Sergio Smith, CEO - President of International Diving Institute, formerly known as East Coast Dive Connection. He has been diving for over 35 years and he has been the East Coast Regional Director for NASE Worldwide since 2000. He has lived throughout the world and has been a diving instructor in many places including the Gulf of Aquaba,, Jordan; Souda Bay in Crete, Greece, and throughout the Mediterranean Sea. Mr. Smith also worked with the University of Sassani in Sardania as an archeological diver. He is fluent in English, italian, French, and Haitian. He served with the Navy Special Warfare Group and was assigned to EOD Mobile Unit 12 in Charleston, SC where he was responsible for all air/mixed gas systems. The Navy certified him as a Master Repair Technician and instructor in 1983. He opened East coast Dive Connection in 1996 before retiring from the Navy after 20 years.
Dr. E. Lee Spence - Vice President - Dr. Spence is an international expert on shipwrecks and sunken treasures. Spence found his first shipwrecks in 1960. Spence graduated Cum Laude from the University of South Carolina in 1976, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with an academic concentration in marine archaeology. In 1991 and '92, Spence served as Chief of Underwater Archaeology for Providencia, a 40,000 square-mile archipelago in the Western Caribbean. He has worked on many underwater wrecks from Spanish galleons to modern submarines. The author of over two dozen books, he has served as editor for a number of nationally distributed magazines. Dr. Spence was the discoverer of the Civil War submarine Hunley, and in 1995, at the official request of the State of South Carolina Hunley Commission, he donated all of his rights to the wreck to the State. The Hunley has been described as the most important underwater archaeological discovery of the 20th century.
Although he has discovered numerous historically significant shipwrecks, including the Confederate cruiser Georgiana, and has salvaged millions of valuable artifacts, Spence considers his identification of George Trenholm, who was the owner of the Georgiana, as the "Real Rhett Butler" to have been his most important literary discovery. Spence is also an award-winning cartographer and has published a number of maps and charts dealing with shipwrecks and treasure.
Although he has discovered numerous historically significant shipwrecks, including the Confederate cruiser Georgiana, and has salvaged millions of valuable artifacts, Spence considers his identification of George Trenholm, who was the owner of the Georgiana, as the "Real Rhett Butler" to have been his most important literary discovery. Spence is also an award-winning cartographer and has published a number of maps and charts dealing with shipwrecks and treasure.
Michael Hielscher - Vice President - Mr. Hielscher attended Technical College/University, Roskilde Denmark and earned a degree in mechanical engineering in 1983. He entered the Royal Danish Navy in 1983 and served as a Senior Diving Instructor and Assistant Chief Instructor. After military services Mr. Hielscher continued his diving career in the North Sea as a Saturation Diver and Supervisor for Inshore Marine Service A/S in Denmark. Mr. Hielscher transferred to the Gulf of Mexico where he worked as a Saturation/Mixed Gas Diver for Global Divers International, and Cal Dive International. Mr. Hielscher has over 20 years of offshore diving and supervisory experience, before joining the International Diving Institute. Mr. Hielscher is certified as: Bell Saturation Supervisor, (IMCA 1990); Air Supervisor (IMCA 1990); Navy diving Supervisor, Bell Saturation Diver (IMCA 1987); NDT - Det Norske Veritas (DNV 1988); U/W Welding - U/W Blasting 1986, and Safety Offshore Certification 1989. Mr. Hielscher speaks Danish, ,Swedish, Norwegian, German, and English. He is currently working as a consulting dive Superintendent for offshore diving companies to include Deep Marine Technology (DMT), 2-W Diving and Bisso Marine.
David Sharpe - Diving Instructor / Supervisor
Mr. Sharpe has been diving for over 17 years. He began diving in 1993 and became recreational SCUBA certified. Mr. Sharpe continued to work towards a career in diving by becoming certified in Technical Nitrox in 1996, SSI Assistant Instructor, and NSS Full Cave Diver in 1997. In November 2003, he became a NASE Instructor and graduated from Commercial Diving School as class valedictorian. He is also an MDEA SCUBA Instructor. Mr. Sharpe's commercial diving experience includes service with Superior Offshore, Triton and Madcon Diving Companies where he was instrumental in the Gulf Hurricane Recovery Effort.
Mr. Sharpe has been diving for over 17 years. He began diving in 1993 and became recreational SCUBA certified. Mr. Sharpe continued to work towards a career in diving by becoming certified in Technical Nitrox in 1996, SSI Assistant Instructor, and NSS Full Cave Diver in 1997. In November 2003, he became a NASE Instructor and graduated from Commercial Diving School as class valedictorian. He is also an MDEA SCUBA Instructor. Mr. Sharpe's commercial diving experience includes service with Superior Offshore, Triton and Madcon Diving Companies where he was instrumental in the Gulf Hurricane Recovery Effort.
