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

Eric

Tammy

Brett

Kayce

Travel Department

Lynn

Service Department

Shane

Andrew

Bill T

Brian

Instructor Trainers

Scott

Chris

Carol

Butch

Heather W

Instructors

Shane

Bob

Lynn

Scott

Chris

Carol

Butch

Heather W

Andrew

AnnaMaria

Bill T

Dave

Jennifer

Mike

Rita

Stacie

Steve

Todd H

Tony

Julie

Rafal

Dave

Thomas

Michael O

Mitzi

Kayce

Andrew Hurry

Bill F

Assistant Instructors

Adam

Chelsea

Donn

Jade

Jeff

Kevin

Divemasters

Bruce

Joe

Eric J

Brian

Serene

Todd L

Jill

Aquarium Guides

Shane

Scott

Carol

Butch

Wendie

AnnaMaria

Bill T

Mike

Todd H

Adam

Chelsea

Julie

Rafal

Jeff

Thomas

Michael O

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 and Instructor. 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 into 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.

Eric

Role: Play Facilitator

Real Job: What – this is my real job

Diving Credentials: Instructor (retired), First Response Instructor, SDI/TDI Open Water Scuba Instructor, with 14 Instructor Specialties

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

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

Favorite Food: Well that’s like asking who your favorite child is but I guess 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

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

Kayce

Role at A-1: SSI Instructor and Retail Specialist

Personal Passions: Coral reef restoration, cleaning our oceans, and saving the planet one straw at a time

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Hiking, snowboarding, weightlifting, and yoga

Favorite Food: All the food…but mostly pizza

Favorite Dive Location: So far diving in the British Virgin Islands is my favorite, but I can’t wait to get more locations under my belt and discover more of our beautiful underwater world.

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

Bill T

Role at A-1: Dive Guide at the Downtown Aquarium, Service Technician, Scuba Instructor

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!

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

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

Favorite 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!

Brian

Role at A-1: Service technician, Divemaster

Personal Passions: Scuba diving, ocean and global conservation and consciousness

Non-Diving Activities: bass playing, song writing, snowboarding and family

Favorite Food: Ethiopian

Favorite Dive Location: Columbia deep and Punta Sur

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

Butch

Role at A-1: Instructor Trainer and Instructor

Diving Credentials: Instructor Trainer, DAN DEMP Instructor, A-1 Scuba Dive Guide at the Denver Aquarium, Denver Aquarium Dive Academy Instructor.

Real Job: Mechanical Engineer

Personal Passions: Family & teaching scuba diving

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Skiing, Flying, Motorcycles, Traveling

Favorite Food: Pizza & Mexican Food

Favorite Dive Location: Anywhere it is Wet!

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!

Bob

Role at A-1: Operations Manager & Retail Sales and Instructor. 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 into 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.

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

Butch

Role at A-1: Instructor Trainer and Instructor

Diving Credentials: Instructor Trainer, DAN DEMP Instructor, A-1 Scuba Dive Guide at the Denver Aquarium, Denver Aquarium Dive Academy Instructor.

Real Job: Mechanical Engineer

Personal Passions: Family & teaching scuba diving

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Skiing, Flying, Motorcycles, Traveling

Favorite Food: Pizza & Mexican Food

Favorite Dive Location: Anywhere it is Wet!

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

AnnaMaria

Role at A-1: Instructor and Professional Recreator

Real Job: Independent Distributor at AdvoCare

Diving Credentials: Instructor, Dive Guide at Denver Aquarium, Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Handicapped Scuba Association Instructor and DAN DEMP Instructor

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

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

Favorite Food: Sushi, Mexican food & Wine

Favorite Dive Location: Cozumel, Little Cayman, Bonaire & Fiji

Bill T

Role at A-1: Dive Guide at the Downtown Aquarium, Service Technician, Scuba Instructor

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!

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

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

Favorite 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!

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!!

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: 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?

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.”

Stacie

Role at A-1: Instructor

Real Job: Licensed Clinical Social Worker in a private psychotherapy practice.

Diving Credentials: AAI Advanced Open Water Instructor, DAN DEMP Instructor, Handicapped Scuba Association Instructor

Personal Passions: The privilege of helping others as a social worker, the outdoors and all that Colorado has to offer and of course DIVING!

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Hiking, fishing, working out, reading, music

Favorite Food: Indian and Mexican, but anything delicious!

Favorite Dive Location: Cozumel.

Steve

Role at A-1: Instructor

Real Job: Economic Development/Urban Renewal for the City of Wheat Ridge

Diving Credentials: DAN DEMP, Instructor, Enriched Air

Personal passions: I enjoy working and teaching and getting others excited about the undersea world.

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: You mean there are other things besides diving? I’m a curious person, as you can see by the look in my picture. I love trying new things. You’ll find me, golfing, remodeling and woodworking, hiking, and finding the gem of dining in Denver.

Favorite food: I love to cook and experiment with food. I love it all.

Favorite Dive Location: Cozumel is just so convenient and great diving, then it’s the Philippines followed by the Caribbean. Other than that, my favorite place is “the next dive trip location.”

Todd H

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

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

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

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!

Mitzi

Role at A-1: Education Department Coordinator, Scuba Instructor

Diving Credentials: SSI Instructor, Handicapped Scuba Association Instructor, PADI MSDT, DAN DFA Pro Instructor

Personal Passions: Getting people excited about or reconnected with the outdoors, providing environmental education, and spearfishing invasive lionfish.

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Riding my motorcycle, cooking, camping, swimming, traveling, and video games.

