Staff
Shop Staff
Owner, General Manager
Born in Cuba, Yasmany made his way to the United States during childhood. Yasmany began his diving career totally by accident. After having studied karate his entire life, one day he walked into The Scuba Company just to see what it was about. The rest is history. Yasmany took the plunge and went from the PADI Open Water Diver to Divemaster within a year. He didn’t stop there, moving from Divemaster to Instructor and finally to IDC Staff Instructor. Yasmany is absolutely enthralled with diving and loves to share this passion with prospective and current divers. In 2017 Yasmany obtained 300 certifications, making him a PADI Elite Instructor, the only PADI Elite Instructor in New Mexico. In 2018 he also was awarded PADI Pro of the year, diving with him will get you hooked…
yasmany@thescubaco.com
Travel Liaison and Coordinator
She has had a love for the ocean since she was a little girl, her life has been based around travel not work. That being said when The Scuba Company gave her the opportunity to help organize trips she jumped in head first. She runs a very organized work life and her personal trips have always had an air of organization with a tone of sightseeing and adventure along the way. She has her advanced certification and can’t get enough of the underwater world, so helping set the shop trips will let her live vicariously through you all and maybe sneak in on a trip or two with her new dive family.
lauren@thescubaco.com or travel@thescubaco.com
Assistant Manager
Working towards a Bachelor’s in Biology at UNM and hopes to combine her love for learning about the earth and her love for scuba diving. She first fell in love with diving at the Galapagos islands where she did her first ecological surveying trip and knew she had to continue with this amazing hobby. She loves exploring the outdoors both above and below water taking her dogs with me for all my adventures. She enjoys both the plants and animals of this world and they are her favorite subject to study.
lindsey@thescubaco.com
Operations Owner and Technician Manager
She started her love of scuba diving by following in the fin kicks of her father. From an early age, she was SNUBA diving and snorkeling faster than any barracuda she chased. In 2018, she was certified in open water in Jamaica. In 2019, she dove in the cenotes around Mexico and the reefs around Cozumel. But the diving in the 2022 Philippines trip with the Scuba Company was what changed her life forever. After experiencing such beautiful diversity and thrilling currents, all with the help of supportive new friends, she decided that she needed to make this her life every day. She is now working to be an instructor for the shop so that she can help others and introduce them to the joy she finds in this amazing sport.
jamiep@thescubaco.com
Hydrostatic Testing and Tank Specialist
Cipriano was a district manager for Home Depot before falling in love with Scuba a few years ago. With the joy of diving driving him, he shortly moved up in the PADI ladder and became an Assistant instructor helping future divers and is currently working on an Instructor certification. He is an expert in Cylinder inspections and Hydro testing tanks and if you ever want to laugh just have a few words with him and you will see the joy he brings to the team.
cipriano@thescubaco.com
Content Creator
With a family who loves to travel together, diving was a natural next step. Open Water certified and still in high school she loves the times she is able to escape to the ocean, a place she has always loved. A water baby stuck in a desert she loves anything to do with the water especially diving and getting to see a variety of aquatic life and habitats.
charleigh@thescubaco.com
Sales Associate
Ed grew up on Mount Desert Island, where Acadia National Park is located, off the coast of Maine. His childhood was spent surrounded by nature. He loves the ocean and exploring the outdoors. He is looking forward to learning more about the dive industry and helping you all dive as he pursues his acting career.
Tank Specialist and Sales Associate
Born in Denver, Colorado, raised in Phoenix, Arizona. That’s where I fell in love with water. Spending the rest of my life in search of the best Vitamin SEA!
Repair Technician
Hi there! Im a team member with passion for all things related to photography, travel, music, technology, and continuous learning. Whether im capturing the perfect shot, exploring new destinations, or delving into learning new skills or hobbies, I try to bring a creative spirit to everything I do. I spend most of my free time playing various musical instruments, improving on my photography and image editing, and diving into the world of video games. I'm excited to combine my diverse interets and skills to contribute to our team's success. Lets create and discover together!