Kim Gissendanner has been diving since 1975 when he became active in offshore wreck diving, cave diving in Northern Florida, and archeological diving in the black water rivers of South Carolina. His SCUBA certifications have included YMCA Goldstar Instructor, PADI Open Water Instructor, NAUI, MDEA, and National Speleological Society Cave Diving Instructor. In 1981 Kim graduated from Florida Institute of Technology (Distinction) with an Associate of Science Degree in Underwater Technology. He was honored with the school’s Underwater Technology Award in 1981. Kim is certified for surface-supplied and mixed gas diving and is qualified on a variety of diving helmets including Mark V. While attending FIT Kim was employed as a Life Support Technician with Taylor Diving and Salvage. Upon graduation from Florida institute of Technology, Kim worked for 15 years in the commercial diving industry as a project manager and diving supervisor with UCD, Wiswell, Inc. and Aquatic Marine Systems, Inc. His diving experience includes ship’s husbandry, power plants and dams, inspection work and heavy underwater construction involving welding and concrete encasement of various structures throughout the US and abroad. Kim has been involved in underwater construction projects throughout the US, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Honduras, Curacao, and Aruba.
Linn Boughamer - Instructor of Physics, Physiology, & Dive Medicine
Linn Boughamer became a Scuba Certified Diver in 2004. He holds a B.S. degree in Radiologic Technology and Biology from Alderson Broaddus College in Philippi, West Virginia, an M.S. degree in Radiology from the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a D.M.D. degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina. During his 37 years in the medical profession he has 28 years of teaching experience and has served on numerous
education and medical committees.
Linn Boughamer became a Scuba Certified Diver in 2004. He holds a B.S. degree in Radiologic Technology and Biology from Alderson Broaddus College in Philippi, West Virginia, an M.S. degree in Radiology from the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a D.M.D. degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina. During his 37 years in the medical profession he has 28 years of teaching experience and has served on numerous
education and medical committees.
Captain Terry Pritchard _ Open Water SCUBA Instructor.
Terry is a USCG licensed boat captain. He is an avid black water river diver and has spent years searching for relics and artifacts in the surrounding rivers.
Terry is a USCG licensed boat captain. He is an avid black water river diver and has spent years searching for relics and artifacts in the surrounding rivers.
Peter "Joey" Brunson - Deck Instructor. Joey graduated from International Diving Institute as an Air/Mixed Gas Diver. He recently joined our staff as a Deck Instructor. He has an extensive background in construction and enjoys SCUBA diving in his spare time.
Contract Instructors
John Stoddart - Instructor (Substitute)
Mr. Stoddart is retired from the U.S. Navy with 16 years of military and civilian diving experience. He was a qualified Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician, Hull Maintenance Technician, Unit Operations Officer and Instructor. In 1990, Mr. Stoddart completed SCUBA diver training at the Naval Submarine Training Center Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He then qualified as a U.S. Navy Diving Supervisor in both SCUBA and the MK16 Gas Underwater Breathing Apparatus in 1994. His U.S. Navy responsibilities included academic/practical instruction in a variety of EOD and diving related evolutions to include the training of international armed forces in the area of Port Security/Harbor Defense diving operations. Mr. Stoddart’s tours of duty included 8 years at an Underwater Mine Countermeasures Unit, 3 years in ordnance publications and render-safe procedure development and 3 years with an Ordnance Clearance Unit (both surface and underwater). Mr. Stoddart is a Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician Basic (EMT-B), although not currently performing duties as an EMT; he is active as an American Heart Association CPR and First Aid Instructor.
Certifications, Memberships, Accreditations:
Mr. Stoddart is retired from the U.S. Navy with 16 years of military and civilian diving experience. He was a qualified Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician, Hull Maintenance Technician, Unit Operations Officer and Instructor. In 1990, Mr. Stoddart completed SCUBA diver training at the Naval Submarine Training Center Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He then qualified as a U.S. Navy Diving Supervisor in both SCUBA and the MK16 Gas Underwater Breathing Apparatus in 1994. His U.S. Navy responsibilities included academic/practical instruction in a variety of EOD and diving related evolutions to include the training of international armed forces in the area of Port Security/Harbor Defense diving operations. Mr. Stoddart’s tours of duty included 8 years at an Underwater Mine Countermeasures Unit, 3 years in ordnance publications and render-safe procedure development and 3 years with an Ordnance Clearance Unit (both surface and underwater). Mr. Stoddart is a Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician Basic (EMT-B), although not currently performing duties as an EMT; he is active as an American Heart Association CPR and First Aid Instructor.
