Meet The Team
Meet the dedicated team at Inland Water Divers, committed to making every diving adventure safe and exhilarating.
Instructors
Marcus
Marcus has been a NAUI Scuba Instructor since 2017 and is currently working toward becoming a NAUI Instructor Trainer. He is also a certified NAUI Rebreather Diver with a strong commitment to continuing education and diver safety. Marcus first discovered diving while serving in the United States Marine Corps and stationed in California. After his honorable discharge, he relocated to Arizona, where he continued advancing his dive training and professional development with Inland Water Divers.
Students appreciate Marcus for his calm, patient, and confident teaching style. He sets high standards while creating a supportive learning environment that helps students build skill and confidence underwater. Marcus firmly believes that every student can succeed with the right guidance, encouragement, and commitment to safety. His training style emphasizes strong foundational skills, situational awareness, and safe diving practices to help create competent and confident divers.
In 2018, Marcus received a Lifesaving Award for his actions during a dive emergency involving another diver facing serious, unforeseen challenges underwater. Without hesitation, Marcus put his own safety at risk to help save another person’s life. This experience continues to shape his approach to dive education and reinforces why safety, preparation, and emergency training are always prioritized in every class and dive trip. He often shares this story with students to help emphasize the real-world importance of proper training and teamwork underwater.
Outside of teaching, Marcus enjoys traveling and leading dive trips to destinations around the world, helping divers gain experience, confidence, and unforgettable memories.
Diana
Diana has been a NAUI Scuba Instructor since 2023.
She began her scuba journey in 2020, and what started as curiosity quickly grew into a true passion for diving, travel, education, and adventure. After completing her Open Water and Advanced certifications early on to prepare for a large animal liveaboard trip, Diana continued training almost nonstop and quickly advanced through leadership and professional-level courses.
As both a scuba instructor and Registered Nurse, Diana brings a unique combination of healthcare knowledge, emergency management experience, and encouragement to every class she teaches. She enjoys helping students build confidence, overcome challenges, and become safe, knowledgeable divers while still making training enjoyable and approachable.
Scuba diving also sparked Diana’s love for travel and underwater exploration. She has traveled to destinations including the Socorro Islands aboard an Aggressor Liveaboard, Turks and Caicos, Belize, and multiple liveaboard adventures throughout the Bahamas. While Blackbeard’s Cruises held the top spot for several years thanks to its fun “salty pirate adventure” atmosphere, her current favorite liveaboard experience is the All Star Aqua Cat in the Bahamas. She enjoys leading dive trips, mentoring divers, and sharing her love for adventure both above and below the surface.
Diana
Diana has been a NAUI Scuba Instructor since 2023.
She began her scuba journey in 2020, and what started as curiosity quickly grew into a true passion for diving, travel, education, and adventure. After completing her Open Water and Advanced certifications early on to prepare for a large animal liveaboard trip, Diana continued training almost nonstop and quickly advanced through leadership and professional-level courses.
As both a scuba instructor and Registered Nurse, Diana brings a unique combination of healthcare knowledge, emergency management experience, and encouragement to every class she teaches. She enjoys helping students build confidence, overcome challenges, and become safe, knowledgeable divers while still making training enjoyable and approachable.
Scuba diving also sparked Diana’s love for travel and underwater exploration. She has traveled to destinations including the Socorro Islands aboard an Aggressor Liveaboard, Turks and Caicos, Belize, and multiple liveaboard adventures throughout the Bahamas. While Blackbeard’s Cruises held the top spot for several years thanks to its fun “salty pirate adventure” atmosphere, her current favorite liveaboard experience is the All Star Aqua Cat in the Bahamas. She enjoys leading dive trips, mentoring divers, and sharing her love for adventure both above and below the surface.
Mike S.
Mike has been diving since he was 18 years old. After becoming Open Water certified, he went to a commercial dive school and then worked commercially diving in inland waters across the USA. After that, he dove recreationally for several years and then became a NAUI Scuba Instructor in 2023.
Over the years, diving has taken him through many different experiences both professionally and recreationally, helping him develop a strong background in dive operations, instruction, and underwater exploration. In addition to scuba diving, Mike is also an experienced freediver and enjoys spearfishing whenever he has the opportunity.
Mike has spent time working in the Bahamas in multiple roles, including engineer, Divemaster, and instructor, giving him a wide range of real-world experience throughout the dive industry.
From maintaining equipment and supporting operations behind the scenes to teaching divers in the water, he has truly worn just about every hat along the way.
Known for his calm and easygoing teaching style, Mike creates a relaxed learning environment while sharing a tremendous amount of dive knowledge and experience with his students. He recently returned from the Bahamas and is excited to once again be teaching and diving alongside the team at Inland Water Divers.
Dive Master Candidates
Alex
Alex is an avid diver with a strong background in information technology and a growing dedication to the diving community. As a Divemaster Candidate and technician, he combines technical problem-solving skills with a calm, approachable attitude both in and out of the water. Alex enjoys helping new divers build confidence while also supporting more experienced divers through training, equipment assistance, and dive operations.
Known for his patience, reliability, and positive attitude, Alex is committed to creating a safe and enjoyable learning environment for everyone he works with. Whether assisting during classes, helping troubleshoot gear issues, or supporting dive trips and local events, he is always eager to continue learning and growing within the dive industry. His enthusiasm for diving and willingness to help others make every experience both fun and rewarding for students and certified divers alike.
Todd
Todd is a military veteran with a longtime love for scuba diving and the diving community. Known for his easygoing personality and love for being underwater, Todd enjoys sharing both his knowledge and enthusiasm for diving with others. Whether assisting new divers, supporting classes, or exploring beneath the surface, he brings a calm and encouraging presence to every dive experience.
As many of his friends say, Todd simply loves diving, and that is easy to see both in and out of the water. He enjoys helping others build confidence, gain experience, and discover the adventure and freedom that scuba diving offers.
Technicians
Bodie
Bodie was drawn to scuba diving for many reasons, but one of the things he enjoys most is the incredible community that comes with it. He appreciates the opportunity to meet interesting people, hear their stories, and share in the adventures that diving creates. With a lifelong background in information technology and automotive mechanics, Bodie is especially fascinated by the equipment and technology that allow divers to safely explore the underwater world and experience something truly extraordinary.
Now also a certified Rescue Diver, Bodie has continued expanding both his dive knowledge and skillset while strengthening his commitment to diver safety and preparedness. His technical mindset, problem-solving abilities, and attention to detail make him a valuable part of the team at Inland Water Divers. Bodie enjoys providing technical support, assisting with equipment needs, and helping the shop continue to grow and thrive while supporting the local diving community.
Mike
Mike has been a certified scuba diver since 2013 and holds Advanced and Nitrox certifications through NAUI. He has completed specialized training in scuba equipment servicing, including the Sherwood Scuba Service Clinic and cylinder inspection training. With a strong interest in dive equipment and maintenance, Mike enjoys helping divers better understand and care for their gear while assisting with equipment servicing and inspections. His technical knowledge, attention to detail, and dependable nature make him a great resource.
Contact
(623) 882-9060
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