Repair Technician
A veteran who is on the path to Dive Master for the calming aspects of diving.
Sales Associate
Bio Coming Soon.
Operations Designer
Bio Coming Soon.
mattm@thescubaco.com
Webmaster
Bio Coming Soon.
Shop Artist
Bio Coming Soon.
Instructors
Certification: PADI Course Director
Jay began diving 38 years ago in central Illinois. After spending many childhood years watching the “Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau”, it was just a matter of time before he would become a certified diver and explore the underwater realm for himself. Jay has had a wide range of diving experiences in both freshwater and marine ecosystems.
Jay has dove everything from muddy-brown lakes and rivers to the Atlantic, Pacific, and Caribbean oceans and Central America. Through all the dives, Jay has enjoyed the pristine beauty of life beneath the waves. His favorite dive destinations include Belize and Little Cayman.
Dives Logged: 1,000+
Most memorable dive: Diving with a fifty-foot humpback whale near the British West Indies.
Certification: PADI HSA Course Director/ PADI Master Instructor
In 2003, my wife dragged me to the scuba shop to take the PADI Open Water Course. I had several other hobbies and was certified by my Dad at age 9 in Connecticut (pre-PADI), dove until I joined the Air Force, so I wasn’t really interested in diving again.
Shortly after finishing AOW and PPB, Michele took a work assignment in Ireland for 10 months. When we next saw each other I had finished my Dive Master and we were diving off the Connemara coast west of Galway. In 2005, I completed my IE and continued training and teaching, which I really enjoy. All of my other toys have long since been sold and all we do is scuba dive. I heard about Operation Deep Down through a friend and volunteered Michele to help facilitate our committee meetings and the rest is history.
Dives Logged:1,000+
Most memorable dive: Diving with a fifty-foot humpback whale near the British West Indies.
billm@thescubaco.com
Certification: PADI IDC Staff Instructor
Born in Cuba, Yasmany made his way to the United States during childhood. Yasmany began his diving career totally by accident. After having studied karate his entire life, one day he walked into The Scuba Company just to see what it was about. The rest is history. Yasmany took the plunge and went from the PADI Open Water Diver to Divemaster within a year.
He didn’t stop there, moving from Divemaster to Instructor and finally to IDC Staff Instructor. Yasmany is absolutely enthralled with diving and loves to share this passion with prospective and current divers. In 2017 Yasmany obtained 300 certifications, making him a PADI Elite Instructor, the only PADI Elite Instructor in New Mexico at the time.
Dives Logged: 2500+
Most Memorable Dive: His very first open water dive in Blue Hole on November 11, 2012, it changed his life.
yasmany@thescubaco.com
Certification: Master Instructor, PADI Tec Deep Instructor
Growing up in the Air Force, Mike always figured he would end up near some beautiful ocean someday and learn to dive. Life doesn’t always turn out as we plan, so Mike didn’t expect much when he signed up for a dive class in New Mexico in 1995 at first. What he discovered was that diving can be great almost anywhere!
Some of his more enjoyable dives were in the Galapagos, Red Sea, Fiji, the Caribbean, and kelp diving in California. Local diving is also a favorite in locations like Balmorhea and Rock Lake. Blue Hole turns out to be a great place to train divers, with water temperatures that are higher than anything he has experienced in California at diving depth. Mike started teaching in 2000 and enjoys it immensely. He is especially interested in the physics of diving and works that into his classes for deep diving and divemaster.
Dives Logged: 1,400+
Most Memorable Dive: There are so many that I can’t decide! There was swimming with hammerheads in the Galapagos, a wonderful dive with Ken Cincinnati in Belize, diving with my daughter in the Red Sea, and playing with squid and octopus in Honduras with Jennifer Klecker, Giusseppe Mavralone, and Tom Waters.
mike@thescubaco.com
Certification: PADI IDC Staff Instructor
Rebecca was born in Cleveland, Ohio, but grew up throughout the United States. Traveling between cities and states was always fun, and so this instilled the love of traveling in her blood, and now loves to travel frequently. When she began to dive, it opened a whole new world for her, and Rebecca became addicted. She was on her way to becoming a Scuba Instructor when she met her husband, who just happened to be a diver.
