Fort Collins, CO. Scuba Schools International (SSI), the premier education and business support company applauds the 2008 SSI Platinum Pro5000 Divers & Instructors. These individuals can be defined as the world’s most elite water explorers. The list of cardholders is a “who’s who” of diving, containing the world’s most prominent dive leaders, scientists, photographers, manufacturers, retailers, and resort operators.
What makes the award so special is that it’s all about diving. The unsung dive master on any island and Jacques Cousteau earned their cards the same way—by diving 5,000 times, or diving 2,500 times and making a documented / significant contribution to the recreational scuba diving industry. The Platinum Pro5000 card cannot be purchased. Individuals must apply for the award and be recommended in writing by two Platinum Pros.
The 2008 Platinum Pro 5000 Diver inductees are:
John Akins, USA
Dan Badgley, USA
Luca Barbieri, Italy
Tiziana Barni, Italy
Tom Bartley, USA
Paulo Guilherme A. Cajalanti, Brazil
Ronald Carlo, USA
Salvatore Catania, Italy
Alberto Catinelli, Egypt
Jimmy Choo, Singapore
Mauro Cicerchia, Italy
Thomas E. Clark, USA
Dee Covert, USA
Serge De Groote, Bonaire
Gabriele Del Duca, Italy
Anna DeLoach. USA
Koen De Wit, Thailand
Michael Eversmier, USA
Mark Fowler, USA
Julio Cesar Francia, Spain
Joseph T. Giacinto Virgin, Gorda
Gary Hawkes, Thailand
David Hinkle, USA
Hershell Lamar Hires, USA
Tom Hopkins, USA
Robert F. Huff, USA
Richard J. "Dick” Hurlbut, Philippines
James Ikerd, USA
Tom Ingram, USA
Jim Johnson, USA
Rob Keersmaekers, Belgium
Clarence Kugelberg, Thailand
Debborah Lecocq, USA
Samuel Lecocq, USA
Capt.Gary Mace, USA
Mike McCrory, USA
David J. McKenney, USA
Ronald Menke, USA
Harold W. Moose Jr., USA
Kevin Morgan, Thailand
Michael Musto, USA
Flavio Olmeda, Italy
Stephen D. Phillips, USA
Gabor Pichler, Hungary
Jerry L. Portwood, USA
Jean Pierre Prina, Vietnam
Diane Richards, USA
Jim Richards, USA
Britt Ross, USA
Thomas Smedley, USA
Matee Srisawat, Thailand
Jess Loren Stark, USA
Ronald "Rogest" Steven, Canada
Gary Taylor, USA
Stefano Terribile, Italy
Peter Uhrovcsik, Austria
Steven M. Weaver, USA
Kathy A. Weydig, USA
Curtis Wiessner, USA
Cristina Zenato, Bahamas
Eric Zwanenburg, Mexico
The 2008 Platinum Pro 5000 Instructor inductees are:
Eric V. Keibler, USA
Forrest L. Phillips, USA
Thomas P. Sinel, Canada
Mark A. Tant, USA
Steven L. Woerner, USA
Ronny Kain, Germany
Oliver Lutz, Germany
Jesus Corzo Caballes, Spain
Herman Van Leeuwen, Spain
We feel proud and privileged to acknowledge their accomplishments.