Eugene Skin Divers Supply, Eugene, Oregon

Our Staff Meet our highly trained staff. ROLLOVER photos for their personal biographies.
Michael Hollingshead: Padi Instructor since 1978 I grew up in the diving business. My parents were involved in the industry when I was born and I grew up in the store as my Mother ran the shop while my Dad worked another job. I started diving in pools at the age of 4 with my father and started Open Water diving with him when I was 6 years old. My whole life has centered around diving. I have traveled to many exotic dive locations and have enjoyed them very much, but my favorite type of diving is here in the Northwest. I became a PADI Instructor in 1978, even though I no longer regularly teach I do keep myself current and up to date with the new changes so that I can stay involved with my teaching staff. Michael Hollingshead Owner / Manager / PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer / Master Service Technician
John Temple Assistant Manager / Equipment Technician / Travel Director John Temple: Started Diving in 1977; 1982 passed I.T.C. at PADI College in San Diego; Has certified over 1500 Divers Being a part of ESDS for so long has given me countless opportunities: meeting thousands of people on a recreational basis, helping them achieve their goals, and experience our awesome Underwater World! I’ve taken groups of divers too far away locations including Vancouver Island, BC, San Juan Islands in Washington, California's Channel Islands, Cozumel, Belize, Bonaire, Roatan, Tahiti, Australia, New Zealand, and most recently Palau.
Ed Rogers: Started diving in 1985. Became an Instructor in 1988. Certified over 1200 students. My primary function at ESDE is that of Service Technician, working on all brands of regulators, BC's and tanks. I enjoy diving the Northwest, mainly because of the diversity of marine life and the challenge - and knowing that Northwest Divers are the BEST! Ed Rogers Master Service Technician / PADI IDC Staff Instructor
Ron Vearrier PADI Course Director / Director of the Ron Vearrier: My life is SCUBA. 1993 Received Instructor Rating with PADI 1995 – Joined ESDS staff 1998 – Certified PADI Course Director Certified well over 1600 students from open-water up through Instructor I challenge each of my students to be strong, responsible and safe. I have a passion for the sport, which shows in every classroom session, every pool session and every check out weekend. University of Oregon SCUBA Program
Diana Hollingshead Sales Representative / PADI IDC Staff InstructorDiana Hollingshead: 1992 – Started Diving; Certified through the U of O SCUBA program; 1997 – Became Staff Instructor at ESDS My favorite diving is right here in the Pacific Northwest. In 2000, I wrote the PADI Habitat Diver Specialty for the Oregon Coast Aquarium to train volunteer divers for the Aquarium. / PADI Habitat Instructor for the Oregon Coast Aquarium
Mike Allen I have been diving with ESDS since 1989 and became a Staff Instructor in 1997. I slowly worked my way up to higher levels of certification until I decided that teaching others to dive was something that I really enjoyed doing. This allowed me to gain valuable experience as a diver prior to beginning my instructor career. Since becoming an instructor, I have continued my education and currently hold an IDC Staff Instructor rating. I have been diving all over the Northwest and California and have been fortunate enough to travel to some tropical destinations such as Hawaii and the Caribbean. I hope to be able to travel to the South Pacific in the near future. My favorite diving would have to be Night Diving since it allows you to focus in on things that are only in reach of your light. Night Diving ROCKS! Outside of diving, I have worked for Mckenzie-Willamette Hospital for 9 years as a Systems Analyst.Mike Allen PADI Course Director
Jake Andreason PADI Master Instructor & Digital Underwater Photography Instructor 1995 - open water certified; 1996 - Certified PADI instructor; 2008 - certified to dive a closed circuit rebreather Currently I am one of the lead instructors at the University of Oregon and IDC training and I am working on obtaining my instructor rating for the ADP Evolution CCR.
Brian Cochran PADI Open Water Scuba InstructorBrian Cochran: 1999 - Open Water Certification 2000 – Certified Rescue Diver 2001 – PADI Open Water Instructor All of the courses I’ve taken have deepened my passion for diving. I guess teaching others about the adventure that life has to offer has become my calling. I hope to see you in the water someday soon!
