NAUI Worldwide Mark A. Flahan

Search NAUI

About Us

	Mark A. Flahan
	NAUI #41837 6484 Mt. Adelbert Dr. San Diego, CA 92111 619-594-3597 Work 619-594-7301 Fax Click To Email

Return To Candidates Main Page

Biosketch

I was born into a NAUI household and brought-up with the NAUI motto “safety through education”, the traditions of NAUI Membership and the importance of maintaining the highest quality superior underwater instructor training program in the world. My family lives and breathes NAUI. My father, active in NAUI for 40 years, including sixteen years on the Board, has provided me a unique perspective and understanding of the NAUI culture, philosophy and rich history of NAUI and NAUI’s relationships within the diving industry.

I was first certified as a NAUI Diver at age 12, earned my NAUI Instructor certificate at age 18 and became an Instructor Trainer at age 21. I actively teach all levels, Scuba Diver through Instructor at San Diego State University, where for 5 years I served as an assistant to the Diving Safety Officer. I have experience in both retail and educational settings. I have served as President of the Aztec Dive Club.

I have volunteered many hours in support of NAUI and been fortunate enough to meet many NAUI members at NAUI Annual General Membership Meetings, DEMA and industry functions. I am familiar with Board Members and Senior Headquarters Staff.

My college degree is in Geography. I work with the first responder community in San Diego, performing computer analysis, developing detailed maps and evaluating new technologies.

I represent a new generation of NAUI Instructors grounded in the traditional NAUI but eager to move forward embracing modern technologies ensuring the continuing luster of NAUI.

Position Statement

If elected to the NAUI Board of Directors, I would bring a perspective developed from growing-up in a NAUI household, raised with respect and understanding of NAUI’s values and traditions and an eagerness to share and learn from experienced Board Members ensuring continuity of NAUI’s success into the next 50 years.
I propose the Board establish an Electronic Media Committee to evaluate and implement new technologies to better communicate with the membership, solicit member input, facilitate member-to-member communications and utilize social networking.
NAUI’s web site must be state-of-art, regularly updated and user friendly.
I will work hard to create an attitude and environment where NAUI Members can make a fulltime, lifetime career from NAUI diving instruction while earning a living wage.
The Awards Committee should do a better job recognizing and acknowledging NAUI Members for their service.
I will advocate for imprinting member loyalty on future generations of NAUI Members ensuring the core values, which have maintained NAUI as the premier diving instructional agency, continue.
The Board must commit resources into branding NAUI worldwide.
When making decisions that shape and guide NAUI’s future, the Board must respect NAUI’s 50-year history, global reach and motto of “safety through education”.
I will work with fellow Board Members to develop strategic plans consistent with NAUI’s mission and update it regularly.
I have a positive working relationship with several Board Members, NAUI’s President, and Headquarters Staff and would work effectively as a NAUI team.

Answers To The BOD Election Questions

Question #1.

For NAUI diving certification to be the most sought after certification in the world. Short-term, recognizing NAUI’s international nature, would be to bring together the NAUI family of instructors through improved communication and social networking allowing for the free flow of information and ideas that will help grow the NAUI brand, increase our membership and attract new divers worldwide.

Question #2.

I am team oriented but not afraid to take charge when appropriate and not hesitant in making difficult decisions when necessary. I am able to hear both sides in a discussion and have the patience and attitude to bring differing viewpoints together and negotiate a common decision. I solicit input from others to be better informed and make sound decisions. I have the personality and ability to motivate others.

Question #3.

My family has a forty-year career teaching NAUI courses. The problem is career opportunities are limited. The industry needs to recognize that instructors and retailers are the keys to the success of the diving industry. The experience the instructor provides determines the diver’s long-time commitment to diving and subsequent purchase of equipment, travel, training and services. NAUI Instructors provide a superior educational experience that positively impacts the bottom line. NAUI must 1) create an awareness of the value of the full-time career oriented NAUI instructor to the bottom line, 2) better train NAUI members as professionals working with retailers and stakeholders to create full-time career opportunities, 3) impart to its newest members an attitude toward a career in diving instruction.

^Top