Whenever NAUI conducts Leadership Training, the discussion quickly turns to the organization’s values, particularly its commitment to offering the “highest quality leadership and instructor training possible.” This dedication and the answer to the question, “Why NAUI?” were recently brought to life in a recent event—the NAUI Southeast Leadership Conference.
Organized by David Caldwell, NAUI’s Eastern Canada and Northeast United States Representative, this training evolution seamlessly blended in-person instruction with virtual workshops. The virtual component featured presentations and evaluations by NAUI Services Group staff members, NAUI members, and subject matter experts worldwide. Participants and presenters came together from three continents and four countries, covering a wide spectrum of diving expertise, including recreational, technical, and public safety diving.
The conference brought together a prestigious list of professionals. NAUI Services Group leadership was well represented, including:
- CEO Cliff Richardson
- Vice President of Global Sales Angelo Fiore
- Vice President of Member Services Beth Postell
Additionally, several territorial representatives, such as Andy Olday (Florida and the Caribbean), Daniel Millikovsky (South America), and Catalina Rodriguez (Central America), played active roles.
NAUI members, both presenters and evaluators, brought their wealth of knowledge to the table. These included:
- David Ochs – Owner of Aqua Safari in West Palm Beach, Florida & Past member of NAUI’s Board of Directors.
- Frank Rakowski – Owner of SCUBA Connection in New Jersey.
- Heisen Chak – Ontario Underwater Council.
- Mark Criasia – Owner of M.A.I.S.I. Scuba in Milford, Massachusetts.
- Vin Malkoski – Marine Fisheries Biologist at the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries.
- George Mills – Owner of Divelogix Scuba Training and Support, Boynton Beach, Florida.
- Kim Malkoski – President of Boston Sea Rovers and Diving Safety Officer at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
- Elaine Li – Safety Director at the Ontario Underwater Council.
- Kreig Pinkham – from Waterfront Diving Center.
- Tony Lantrip – Senior Course Director with Louisville Dive Center.
- Chad Crick – Assistant commander & lead instructor with the Louisville Metro Police Dive Team.
- Dwight Thrailkill – Instructor Trainer with Louisville Dive Center.
- Dean Sturgeon – Commander of the Louisville Metro Police Dive Team.
- Kaycee Raney – Instructor Trainer Candidate with Louisville Dive Center.
- Rusty Davis – Director of Training at Louisville Dive Center (Myself).
Their expertise ranged from business and dive safety to legal aspects of the dive industry. Among the presenters were individuals such as Gareth Lock, author of Under Pressure: Diving Deeper with Human Factors, and Captain Patrick Michael DeCharles, an attorney specializing in admiralty and maritime law. Both delivered invaluable insights during the virtual sessions.
Following the virtual portion, in-person training sessions were held in Louisville, Kentucky, and West Palm Beach, Florida. These sessions included classroom instruction, confined water training, and open water dives to enhance the leadership skills of all attendees. In total, twenty-four dive professionals participated in the NAUI Southeast Leadership Conference, each contributing their own diverse experiences to create an enriching learning environment.
This event emphasizes NAUI’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of leadership and instructor training. It exemplifies how NAUI members continually invest in the future of diving by sharing their time, expertise, and passion. When asked, “Why NAUI?” I confidently point to the NAUI Southeast Leadership Conference as a shining example of why this organization stands apart.
