AKA: I spent 22 years teaching high school chemistry and biochemistry in the Hillsboro School District. I changed careers to work at the world’s largest scientific society, The American Chemical Society, in Washington D.C. While there I worked on public outreach, writing and publishing magazines and textbooks, and teacher education programs. After 12 years I retired and moved back to Oregon. 

Why I Became A Dive Buddy: I’ve committed most of my life to teaching and helping others, so to some extend becoming an adaptive dive buddy was an extension of what I’ve always done. I also like technical challenges and learning new dive skills necessary to help others was a great way for me to progress as well. And finally, my greatest joy was being able to assist my wife in her effort to become a certified diver. She was never able to overcome stress trauma to become an open water diver, but with the help of SAFE she is now a successful adaptive diver and my dive buddy for life. 

Favorite Place To Dive: My favorite warm water site is the Cayman Islands. The diving is great, but the general population of the Caymans are so amazingly friendly that it feels like everyone is your long time best friend. Porpoise Bay, BC Canada is my favorite for the Pacific Northwest. The diving is varied and spectacular and the unique dive operation is like no other.