Rebecca didn’t become an instructor then but continued to travel often and everywhere. After her child learned to dive, it was suggested that she become an instructor. She hopes that everyone takes the plunge and learns to dive. It will literally change your world.
Dives Logged: 500+
Most Memorable Dive: It is very hard to choose but some of the more memorable dives include an octopus climbing onto my hand in Roatan, a barracuda following me on a deep wreck, and flying Eagle Rays flying in formation on a wreck dive. They have all been memorable!
rebecca@thescubaco.com
Certification: PADI IDC Staff Instructor
Blayne is originally from Illinois and moved to New Mexico with his family. Blayne graduated from the University of New Mexico with a Bachelors’s in Science and Art. A temporary college job in retail led to a career managing the same store. Blayne comes to the world of diving as most do, preparing for a vacation in 2013.
Once he and his wife, Jamie, began diving they were hooked and have continued to move their diving knowledge forward. Diving for Blayne is incredibly calming, leaving all the stresses of everyday life on the surface.
Dives Logged: 2500+
Most Memorable Dive: Diving Cenotes in Mexico. They were truly like another world, diving through the mix of fresh and saltwater while admiring the stalagmites and stalactites.
blayne@thescubaco.com
Certification: PADI IDC Staff Instructor, PADI Tec Deep Instructor + Trimix
David was first introduced to the idea of breathing underwater with a scuba regulator in 1984 and remembers that experience to this day. He grew up on the Texas gulf coast and was always curious about what was under the water. Driven by that curiosity throughout his life, scuba diving has allowed for exploration and discovery underwater.
“Everything underwater is different. The rules change. It is a place of constant learning and discovery.”
To this day he constantly strives to learn more and increase his knowledge of diving and the underwater world. Although David has had the opportunity to dive in many places, one of his favorites is right here in NM at Rock Lake.
Dives Logged: 500 +
Most Memorable Dive: Diving in Molokini Crater in Maui, HI at dusk in September of 2011. It was better than diving in an aquarium.
david@thescubaco.com
Certification: PADI Speciality Instructor
Born and raised in Southern California till 18 when I joined the Army. Moved around for the next 23 years ending up in Albuquerque NM. While getting ready to retire from the military in 2017 I wanted to learn how to dive so I could go Scuba diving on my retirement vacation to Cabo San Lucas Mexico. So my wife and I did some research and were certified through The Scuba Company. From there, things took a quick pace and I progressed to being a Divemaster in just over a year and logging my 100th dive just 16 months after becoming certified.
Additionally, I became certified to be a Handicapped Scuba Association Divemaster to be able to share diving with more people. I became an Open Water instriuctor of December of 2019.
Dives Logged: 300+
Most Memorable Dive: Probably my first dive in the ocean in Mexico. Got to see the real underwater world and sea life up close for the first time.
paul@thescubaco.com
Certification: PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer Instructor
Cipriano was district Manager for Home Depot before falling in love with Scuba a few years ago. With the joy of diving driving him, he shortly moved up in the PADI ladder and became an Assistant instructor helping future divers and is currently working on an Instructor certification. He is an expert in Cylinder inspections and Hydro testing tanks and if you ever want to laugh just have a few words with him and you will see the joy he brings to the team.
Dives Logged: 500 +
Most Memorable Dive: The first time I got to dive in Roatan and see the real ocean life up close. It’s incredible to hang out in a different world underwater.
cipriano@thescubaco.com
Certification: PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer Instructor, Discover Scuba Diving Leader
Bio Coming Soon.
matt@thescubaco.com
Certification: PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer Instructor
Bio Coming Soon.
al@thescubaco.com
Certification: PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer
Having always loved the water, Alex began diving in Japan in 1996. He has since dove extensively in Japan, Southern California, and as often as possible throughout the Caribbean, with other locations sprinkled in for good measure. He has a passion for night diving, wreck diving, and underwater videography. He enjoys teaching as a way to share his love of the underwater world, and exploration in general, with others.
