Briefly describe your job and your area of expertise.
My main responsibility is to provide a safe working environment for each person in the California Academy of Sciences’ dive program; this includes everything in house maintenance diving to field scientific research & collecting.  Dive program administration and development requires a broad range of expertise including a comprehensive understanding of liability and regulations, diver training, equipment and exhibit maintenance, volunteer coordination, and scientific diving.

What got you interested in becoming a Diving Safety Officer?
Originally I was really only interested in leaving my corporate job to travel the world, this turned into a passion for both diving and our natural environment.  After spending years as a traveling dive instructor, dive program administration was a natural progression for me.

What do you like most and least about your job?
The things I like most about my position are training divers, facilitating field research, and building a world-class dive program. Enforcing policy is my least favorite…unfortunately someone has to do it.

What college did you go to and what degree did you receive?
I received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from University of Colorado at Boulder Leeds School of Business.  I studied Marketing, Entrepreneurship, and Tourism.

What is your diving experience/certifications?
I became a certified diver in 2000 and continued to dive in different areas of the world.  I teach scientific divers and hold technical instructor certifications for multiple agencies and teach up to the trimix level. I’m also a 1st Aid, CPR, AED, and O2 Instructor Trainer. Other certifications include rebreather, cave, gas blending, and equipment service.

What influenced your job choice and when?
I made the decision to enter the dive industry while sitting on a recreational dive boat in Belize sometime in 2006.

Do you have pets at home? What and how many?
None, though I would really like to rescue a dog if only I could have one in my apartment!

Advice for someone wanting to go into your field.
Do not listen to pessimists; they will only hold you back.  Travel, work abroad, dive in many different environments.  Follow your passions, work hard, and stay hydrated!

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