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BOD Election
Michael Nadler Michael Nadler

NAUI #10546
President
Divehards International
5916 Callowhill Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
(412) 363-DIVE (3483) Work
(412) 363-2925 Fax:
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Biosketch

Michael Nadler, NAUI #10546, has spent over the last two decades diving, teaching, running dive travel. He, along with his wife, Brigette Nadler, NAUI #34859, own and operate Divehards International in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This is a personalized Scuba Training Company that teaches NAUI throughout the Pittsburgh Area, and beyond.

Following service in the NAVY in 1985, Michael took up Scuba Diving while attending the University of Pittsburgh, and instantly became his new obsession. Immediately working with classes, he worked his way up through Instructor by the end of 1987. He built up a big following during the seven years with the store that he had been certified by before going into business for himself.

Carnegie Mellon University was his first facility, quickly followed by CCAC and other locations. He is currently an Adjunct Professor at Chatham University, and Diving Safety Officer at the Pittsburgh Zoo. Michael received his Course Directors’ while continuing to work with ITC’s in Florida in 2000.

Travel is his main forte including every type of diving and location possible. Divehards is slated to run five major trips in 2008, as well as many summer weekends at nearby locations.

Michael will bring other experience. to the Board. He served five years with a Fire Dept moving up to Lieutenant, followed by being the Training Director and Chief of Training & Development with Air Search Rescue (was on duty for days during 911 in Shanksville, PA), as well as currently the President of the Highland Park Community Council.

Position Statement

     I have been an active NAUI Instructor for the past twenty-plus years. That is my job, my identity, my passion!!! I built and currently own Divehards International, a Scuba Training Company, along with my wife Brigette, NAUI # 34859, and this is what we do together twenty-four hours a day. I am involved in all phases of the Dive Store business, from the direct marketing of our courses at several local Universities and Colleges, the hands-on teaching of all our courses, the sales, the ordering, the rentals, the servicing, to running the training dives and travel program around the world. This is who I am.

     I am amazed how many divers that we run across during our many trips love our diver’s abilities and attitude, but have not heard of NAUI. I am most frustrated when I have customers traveling, but there are no NAUI people where I can refer them or students. The one true thing that I wish to work toward with NAUI is getting the NAUI brand out there. Currently, I am the President of the Highland Park Community Council, as well as the Diving Safety Officer here at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. Thus am very used to working with other’s schedules and time commitments to get projects to their goals. With this said, I wish to bring that passion to the NAUI BOD to bring NAUI along to the Dive Stores, Training Facilities and Instructors into continuing the growth and expansion of NAUI.

BOD Election Questions

1. What is the greatest challenge facing NAUI and the scuba industry today and, as a Board Member, how would you recommend NAUI respond to this challenge? 

The challenge is the keeping of divers diving once they get certified. Too many Instructors/Stores lose the diver through lack of activities and enthusiasm, or lack of time/finances to keep track of their divers. We need to keep putting ourselves in front of the diver, so that they see us as a source for all diving needs. NAUI’s reps should be helping stores set up plans to keep things moving, not selling the stores product from the manufacturers they represent. 

2. Why do you believe that becoming a NAUI Instructor offers promising professional career opportunities and what do you do to promote this belief to your students and within your diving community? 

Why are you here, and what do you wish to do ??? I ask this question to each and every student in each course. It allows me to see what I can do for our people. Teach another course, run a trip, or just get them into the water. Being a NAUI Instructor has opened many doors, and that is exactly what I tell people coming up through our business. Think about what you wish to do, and do it. I have done a lot in the diving Industry, so I show this through experiences I have had to people wishing to reach for their goals.

3. As an international association, NAUI Instructors and dive leaders operate in many parts of the world, each with it's own unique needs and cultural perspectives. As we continue to grow, how will you as a member of the board represent and support all of our members worldwide?

Familiarity is the best opportunity to meet others, as well as experience our differences. Diving is a great way of meeting people from other cultures, and we can enjoy an activity together thus allowing a shared experience to open communication. It actually is not that different from finding out what stores/Instructors here in the states need, and finding a way for NAUI to help.


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