Favorite Food: Nachos – specifically my Philly cheese steak nachos with horseradish cheddar cheese. In general, if there are nachos, I’m eating them.

Favorite Dive Location: So far, Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve in southern Belize. Lots of places yet to discover.

Kayce

Role at A-1: SSI Instructor and Retail Specialist

Personal Passions: Coral reef restoration, cleaning our oceans, and saving the planet one straw at a time

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Hiking, snowboarding, weightlifting, and yoga

Favorite Food: All the food…but mostly pizza

Favorite Dive Location: So far diving in the British Virgin Islands is my favorite, but I can’t wait to get more locations under my belt and discover more of our beautiful underwater world.

Andrew Hurry

Role at A-1: Instructor

Diving Credentials: SSI Open Water Instructor

Personal Passions: Having fun and making sure others around have fun, and spreading the work that Sharks need our protection.

Non-Diving Activities: Road biking, golf and mentoring my kids school robotics program.

Favorite Food: Sushi …. no …. dim sum….. no …..sushi….. no …. BOTH.

Favorite Dive Location: Difficult choice between Manta Rays in Kona, Drift diving in Cozumel or Wall diving in Grand Cayman

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.

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

Chelsea

Role at A-1: Dive Guide at the Downtown Aquarium

Diving Credentials: Assistant Instructor and Volunteer Diver at Denver Aquarium

Real Job: Entrepreneur Extraordinaire. I own a company that manages virtual sales and support teams. We believe in greater success through collaboration! Our motto is: Success requires three bones – wishbone, backbone & funnybone!

Personal passions: Travel and Diving. The two go hand in hand don’t they? Love everything about travel, from the journey to the destination and especially getting outside the ordinary. And what’s more off the beaten path than jumping off the boat?

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Hiking – I summit a new 14’er every year, aerial arts, cruiser bike rides, reading in hammocks, and cooking ambitious ethnic dishes for fun (so at least my taste buds can travel when I can’t).

Favorite food: Seafood (sustainably caught only of course). I get hungry when I dive….Shhhh, don’t tell the fish!

Favorite Dive Location: Hawaii in a heartbeat <3

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

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

Bruce

Role at A-1: HSA dive buddy

Real Job: Service engineer on diagnostic X-ray equipment

Diving Credentials: Divemaster, HSA dive buddy

Personal Passions: Grandkids, diving, cars

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

Favorite Food: Everything

Favorite Dive Location: Cozumel

Joe

Diving Credentials: Divemaster

Years of diving: Joe has been certified since the year 2000.

Personal passions: Joe loves his wife Kathy who is an expert diver, his kids, grandkids, and dog Chester.

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Joe is retired and does part-time teaching for Colorado Community Colleges Online. He loves long distance running and does a marathon each year. His Dog Chester is his favorite running partner and is great at the Dock Dogs “Big Air” competition. Joe is a beekeeper and plays tennis and golf.

Favorite food: Pizza and ice cream. More ice cream please!

Favorite Dive Location: Joe and Kathy go to Cozumel each year. It’s the best. But he has also dived Lake Pueblo, Vancouver Island, Hawaii, Florida, North Carolina, and many other locations. A thrill was abalone free diving at Fort Bragg, CA.

Eric J

Role at A-1: Divemaster, 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

Brian

Role at A-1: Service technician, Divemaster

Personal Passions: Scuba diving, ocean and global conservation and consciousness

Non-Diving Activities: bass playing, song writing, snowboarding and family

Favorite Food: Ethiopian

Favorite Dive Location: Columbia deep and Punta Sur

Serene

Diving Credentials: Divemaster, 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: SSI Divemaster , 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

Jill

Roll at A-1: Divemaster

Real Job: High School Math Teacher

Personal Passions: I love being outdoors, whether it is in the water, in the snow or on a trail.

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Skiing, camping, swimming and traveling.

Favorite Food: A nice, crisp apple!

Favorite Dive Location: I have not found on that I did not like yet!

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!

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

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

Butch

Role at A-1: Instructor Trainer and Instructor

Diving Credentials: Instructor Trainer, DAN DEMP Instructor, A-1 Scuba Dive Guide at the Denver Aquarium, Denver Aquarium Dive Academy Instructor.

Real Job: Mechanical Engineer

Personal Passions: Family & teaching scuba diving

Favorite Non-Diving Activities: Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Skiing, Flying, Motorcycles, Traveling

Favorite Food: Pizza & Mexican Food

Favorite Dive Location: Anywhere it is Wet!

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

AnnaMaria

Role at A-1: Instructor and Professional Recreator

Real Job: Independent Distributor at AdvoCare

Diving Credentials: Instructor, Dive Guide at Denver Aquarium, Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Handicapped Scuba Association Instructor and DAN DEMP Instructor

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

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

Favorite Food: Sushi, Mexican food & Wine

Favorite Dive Location: Cozumel, Little Cayman, Bonaire & Fiji

Bill T

Role at A-1: Dive Guide at the Downtown Aquarium, Service Technician, Scuba Instructor

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!

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

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

Favorite 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!

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: Downtown Aquarium Dive Program Manager and A-1 Instructor

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

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

Chelsea

Role at A-1: Dive Guide at the Downtown Aquarium

Diving Credentials: Assistant Instructor and Volunteer Diver at Denver Aquarium

Favorite food: Seafood (sustainably caught only of course). I get hungry when I dive….Shhhh, don’t tell the fish!

Favorite Dive Location: Hawaii in a heartbeat <3

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

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!

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.