alexr@thescubaco.com
Certification: PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer Instructor
I got started in diving with my wife while on our honeymoon in Jamaica with a DSD. After that first dive we decided that we had to get certified. Over the next few years we found that the more we dove, the more we wanted to dive! It quickly snowballed into a passion. I went on to get my DM. Shortly after that we went on a liveaboard trip in the Gulf of Mexico and got on as crew, working part-time. After that first season of working part-time, my wife had started travel nursing and I decided to quit my job of 13 years as a fire fighter/paramedic to work full time in diving. We now work on the liveaboard during the dive season and travel with my wifes nursing in the off-season. I went on to get my instructor and then we ended up in Albuquerque. That is how I was so fortunate to become part of the Scuba Company family! So, when I say that diving can be life changing, I say it from my own experience.
Hi, I'm Kelly, a passionate PADI Mermaid Instructor with a deep love for the water. I hold certifications as an Advanced Scuba Diver, Advanced Free Diver, and Water Safety Instructor (WSI), along with an EFR (Emergency First Response) certification, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all my students.
With years of experience in recreational diving, free diving, and mermaiding, I’m thrilled to share my knowledge and skills through my Mermaid courses. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced mermaid, I offer personalized, hands-on training that helps you unlock the magic of becoming a mermaid. From the basics of breath control to mastering graceful underwater movements, my courses are designed to make you feel confident, safe, and empowered as you explore your inner mermaid.
Join me in discovering the enchanting world beneath the surface – it's time to dive in, embrace the water, and unleash your aquatic potential!
Assistant Instructors
Certification: PADI Assistant Instructor, Discover Scuba Diving Leader
I grew up in New Jersey and lived in several other states as a result of company relocations. Ultimately settled in New Mexico in January 2000 where I now own an insurance agency. My interest in diving began when my oldest son enlisted in the Navy and is currently a Navy EOD diver. I committed to becoming certified which I did in 2017 and he and I had a great diving trip to the Florida Keys in early 2018. My interest in diving has continued as I received my certification as a Rescue Diver, Handicapped Scuba Association Divemaster, and Dive Master.
Dives Logged: 500+
Most Memorable Dive: My first ocean dive in Roatan Honduras with my good friends from the Scuba Company.
eladio@thescubaco.com
Certification: PADI Assistant Instructor, Discover Scuba Diving Leader
Jo began her dive career in 1999. She has been a PADI Dive Master since 2004 at The Scuba Company. Jo especially enjoys working with kids – of all ages! She is passionate about helping folks discover new diving experiences, both in New Mexico and in tropical paradises. Sharing her love for water is not the only love she has, she has recently also received her pilot’s license.
Dives Logged: 200+
Most Memorable Dive: Favorite dive locations outside the U.S. include Roatan, Curacao, Baja, Maui, and the Big Island of Hawaii
jo@thescubaco.com
Certification: PADI Assistant Instruction, Discover Scuba Diving Leader.
Before learning to Dive Mike and his wife snorkeled in Hawaii and were jealous of the divers below them playing with turtles. Shortly thereafter, Mike learned to dive at the encouragement of a coworker who wanted a dive buddy after the conference they were attending in Puerto Rico. After that he and his wife were hooked and have now been on many trips. Early on, he started taking a camera underwater and now often takes trips to learn from underwater photography pros. For him, photography forced him to become a better diver, helped him to learn about underwater critters and their behavior, and pointed out many creatures that he didn’t even know to look for until he saw them in his photos. Besides photography, Mike is interested in the technical aspects of diving and enjoys teaching and continuing his own training in technical diving.
