Billy ( Management Team )

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• General Manager

  PADI Platinum Course Director - Scuba Diving since 1975

  • Sidemount Diver Instructor

  • Full FaceMask Instructor

  • Tec Cave Dive Instructor

  • Tec 40 Dive Instructor

  Billy's first introduction to scuba came by way of his father. At an early age, Billy assisted his dad on various commercial diving jobs along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. In 1978, Billy became a PADI Open Water diver and began exploring recreationally as a diver around the globe. It was on a job in Freeport, Bahamas, where Billy's interest in the "business of diving" was sparked. After diving with UNEXSO, Billy states that he tasted the joy of diving in an exotic location and got hooked! Having grown up around commercial diving and what the business side entails, he discovered that recreational diving is a pleasure which must be shared with others. Diver education became his passion and his career focus.

  As a high schooler, Billy exercised his aggressive enterprising skills on the football field. This drive earned him game time on competitive college football and semi-pro teams. Billy pursued his dream of playing pro ball with the Tampa Bay Bandits until the closing of the USFL league in 1986. Billy then went back to college and finished his degree in education and became a high school teacher and coach. Like many teachers, he took on a summer job. One day, Billy decided to trade in his cleats for fins and submerge his classroom. It became apparent to him that he could make a rewarding living in the scuba industry. No lessons lost here. Whether on the field, in the classroom, exploring the underwater world or managing a staff of 100+, Billy applies his education and coaching experience to compile winning teams everywhere.

  Along the way, Billy moved to California and worked for PADI Headquarters. Working behind the scenes at Headquarters, he learned what makes PADI the world's largest and best certifying agency. Charged with ideas, Billy could not resist the urge to jump back in the water again. Billy departed PADI to follow his dream of growing the dive business. His first baby, Club Caribbean Dive and Travel, Inc. became the first PADI 5 Star IDC in Mississippi and one of the most successful dive retail businesses along the Gulf of Mexico. Billy then opened a resort destination in La Parguera, Puerto Rico. Club Caribbean continued to expand to a full service PADI Dive Center in Gulfport, MS which also handled reservations for their wholesale location in Cozumel, Mexico. At the early boom of cruise travel, Billy launched a travel business which catered specifically to diver travelers and their family's needs. Cruising took off and Billy hired a team of outside agents.

  In 1994, Billy welcomed Alex who just 4 years later became the first certified PADI SASY Diver in the world. In 1998 his sister, Natassia, came splashing into the world, baby fins and snorkel in hand. As the diverse Club Caribbean staff and family grew, so did Billy's desire to make a positive impact on the world in a more intimate way. While searching for ways to serve God's people, the Gulf Coast received a devastating blow. Hurricane Katrina leveled entire communities in Billy's hometown. Billy sold off his business and began a period of rebuilding homes, churches and schools. This period of time led to serving in full time ministry as a Children's Pastor and later the Headmaster at a private Christian school in Biloxi, MS.

  From running construction crews, handing out high school diplomas to serving on the mission field of Africa, Russia, Mexico, Canary Islands, Billy maintained his love of the sea. As an instructor he introduced others to the underwater world. As a Course Director since 1994, Billy has had the honor of passing down the privilege to new instructors. Billy returned to the industry full time as Regional Sales Representative for SEAC USA. When given the incredible opportunity to join the Rainbow Reef team, Billy told owner, DJ Wood, "Count me in." "Working at Rainbow Reef is a riveting challenge, the ride is mind-blowing, innovation is intense but when you're sitting on the bow of the boat watching the sunset before a night dive, the return is spectacular.

  Billy resides in Key Largo, FL, works as General Manager and PADI Course Directors.

  • Favorite Dive Site:

    USS Spiegel Grove

  • Favorite Specialty Class:

    Wreck & Night

  • Favorite Fish:

    Green Moray eel

  • Favorite Restaurant:

    Fish House & Tower of Pizza

  • Favorite Movie:

    Rocky

  PADI Specialty Instructor Certifications:

  • Wreck Diver

  • Deep Diver

  • Enriched Air/Nitrox Diver

  • Boat Diver

  • Peak Performance Buoyancy Diver

  • Night Diver

  • Search & Recovery Diver

  • Self Reliant Diver

  • Sidemount Diver

  • Public Safety Diver

  • Underwater Naturalist

  • Underwater Navigator

  • Digital Photo/Video

  • Diver Propulsion Vehicle

  • Drift Diver

  • Dry Suit Diver

  • Equipment Specialist

  • SMB/DSMB Diver

  • Project Aware

  • Coral Reef Conservation

  • Invasive Lionfish Tracker

  • Dive Against Debris

  • Fish Identification

  • Shark Conservation

  • Whale Shark Awareness

  • Tec Basics

  • Cavern Diver

  • Tec Cave Diver

  • Advanced Wreck Diver

  • Tec 40 Diver

  • PADI Emergency 02 Provider

  • DAN Emergency 02 Provider

  • EFR Primary/Secondary Care

  • EFR Care for Children

  • Ocean Reef Full FaceMask (IDM)

  • Ocean Reef FFM w/Coms

  • PADI Full FaceMask

  • Spiegel Grove Diver

  • Basic Free Diver

My Dive Gear:

• Regulators:

• BCD:

  Aqua Lung Axiom i3
  
  

  A feature-rich, ADV style, wrap-around jacket that incorporates the innovative i3 inflation / deflation system (patented). The integrated WraptureTM harness system (pat. pend.) allows you to stand up straight in total comfort while the cylinder remains pe...

• Dive Computers:

• Mask:

  Aqua Lung MicroMask
  
  

  The Micromask is a revolution in mask design. Its innovative, patented structure makes it possible for the lenses to fit in the ocular orbit. Never before have lenses been so close to the eyes. This not only results in an amazingly wide peripheral vie...

• Fins:

  Aqua Lung Express ADJ
  
  

  The Express ADJ fin rep- represents the latest in technology and material innovation. Comfort, power and efficiency are the hallmarks of this propulsion machine. Strap a pair on and see for yourself. ...

• Snorkel:

  Atomic SV-1 Snorkel
  
  

  The Atomic Aquatics Scupper Valve snorkel design is based on the same principle as the one-way Scupper Valve used in boats. If waves or splashes enter the boat, a one-way rubber flapper located on the deck near the rear of the boat opens to drain the wate...

• Octopus:

  Aqua Lung Legend Octo
  
  

  This balanced second stage is the perfect pairing for the Legend LX regulator. Its breathability is unmatched. In fact, it breathes easier than most primary regulators! Made with the same high quality parts and materials as the Legend LX, quality and dura...