SEI Divemaster and Retail Associate

Meet Emily, she has been one of our dynamic Divemasters and Retail Associates at the Louisville Dive Center since March 2024! With a passion for water that runs deep, Emily began her scuba diving journey in 2015 through an undergraduate Aquatics program and has been exploring the underwater world ever since. She has absolutely loved diving in the Bahamas and Key Largo, but she can't wait to explore even more amazing and exotic dive spots around the globe! Her love for scuba diving is a natural extension of her fascination with aquatic ecology and her enthusiasm for swimming.

When she’s not diving, Emily thrives on adventure. She’s an avid rock climber, camper, backpacker, and novice skier, and enjoys running and identifying organisms on nature trails. A proud Ball State University alum, Emily honed her expertise in communication, travel, geography, and science during her undergraduate and graduate studies. These skills now help her brilliantly share the wonders of diving and the array of opportunities awaiting at the Louisville Dive Center.

Social Media Manager and Retail Associate

Lexi Kerns is a vibrant professional who brings her passion for life into everything she does! At UPS, she’s a powerhouse of efficiency and dedication, keeping one of the world’s leading logistics companies running smoothly. But that’s just part of her adventure! At the Louisville Dive Center, she shares her passion for the underwater world. Since becoming scuba certified in 2019, she has been guiding others to dive into thrilling new experiences.

A proud graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, Lexi knows how to balance work and play. When she’s not navigating logistics, you can find her hiking scenic trails, kayaking on tranquil waters, or spending quality time with her family and friends. And let’s not forget her beloved dog, Murphy, who’s always by her side, ready for the next adventure! With a spirit for exploration and a zest for life, Lexi dives headfirst into every new experience, spreading joy and enthusiasm along the way!
 

Service Technician and Retail Associate

Gino Couch proudly earned his scuba certification in 2023, diving into the underwater world with passion and excitement. His love for the ocean fuels his commitment at the Louisville Dive Center, where he excels as a Service Technician. Gino ensures that all diving equipment is in top-notch condition, helping fellow divers enjoy safe and thrilling underwater adventures.

When he’s not exploring the depths of the sea, Gino loves to embrace the great outdoors. Whether it’s camping or relaxing by the water, he finds joy in nature and the serenity it brings.Gino can also be found in his garage, surrounded by hot rods and working on classic cars. His mechanical skills shine as he revamps and restores vehicles, combining his technical expertise with his love for automotive design.
 

Retail Associate

Brad is a dedicated member of our retail staff who has a wealth of passion for exploring the underwater world. Brad has been a certified diver since 2019 and has explored breath-taking dive sites in places such as Bonaire, Belize, Honduras, the Azores in Portugal, the Maldives, and Indonesia. Brad and his wife Christy have a deep love for travel but closer to home, you may just as easily find him boating at Lake Cumberland, hiking at Bernheim Forest, or at the local gym working out. Before joining the LDC team, Brad enjoyed a remarkable 27-year career as a firefighter/paramedic with the Lexington Fire Department. With his background in public safety, Brad knows the importance of having the best equipment that has the fit and function you need.

NAUI Course Director and Instructor Trainer

Rusty has been diving with the Louisville Dive Center since his wife, Shelly, gifted him SCUBA classes for Christmas in 1994. He became a NAUI instructor in March 2003 and subsequently earned instructor ratings from SSI, SDI, ASHI, and DAN over the next few years. In 2005, Rusty became a NAUI Instructor Trainer and also obtained his Captain's License from the United States Coast Guard.

His SCUBA instruction experience spans from open water and try SCUBA classes to leadership and public safety training. Rusty has dived in a variety of environments, from cold-water quarries to exotic tropical locations, but one experience stands out above the rest. In 2016, he had the privilege of teaching SCUBA to a group of Boy Scouts, including his own Eagle Scout son, Connor. After the crew became certified divers, they embarked on a week-long liveaboard SCUBA trip in the Florida Keys through the Boy Scouts of America's Sea-base High Adventure program. As an adult leader on this trip, Rusty enjoyed watching the young men he had known since their Cub Scout days explore the wonders of the underwater world that SCUBA opened up for them.

