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

Travel Department

Lynn

Service Department

Shane

Andrew

Instructor Trainers

Scott

Chris

Carol

Heather W

Instructors

Shane

Lynn

Scott

Chris

Carol

Heather W

Andrew

Dave

Jeff

Mike

Rita

Tony

Julie

Rafal

Dave G

Thomas

Michael O

Trey

Jerry

Josh

Holly

Bill F

Alex

Assistant Instructors

Jade

Kevin

Eric J

Leila

Serene

Todd L

Divemasters

Myka

Brian P

Ryan C

Steve D

Aquarium Guides

Shane

Wendie

Andrew

Mike

Tony

Adam

Julie

Rafal

Jeff

Kevin

Thomas

Michael O

Todd L

Bill F

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

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

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

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

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!

Andrew

Role at A-1: Instructor & Service Technician

Real Job: Professional student

Diving Credentials: SSI Instructor, Handicapped Scuba Association Dive Master, DAN DEMP & DFA Pro Instructor, PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, PADI TecRec

Personal Passions: Marine & aquatic studies, travel & culture, animal welfare, and cooking

Non-Diving Activities: Traveling, backcountry skiing, hiking, and hockey

Favorite Food: I love my seafood (sustainable of course)

Favorite Dive Location: Whereever I’m going next…I love Socorro Island and the big animals there

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: Recreational Diving Instructor, Gas Blender Instructor

Real Job: Sr. Storage Engineer, Sirius Computer Solutions and Advertising Sales Manager, Toyota Trails magazine

Diving Credentials: SSI Instructor Trainer

Personal Passions: Scuba diving and four-wheeling

Favorite 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

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!

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: Recreational Diving Instructor, Gas Blender Instructor

Real Job: Sr. Storage Engineer, Sirius Computer Solutions and Advertising Sales Manager, Toyota Trails magazine

Diving Credentials: SSI Instructor Trainer

Personal Passions: Scuba diving and four-wheeling

Favorite 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

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!

Andrew

Role at A-1: Instructor & Service Technician

Real Job: Professional student

Diving Credentials: SSI Instructor, Handicapped Scuba Association Dive Master, DAN DEMP & DFA Pro Instructor, PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, PADI TecRec

Personal Passions: Marine & aquatic studies, travel & culture, animal welfare, and cooking

Non-Diving Activities: Traveling, backcountry skiing, hiking, and hockey

Favorite Food: I love my seafood (sustainable of course)

Favorite Dive Location: Whereever I’m going next…I love Socorro Island and the big animals there

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

Role: SSI Instructor

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.

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

Diving Credentials: SSI Instructor, PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Handicapped Scuba Association Instructor, Specialty Instructor, DEMP Instructor.

Personal Passions: My husband Pete.

Favorite 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.”

Tony

Role at A-1: Instructor and Aquarium Guide

Real Job: Sales Manager for Motorcycle dealership

Diving Credentials: Instructor, Denver Downtown Aquarium Dive Guide, Aquarium Volunteer and DAN DEMP Instructor

Personal passions: Family & Friends, and doing anything my grand kids tells me to.

Favorite 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 wreck dive, 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!

Julie

Role at A-1: Instructor, Denver Downtown Aquarium Guide, Volunteer and New Volunteer Diver Trainer

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: Several at the moment…Civil Engineer for the Bureau of Reclamation involved in design and construction of water projects throughout the west, Underwater Inspector for Bureau of Reclamation, Asst. Chief of Evergreen Fire/Rescue, and trip leader for a non-profit based in Denver for construction of homes and school rooms in rural Guatemala…

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, being the best Firefighter/EMT that I can become for my community, learning something new…

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Firefighting, skiing/snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, fly fishing, woodworking, building things, just being in the mountains with family and friends…

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

Favorite Dive Location: Australia, Bonaire, Little Cayman, Pacific Northwest, Shasta Dam…

Thomas

Role at A-1: Instructor and Aquarium Guide

Diving Credentials: SSI Instructor, HSA – Handicapped Scuba Association Instructor; DAN Instructor – Diving Emergency Management Provider, CPR & First Aid, Emergency Oxygen, and Marine Life Injuries.

Real Job: Retired Naval Reserves, 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), camping, a good movie, and playing my old vinyl.

Food: All I’m saying is you’ve never seen me crying and eating tacos at the same time.

Favorite dive spot: Any place I sink beneath the surface.

“From birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders. He is bolted to earth. But man has only to sink beneath the surface and he is free” ~ Jacques Yves Cousteau.

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

Jerry

Real Job: Research Scientist (Geologist)

Personal Passions: Anything outdoors and/or underwater with my family, friends, and new friends – learning, teaching, and growing together as citizens of our planet.

