Meet the Team

Bringing his extensive experience and concern for safety, Captain Jon has taught several hundred student divers from ages 10 to 82 how to enjoy scuba diving and make it a lifelong endeavor. He started scuba diving when he was 9 years old and earned his PADI Junior Openwater certification at age 11. At age 16 he earned his PADI Advanced Openwater certification and joined the Destin Search and Recovery Team, a volunteer Public Safety Dive Team affiliated with the Destin Fire Department. He later became a full-time Deputy with the Sheriff's Office, tasked with running the Sheriff’s Office Underwater Investigation Unit and did so until he retired in 2011. In retirement, Captain Jon continues to teach SCUBA, Snorkel Squad, and his latest passion - Mermaiding. This opens up new ways to share the underwater world with more people- both young and old. Capt. Jon’s hope is to create a passion for the oceans, rivers, lakes and waterways of our planet in as many people as he can reach. If he can do that, he knows that each and every one he reaches will develop a passion to protect our planet’s waters