Matt Fackler PADI Open Water Scuba InstructorMatt Fackler: 2006 - Open Water Certification 2008 – PADI Open Water Instructor I have been diving for almost 5 years and instructing for 3 years, I teach mostly for the Lane Community College program but I help out many other instructors when they need a hand. I really enjoy the teaching aspects of Scuba diving and taking someone who has no experience and teaching them in a fun environment; to be a safe and confident diver who will enjoy diving for many years, come blow bubbles with us!
Chris GreenChris Green: 2001 - Open Water Certified I was openwater certified in 1992 in Southern California. I spent the next few years shore diving off the coast of California and Catalina in search of lobster and spearfishing. I enrolled in the LCC Scuba program with my son as his buddy, and have been going great guns ever since. I am the president of the Lane County Sheriff's Dive team and a Public Safety diving instructor for both PADI and PSDA. I am also a volunteer diver at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, and a Habitat Instructor for the Aquarium. I also specialize in full face mask diving and full face specialty. PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer / Habitat Instructor / Public Safety Diver Instructor
Don Heer: 1996 – Open Water Certified 1999 –Became a Dive Master 2000 – Open Water Instructor Currently head instructor of the Lane Community College SCUBA program. My family has always been divers. My uncle who had the greatest effect on my life worked with Jacques Cousteau building some of the first underwater camera housings. I have gained a wealth of experience in our local diving areas both fresh and salt water, and decided that I wanted to help others enjoy diving as much as I did. Don Heer PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor / Director of Lane Community College Program
Troy KnabeTroy Knabe: 2004 - Open Water Certified I started diving 7 years ago, when my 9 year old son announced that he wanted to learn. For the first few years our diving was mostly hunting crab in the jetty and a couple of trips to Hawaii. Since then it has truly become a family endeavor and the focus of most of our recreational time together. When my son started high school I switched from coaching his sports teams to teaching as instructor with ESDS and I love every minute of it. Scuba is an activity that we can do as a family now, and in the years to come. PADI IDC Staff Instructor
Roald List Roald List: 1999 – Open Water Certified 2000 – Dive Master Certification 2002 – Instructor Certification So far, I have dove numerous times in Cozumel, Hawaii, California, Washington, and Oregon, but I am still waiting for the opportunity to dive new places. I would especially like to dive more in the tropics because there is nothing like the water there!PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor
Joe McCoy I’ve always had a fascination of water. More specifically, I always wanted to go underwater to see what was under there. My parents had a hard time keeping me out of the water as a child. In the early 90’s, I worked my way through numerous levels of certifications. What I most enjoy today is teaching or sharing this fantastic sport with others. I look forward to meeting new students and making friends with every opportunity. I’ve been able to dive in a few locations outside the Northwest (truly awesome). Outside of diving, I like to spend time with my family. My Wife (Janell) and Daughter (Megan) have always supported my passion for diving. I look forward to the day my daughter will get certified and will become daddy's dive buddy. Beyond family and diving, I stay busy with a career in the Tech Industry. If your ever looking for an opportunity to dive, please feel free to contact me. Joe McCoy PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer

Margaret McKenney PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer Margaret McKenney: 1986 - Open Water certification; 1988 – Dive Master Certification; 1989 – Master SCUBA Diver Certification; 1993 - Scuba Instructor; 1997 - Master Scuba Diver Trainer. Trained over 1000 certified divers; Logged over 2500 dives As my "day job" consists of supervising programs in an indoor swimming pool, it's only natural for me to combine my love of SCUBA diving and years of swim teaching, something I have been doing over 15 years now! I am able to offer Weekend Open Water classes through River Road pool, as well as can also provide SASY/SCUBA introductions for age 5 on up.
Cressey Merrill: 1997 – started Diving 1998 Open Water Certification 1999 – Staff Instructor 2000 - teaching SCUBA at OSU, LBCC 2001 – Worked with ESDS to teach my LBCC program. 2002 - Started teaching the OSU program for ESDS. Now all I do is teach SCUBA. I am busy teaching at OSU, LBCC, or at Osborne Aquatic Center in CorvallisCressey Merrill PADI IDC Staff Instructor / Director of Oregon State University SCUBA Program / LBCC Program