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Playing the drums in a Rock & Roll band called the Denver Meatpacking Company

Favorite Foods: Meat, specifically grilled meat (see above).

Favorite Dive Site: The Wall at Cane Bay, St. Croix, USVI

Josh

Real Job: Research and Development Engineer

Personal Passions: Experiencing new things.

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

Favorite Foods: My current favorites are takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and macadamia crusted halibut w/ mango sauce.

Favorite Dive Site: Richelieu Rock, Thailand

Holly

Real Job: Behavior Analyst

Personal Passions: Traveling to explore the world and experience new cultures with my husband, Josh.

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Traveling, rock climbing, cooking, tending to my cat’s every need

Favorite Food: It’s a toss up between my mom’s homemade pierogies and Panang Curry

Favorite Dive Location: Richelieu Rock, Thailand

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.

Alex

Real Job: Lieutenant for Denver Fire Department and Hazmat Team Manager FEMA Urban Search and Rescue CO-TF1.

Personal Passions: Giving back to the community through involvement in Firefighters Incorporated for Racial Equality, coaching youth cycling and working towards becoming a certified Sommelier.

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Bicycle Racing of all types, photography, world travel, food and wine education.

Favorite Foods: Spanish cuisine and fine wines from throughout the world.

Favorite Dive Site: Some favorites include; the Red Sea, Egypt, the islands of Fiji and around Iceland. The Cenotes in Mexico and the reefs of Cozumel will always be favorites and where I started diving over 25 years ago.

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

Diving Credentials: Assistant Instructor

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

Personal passions: Staying present in the moment with whomever I am with, where ever I am at.

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

Favorite food: Chinese

Favorite Dive Location: The A-1 pool, the Denver Aquarium or the Mushroom Forest at Curacao

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

Diving Credentials: Assistant Instructor, HSA Dive Buddy

Personal Passions: Family, Traveling, Scuba Diving

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Paddle boarding, Yoga, Gardening, Belly Dancing, Hiking & Exploring with our dogs

Favorite Food: Dark Chocolate

Favorite Dive Location: Great Barrier Reef

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

Myka

Role: Divemaster

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

Diving Credentials: Divemaster

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 lasagne

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

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 Divemaster, 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.

Ryan C

Role: Fresh new Divemaster

Real Job: Dermagraphic specialist and laser aesthetic specialist. I get paid to color on people or remove their mistakes (owner, Castle Rock Tattoo and Laser Removal Co).

Diving Credentials: SSI Divemaster/Naui AOW, and a bunch of extras! SSI Bronze (241 dives)

Personal Passion: diving, tattooing, traveling, teaching and I’m a foodie

Non-Diving Activities: traveling the globe! Collecting sweet tattoos

Favorite food: sushi, mexican and exotic game!!

Favorite Dive Location: Jamaica, Fiji, Cozumel, and pretty much wherever it’s 75deg plus water 😂

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!

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

Andrew

Role at A-1: Instructor & Service Technician

Real Job: Professional student

Diving Credentials: SSI Instructor, Handicapped Scuba Association Dive Master, DAN DEMP & DFA Pro Instructor, PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, PADI TecRec

Personal Passions: Marine & aquatic studies, travel & culture, animal welfare, and cooking

Non-Diving Activities: Traveling, backcountry skiing, hiking, and hockey

Favorite Food: I love my seafood (sustainable of course)

Favorite Dive Location: Whereever I’m going next…I love Socorro Island and the big animals there

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

Tony

Role at A-1: Instructor and Aquarium Guide

Real Job: Sales Manager for Motorcycle dealership

Diving Credentials: Instructor, Denver Downtown Aquarium Dive Guide, Aquarium Volunteer and DAN DEMP Instructor

Personal passions: Family & Friends, and doing anything my grand kids tells me to.

Favorite 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.

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, Denver Downtown Aquarium Guide, Volunteer and New Volunteer Diver Trainer

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

Diving Credentials: Assistant Instructor

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

Personal passions: Staying present in the moment with whomever I am with, where ever I am at.

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

Favorite food: Chinese

Favorite Dive Location: The A-1 pool, the Denver Aquarium or the Mushroom Forest at Curacao

Thomas

Role at A-1: Instructor and Aquarium Guide

Real Job: Retired Naval Reserves, 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), camping, a good movie, and playing my old vinyl.

Food: All I’m saying is you’ve never seen me crying and eating tacos at the same time.

Favorite dive spot: Any place I sink beneath the surface.

“From birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders. He is bolted to earth. But man has only to sink beneath the surface and he is free” ~ Jacques Yves Cousteau.

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!

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

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.