Dives Logged: 600+
Most Memorable Dive: Too many great dives to honestly pick only one. However, my most recent was my first blackwater dive, free floating 700 feet above the bottom on a moonless night, with hundreds of paper nautiluses flying by, bouncing off of us and occasionally deciding to rest on top of my camera. The other critters that showed up on that dive were out-of-this-world.
mikewanke@thescubaco.com
Divemasters
Certification: PADI Divemaster, Discover Scuba Diving Leader
Growing up in Michigan, Bill had plenty of access to water and snow, and he got his fair share of both. In 1994, he became both a ski and snowboard instructor. It was only after Bill moved to New Mexico that a good friend suggested that diving was like big mountain snowboarding. Bill learned to dive shortly after that comparison. Bill joined the team in 2012.
bill@thescubaco.com
Certification: PADI Divemaster, Discover Scuba Diving Leader
She started her love of scuba diving by following in the fin kicks of her father. From an early age, she was SNUBA diving and snorkeling faster than any barracuda she chased. In 2018, she was certified in open water in Jamaica. In 2019, she dove in the cenotes around Mexico and the reefs around Cozumel. But the diving in the 2022 Philippines trip with the Scuba Company was what changed her life forever. After experiencing such beautiful diversity and thrilling currents, all with the help of supportive new friends, she decided that she needed to make this her life every day. She is now working to be an instructor for the shop so that she can help others and introduce them to the joy she finds in this amazing sport.
jamiep@thescubaco.com
Certification: PADI Divemaster, Discover Scuba Diving Leader
Bio Coming Soon.
laurenr@thescubaco.com
Certification: PADI Divemaster, Discover Scuba Diving Leader
Bio Coming Soon.
amalie@thescubaco.com
Certification: PADI Divemaster, Discover Scuba Diving Leader
Adrian started diving when he moved to Albuquerque from Toronto, Canada in 2018. He got open water certified in Cabo San Lucas and then walked into the Scuba Company to ask about getting certified as an Advanced Open Water diver. A year later he completed his Divemaster training and started his tech diver training. When he is not scuba diving, Adrian can be found mountian biking, skiing, or enjoying a solid local taco truck. He is a PhD student at the University of New Mexico, focused on mountain snow hydrology for water resource management. So far, his favorite dive is the Devil's Throat in Cozumel.
adrian@thescubaco.com
Certification: PADI Divemaster, Discover Scuba Diving Leader
Bio Coming Soon.
jeffh@thescubaco.com
Certification: PADI Divemaster, Discover Scuba Diving Leader
Bio Coming Soon.
emily@thescubaco.com
Certification: PADI Divemaster, Discover Scuba Diving Leader
Jamie is a New Mexico native with a Master of Science in biology and green technologies. She also teaches science and health to teenagers with special needs. After being terrified of water, she learned to dive in 2013. She immediately fell in love with sharks, turtles, and wrecks. Loving the atmosphere of The Scuba Company family, she joined the staff to help others experience the joy of diving.
jamie@thescubaco.com
(Photo/Video)graphers
Scuba Company Photographer
Born in New Mexico, Andrew grew up on the Navajo reservation. He has been very successful with high-performance car audio systems for many years. Always looking for adventures, he tried scuba diving in Mexico in 2011 and fell in love. Andrew became a scuba instructor to help others. 650 plus dives and over 18 countries later, he loves taking lots of photos underwater. His favorite underwater animals are sharks and octopuses.
andrew@thescubaco.com
Scuba Company Videographer
First attaining his open water certification in 1989 in a cold quarry in Virginia. He studied ichthyology for the first nine years of undersea enjoyment and worked on occasion with Dr. Eugenie Clark. He ran the shark feed show and was a volunteer in charge of the shark exhibit at an aquarium.
Since Scott began diving, he has dived in Virginia, Texas, New York, Denver Aquarium, Bahamas, Florida, Cayman Isl., Roatan, Belize, Bonaire, Black Sea, … and the list is growing. He is currently certified as an Assistant Instructor after going Pro in 2017.
You will often see Scott where he finds the most enjoyment, behind the camera. In 2017, Scott started a company (In Depth Productions) for his underwater cinematography work. You may see a video or two playing in the shop…
Scott has two film degrees where he studied cinematography and has two nursing degrees. He currently works as a Film Rescue Diver/Water Safety and Medic on Film/TV sets as well as an Emergency Department Nurse at the VA. Read more about Scott on his website: https://indepthproductions.org
