As a Course Director since 1994, Billy has had the honor of passing down the privilege to new instructors. As an instructor he introduced others to the underwater world. 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.įrom 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. Billy sold off his business and began a period of rebuilding homes, churches and schools. Hurricane Katrina leveled entire communities in Billy's hometown. While searching for ways to serve God's people, the Gulf Coast received a devastating blow. 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. In 1998 his sister, Natassia, came splashing into the world, baby fins and snorkel in hand. In 1994, Billy welcomed Alex who just 4 years later became the first certified PADI SASY Diver in the world. Cruising took off and Billy hired a team of outside agents. At the early boom of cruise travel, Billy launched a travel business which catered specifically to diver travelers and their family's needs. 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. Billy then opened a resort destination in La Parguera, Puerto Rico. became the first PADI 5 Star IDC in Mississippi and one of the most successful dive retail businesses along the Gulf of Mexico. His first baby, Club Caribbean Dive and Travel, Inc. Billy departed PADI to follow his dream of growing the dive business. Charged with ideas, Billy could not resist the urge to jump back in the water again. Working behind the scenes at Headquarters, he learned what makes PADI the world's largest and best certifying agency. 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.Īlong the way, Billy moved to California and worked for PADI Headquarters. It became apparent to him that he could make a rewarding living in the scuba industry. One day, Billy decided to trade in his cleats for fins and submerge his classroom. Like many teachers, he took on a summer job. Billy then went back to college and finished his degree in education and became a high school teacher and coach. Billy pursued his dream of playing pro ball with the Tampa Bay Bandits until the closing of the USFL league in 1986. This drive earned him game time on competitive college football and semi-pro teams. Diver education became his passion and his career focus.Īs a high schooler, Billy exercised his aggressive enterprising skills on the football field. 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. It was on a job in Freeport, Bahamas, where Billy's interest in the "business of diving" was sparked. In 1978, Billy became a PADI Open Water diver and began exploring recreationally as a diver around the globe. At an early age, Billy assisted his dad on various commercial diving jobs along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Billy's first introduction to scuba came by way of his father.
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