Instructor

Dion

Dion is the original owner of Ski/Scuba Center. She began diving in 1976 and in 1977 opened the dive shop.

She received her PADI Instructors in 1988, and Master Scuba Diver Trainer in 1990.

In 2004, Dion became an SSI Scuba Ranger Instructor, and not long afterward became an SSI Scuba Instructor and Dive Control Instructor. In 2007 Dion was honored to receive SSI Platinum Pro 5000 Instructor and Platinum Pro 5000 Diver.  In 2013, received the SSI Gold 500 Instructor. Dion still helps Jimmie with classes, works in the shop part-time and fills in as needed teaching courses and leading shop trips.

Dion’s favorite pastime is spending time with her three children, four grandchildren and traveling with her husband Don “Duck” (Some you will know him from the Quarry as the cook of the “Ducky Dogs”).

Dive Control Specialist

Bill

Bill was certified PADI in 1980. It was not until he convinced his wife to certify in 1998 that he actively pursued a diving career. Between 1998 and 2000, he certified with PADI as an Advanced Diver, Night Diver, Equipment Specialist, Rescue Diver and finally his Dive Master. When Ski/Scuba became SSI, he pursued the same diving level and finally reaching Dive Control Specialist in 2010. Local diving includes quarries, lakes, and rivers and several trips to Florida. Trips to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Monterrey Bay, San Salvador, the Tortugas, Roatan, and the Bahamas help round out his experiences. He enjoys teaching Try Scuba and of course diving with students on Open Water days.

Instructor- SCUBA/Freediving/Mermaid

Joseph

Joseph joined the Ski/Scuba team after moving to Knoxville from Colorado. He was originally certified back in 2010 and says diving Belize has been by far his favorite. Other memorable diving includes Jamaica, Cozumel and the cenotes around Tulum, Mexico as well as freshwater diving in Colorado, Flordia, Illinois, New Mexico, and of course Tennessee.

Joseph is also our resident Freediver. Trained by Nick Fazah, SSI Freediving International Training Director, freediving certifications include Level 1 Freediving Instructor and Mermaid Instructor.

While not diving or working at the shop, Joseph can be found mountain biking, camping or just enjoying all that the Great Smoky Mountains have to offer.

Dive Control Specialist

Kirk

Kirk began his dive career in 2012 when he became Open Water Certified through IDEA.

His certifications now include Openwater, Advanced, Search & Recovery, Navigation, Night/Low Visibility, Deep Diving, Nitrox, Stress & Rescue, Science of Diving, Equipment Techniques, React Right, Dive Guide, Divemaster, and is currently a Dive Control Specialist.

He’s enjoyed getting to dive in the Florida Springs, Gulf of Mexico, the Florida Keys, Grand Cayman, Bonaire, St. Croix, and Cozumel, along with an assortment of quarries throughout the south.

Instructor

Don

Don is an NAUI and SSI Instructor with decades of diving experience, particularly in the Flordia springs and the Keys. In addition to helping out with classes at Ski/Scuba, Don runs the Scuba program at the University of Tennessee instructing upwards of 150 students a semester!

When he’s not diving or teaching diving, Don enjoys camping and spending time on the surface of the water fishing with his grandkids.

Shop Staff

Taylor

Taylor began diving in 2018 to satisfy a college P.E. credit required for her major and has been diving ever since. She is attending the University of Tennessee, majoring in Kinesiology and a part of the Marine Corps PLC program. She now holds a Master Diver certification through NAUI and is currently a Dive Master candidate. Most of her diving has been in the salt waters of the Florida Keys and other parts of Florida.

When not diving Taylor can be found hiking, climbing, or at the lake. She enjoys spontaneous trips to the Smokies and time (out of the water) with her SCUBA family.

Instructor & Asst. Instructor

Chris & Kim

Chris and Kim first got certified here with Ski/Scuba back in 2013 and have been hooked ever since. After logging over 100 dives in their first year as certified divers they decided they’d like to help out with the training programs and so started down the Dive professional path. Chris is now an Advanced Open Water Instructor and Kim is an Asst. Instructor and they help out teaching everything from Try Scuba to full diver training as well as open water certification dives.

When not underwater (either with training or on just about every one of our awesome trips!) they are huge Disney fanatics and love visiting the Disney parks. And, of course, cheering on the VOLS!

SHOP STAFF

Hunter

Hunter is the newest member of our team but is no stranger to the world of scuba. He began diving in 2017 at the University of Tennessee with Don Orr. Hunter is now an NAUI certified instructor and was certified as an SSI freediver with our shop. He has been diving in the sunny Keys of Florida, Vortex Springs, and our local quarries. In the Keys, Hunter is known for attracting the sharks because he is often spear-fishing between dives.

Outside of scuba, you can find Hunter fly fishing in the mountains, duck and deer hunting in season, and snorkeling Little River.