NAUI Course Director and Instructor

Tony has been a certified diver since 1987, but really became serious about diving in 1999. Since becoming a NAUI instructor in 2002 his flexible schedule and love for the sport has made him one of LDC’s most active instructors. Currently holding a Course Director designation, Tony enjoys teaching from beginners to professionals.
“Any day I get wet is a good day”.

NAUI Instructor and Instructor Trainer

Originally from California, Dwight caught the dive bug in 1992 and has explored and traveled extensively since.  He is an Instructor Trainer and has been teaching at Louisville Dive Center since 2005.  Dwight works for the largest cargo company in the world as an International Aircraft Dispatcher and when he’s not controlling airplanes you’ll find him tearing his jeep apart, underwater or planning his next vacation.  His kids are following in his footsteps and working their way through dive ratings with a goal to teach in the future.

NAUI Instructor and Instructor Trainer

Chad began scuba diving in 1996.  He became an Instructor for the Louisville Dive Center in 2006 and completed his NAUI Instructor Trainer certification in 2007.  Chad has extensive diving experience in Public Safety Diving, Underwater Search and Rescue/Recovery and Underwater Investigations.  He is the lead team instructor for the largest police department dive team in the Commonwealth of Kentucky in which he has been a member of for 20 years. Chad can also teach Emergency Vessel Operations and Swift Water Rescue Technicians thru ERDI. Chad finds the most gratification in teaching new students and introducing them to the spectacular underwater world.  Chad is a USCG Licensed Master Captain and is always looking to get his gills wet!

NAUI, PADI, and SDI Instructor

Andrea has been a PADI instructor for 4 years, and has been diving for a total of 10 years. She loves to travel and to explore new diving opportunities, especially if it’s in the warmer waters! Andrea has traveled as far as Okinawa, Japan to dive, but will also stay close to dive the local quarries and pools just to get her “diving fix”! She is also certified with NAUI and SDI to cover all your certification needs!

E-Mail: andrea.vivona79@gmail.com 
IG: Avivona1

SDI Instructor

Jen has been teaching scuba since 2003. She teaches a variety of distinctive specialties including Underwater Pumpkin Carving, Underwater Wedding Renewal of Vows, and Kayak Diving amongst 26 other various specialties. She has performed underwater weddings, scavenger hunts, poker runs, and has even thrown an underwater surprise birthday party! Jen is a pilot and enjoys diving around the world. Her favorite dives include the Sea Tiger wreck in Wakiki where she saw a whale shark. In Kona night diving with the manta rays. Also, the prestigious Zenobia wreck in Cyprus. Jen started teaching in Southern California, where she got to dive in the kelp forests on Catalina island frequently. She came to Louisville in 2016 when she got hired by UPS. Jen has a variety of experience and she loves to share it with everyone at Louisville Dive Center! 

NAUI Instructor

A lifelong lover of water since childhood, Dean has been a divemaster for over ten years and an instructor since 2022. While not instructing new students at the Louisville Dive Center, Dean works as an instructor and public safety diver on the Louisville Metro Police Dive Team. While away from work, you can always find Dean near the water. He is constantly searching for a new place to dive. These days, his favorite location to dive is Cozumel, Mexico. 

NAUI Instructor

I have always loved the water and swam competitively and coached for 12 years. I got into Scuba Diving in 2017 and I am a diver and instructor with the LMPD dive team. In my free time I like to hike with my dogs and cook. My favorite place to dive is the Ohio River (haha). 

NAUI and PADI Instructor

Meet Kaycee, our amazing PADI and NAUI instructor, NAUI free diver, and the fabulous NAUI Mermaid class instructor at Louisville Dive Center! Her scuba journey began during a college course at Murray State University eleven years ago, and since then, she’s transformed her passion into a thriving career with us.

