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

Favorite 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.

Jeff

Diving Credentials: Assistant Instructor and Aquarium Guide

Real Job: I climb trees. Arborist for the City and County of Denver.

Personal passions: Travel

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Hockey, Flyfishing, Bee keeping, Beer making

Favorite food: Vegetarians, a majority of my food only eats vegetables.

Favorite Dive Location: Suicide Cliffs, Okinawa, Japan; Lighthouse Reef, Belize

Kevin

Role at A-1: Assistant Instructor

Diving Credentials: SSI Assistant Instructor

Real Job: Retired and loving the freedom of not having to work.

Personal passions: Historical Site, Traveling

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Road or mountain biking (though I crash more on the mountain bike), camping and hiking

Favorite Food: Thai

Favorite Dive Location: Roatan

Favorite Animal: Rescue Dogs

Thomas

Role at A-1: Instructor / Aquarium Dive Guide

Diving Credentials: SSI Specialties Instructor, HSA Instructor; DAN Instructor

Real Job: Retired Naval Reserves, Retired Benefit and Training Specialist

Personal Passions: Live music, theater, traveling, fun people, higher learning, and spending time with my kids, grand kids and dogs.

Favorite Non-diving Activities: Bicycling, pool league (the other pool), RV-ing and camping, a good movie, and playing my old vinyl.

Favorite Food: All I’m saying is, no one has ever seen me crying and eating tacos at the same time.

Favorite Dive Location: : So many and so little time. In the bucket – Kamado Island and Hawaii. Out of the bucket – Galapagos, Red Sea, and Great Barrier Reef.

Favorite Animal: : So many and so little time. In the bucket – Kamado Island and Hawaii. Out of the bucket – Galapagos, Red Sea, and Great Barrier Reef.

Michael O

Diving Credentials: SSI Instructor

Real Job: Dive Safety Officer at the Denver Downtown Aquarium and providing excellent customer service to our guests!

Personal Passions: Photography

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Backpacking, Soccer and playing the Legend of Zelda.

Favorite Food: Sushi (sorry fishes!)

Fav Dive Location: Florida Keys and the Downtown Aquarium!

Dom

Role at A-1: Instructor / Aquarium Dive Guide

Real Job: Service Tech / Alaskan Fishing Captain Guide

Diving Credentials: SSI Instructor, PADI Instructor

Personal Passions: Snowboarding, Fishing, Underwater Ecology

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Hockey, Golfing

Favorite Food: Buffalo Wings

Favorite Dive Location: 1st Cathedral, Lanai, Maui

Favorite Animal: Orca

Todd L

Role at A-1: Assistant Instructor, HSA Dive buddy

Real Job: Owner Temperature Needs LLC HVAC

Personal Passions: Travel, Family & Creating

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Hiking, being at the lake, mountains, garden

Favorite Food: Indian but really like it all

Favorite Dive Location: That spot where I got to go underwater and blow bubbles, Ya that one

Holly

Role at A-1: Instructor/Dive Guide

Real Job: Behavior Analyst

Diving Credentials: SSI Instructor, PADI Dive Master

Personal Passions: Exploring new places, and embracing new experiences.

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Traveling, rock climbing, cooking

Favorite Food: Panang Curry

Favorite Dive Location: Richelieu Rock, Thailand

Favorite Animal: Dolphin

Bill F

Roll at A-1: Instructor and Aquarium Guide

Real Job: Firefighter/EMT for South Metro Fire Rescue

Diving Credentials: SSI Open Water Instructor, Dive Guide at Denver Aquarium, South Metro Fire Rescue Dive Rescue Team

“Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.”

Favorite Food: The local cuisine of wherever I am traveling to.

Josh

Role at A1: Instructor / Dive Guide

Real Job: Research and Development Engineer

Diving Credentials: SSI Instructor, PADI Dive Master

Personal Passions: Diving and Rock Climbing

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Rock climbing, jungle trekking, traveling, cooking, playing Overwatch, and spending time with family and friends.

Favorite Foods: Thai

Favorite Dive Site: Similan Islands, Thailand

Favorite Animal: Sharks

Dylon

Role at A-1: Assistant Instructor, Aquarium Guide

Real Job: Engineer

Diving Credentials: SSI Assistant Instructor

Personal Passions: I have a passion for the outdoors, the underwater world in particular. I also enjoy learning, building new skills, and taking on personal DIY projects.

Non-Diving Activities: Hiking, skiing, hobby DIY projects, traveling, and spending time with friends

Favorite Food: Food in general, but BBQ is some of my favorite

Favorite Dive Location: Caribbean, but anywhere I can see marine life is great

Favorite Animal: Sharks