Kaycee doesn’t just dive; she’s a true advocate for the ocean! With a degree in environmental sustainability and conservation biology, she’s on a mission to share her knowledge with every student. In her classes, she emphasizes photography, buoyancy, and trim mastery, empowering new divers to explore our beautiful reefs safely and sustainably. Get ready to dive into an unforgettable experience with Kaycee!

NAUI Instructor

Introducing Chad, one of our newest NAUI instructors! With over twenty years of diving experience and more than ten years as a PADI Divemaster, Chad’s passion for the underwater world is infectious. What really drives him is sharing the joy of diving with others, especially new students.

For Chad, the community aspect of diving is everything—he thrives on meeting fellow divers, sharing his knowledge, and making new friends underwater. His favorite dive site? The breathtaking Cathedral dive in Hawaii! Get ready to explore the ocean with Chad, where every dive is an adventure filled with camaraderie and excitement!

NAUI Instructor

Meet Jim, who is one of our newest NAUI instructors! Jim's diving adventure began in 2010 in Mexico, where he earned his first certification. Upon returning home, he joined us at Louisville Dive Center, eagerly learning more and working his way up to Dive Master.

By trade, Jim is a machinist, but he’s also an aspiring photographer who loves blending his skills to capture stunning underwater scenes. While he has a soft spot for clear tropical diving, he’s not one to shy away from the challenge of searching for lost treasures in zero-visibility cold waters! Dive in with Jim and discover the wonders of the ocean together!

Email: jimB@louisvilledivecenter.com

IG: Jimbrady165

NAUI Instructor

Meet Damian, a passionate diver with an impressive 21-year journey under his belt! He’s been an integral part of the Louisville dive community for over a decade, sharing his love for the underwater world with fellow divers.

For most of his diving career, Damian has proudly held the title of Divemaster, honing his skills and enriching the diving experiences of others. In 2022, he took the plunge into a new chapter by becoming a certified instructor, ready to inspire the next generation of divers!

His heart will always belong to Wilmington, NC, where he took his very first dive. The thrill of exploring those waters ignited his lifelong passion, and he still considers it his favorite dive spot. Whether he’s guiding new divers or sharing tales from the depths, Damian brings enthusiasm and expertise to every dive!

NAUI Instructor

Mike is one of our newest members to our team and NAUI Instructor! He was inspired to start diving while snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef and was struck with the desire to go deeper and explore the reef from below. While the Great Barrier Reef remains Mike’s favorite dive site, he enjoys diving in the Florida Keys as a closer option. While out of the water, Mike works as a Software Developing Director, working on applications for the electric grid.

NAUI Instructor

Zane is one of our newest NAUI instructors! His love of the water and passion for the sport inspired him to become the best diver he could be. While not at the shop, Zane works as a farrier, making sure that horses around the country are happy and healthy.

NAUI Divemaster

Meet Aimee, one of our newest divemasters, who has been diving since 2018! Her passion for water and the mesmerizing beauty of aquatic life drives her to explore the wonders of the underwater world. Aimee’s enthusiasm for diving is truly contagious, and she’s eager to share her adventures with others.

Hawaii holds a special place in her heart as her favorite dive location, where she revels in the vibrant coral reefs and stunning marine life. But Aimee’s commitment to the water goes beyond recreational diving. She also serves as a public safety diver with the Louisville Metro Dive Team, where she plays a crucial role in search and rescue operations.

PADI Divemaster

Ian is a recent transplant to Louisville from Cincinnati and has been working with students at LDC throughout 2024. He became a PADI Divemaster in Spring 2023. He and his oldest son got certified together in early 2019. His favorite dive location so far has been Roatan Honduras, although trips down to the various natural springs in Florida such as Blue Grotto, Rainbow River, and Devils Den are relaxing. While out of the water, Ian works as a healthcare leader at UofL School of Medicine and UofL Health and lives in JTown with his wife, Kristy, and two of their three children who still live at home.