Certifications, Memberships, Accreditations:
- US Navy Diver
- US Navy Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician
- American Heart Association CPR/First Aid Instructor
- NASE OW Instructor NASE/WASI
Administrative Staff
Janilee Chesky - Head of Administration
Ms. Chesky retired from the U.S. Navy with 20 years of administrative experience, and 12 years as office manager for a local land clearing business. She is IDI’s certifying school official for VA/Voc Rehab and also manages the admin office including finances and student records.
Ms. Chesky retired from the U.S. Navy with 20 years of administrative experience, and 12 years as office manager for a local land clearing business. She is IDI’s certifying school official for VA/Voc Rehab and also manages the admin office including finances and student records.
Debbie Gregory - Dive Shop Manager/ Retail Sales
Debbie Lynn Gregory is the Retail Dive Shop Manager at International Diving Institute Dive Locker and works in the Admin Office. Debbie has been in the Diving Industry for 15 years. She has been in the Retail Industry for 20 years. She earned her Open water in 1998, Advanced and Nitrox in 1999, Rescue Diver in 2000 and Asst Scuba Ranger Instructor in 2001. Debbie is also licensed CPO/SPA (Certified Pool Operator) through the state of South Carolina. She loves diving the Cooper River looking for artifacts. The International Diving Institute Dive Locker is one of the most well equipped dive shops on the East coast offering the latest in Sport Diving Equipment as well as equipment needed for commercial diving. The state of the art facility includes test tanks, 2 recompression chambers and multiple air stations and a mixed gas mixing facility. The shop is staffed and equipped for repairs of all diving equipment both SCUBA and surface supplied.
Debbie Lynn Gregory is the Retail Dive Shop Manager at International Diving Institute Dive Locker and works in the Admin Office. Debbie has been in the Diving Industry for 15 years. She has been in the Retail Industry for 20 years. She earned her Open water in 1998, Advanced and Nitrox in 1999, Rescue Diver in 2000 and Asst Scuba Ranger Instructor in 2001. Debbie is also licensed CPO/SPA (Certified Pool Operator) through the state of South Carolina. She loves diving the Cooper River looking for artifacts. The International Diving Institute Dive Locker is one of the most well equipped dive shops on the East coast offering the latest in Sport Diving Equipment as well as equipment needed for commercial diving. The state of the art facility includes test tanks, 2 recompression chambers and multiple air stations and a mixed gas mixing facility. The shop is staffed and equipped for repairs of all diving equipment both SCUBA and surface supplied.
David Neilsen - Sales Agent
David Nielsen has over 30 years experience working as an admissions director. He takes pride in his ability to screen potential applicants to assure that they have the necessary aptitude, ambition, and the physical and mental requisites necessary to succeed in a career in commercial diving. He is resourceful in advising students in avenues and methodologies for obtaining the necessary tuition for their education.
David Nielsen has over 30 years experience working as an admissions director. He takes pride in his ability to screen potential applicants to assure that they have the necessary aptitude, ambition, and the physical and mental requisites necessary to succeed in a career in commercial diving. He is resourceful in advising students in avenues and methodologies for obtaining the necessary tuition for their education.
Jerry Barham - Master Equipment Technician
Jerry Barham is the resident service technician at International Diving Institute where he is responsible for all equipment repair and maintenance. He was certified as a PADI Open water diver in 1972. Since then he has earned many certifications in sport diving including NASE Instructor, Divemaster, Rescue Diver, Cavern, Cave, Equipment Specialist, and Underwater Photography. He is certified as a repair technician on all major brands of dive equipment including Posiedon, Sherwood, USD, Dive rite, and Interspiro/OTS. He is a certified compressor tech for Mako and Bauer. He is also and instructor and repair tech for Ocean Reef equipment and he specializes in repair and maintenance of vintage diving equipment.. He holds inspection certifications in visual and eddy current (PSI) and is a certified hydrostatic tester (CTC).
Jerry Barham is the resident service technician at International Diving Institute where he is responsible for all equipment repair and maintenance. He was certified as a PADI Open water diver in 1972. Since then he has earned many certifications in sport diving including NASE Instructor, Divemaster, Rescue Diver, Cavern, Cave, Equipment Specialist, and Underwater Photography. He is certified as a repair technician on all major brands of dive equipment including Posiedon, Sherwood, USD, Dive rite, and Interspiro/OTS. He is a certified compressor tech for Mako and Bauer. He is also and instructor and repair tech for Ocean Reef equipment and he specializes in repair and maintenance of vintage diving equipment.. He holds inspection certifications in visual and eddy current (PSI) and is a certified hydrostatic tester (CTC).
Maighan Gregory - Dive Equipment Sales Associate
Maighan started as a SCUBA Ranger in 1999. After that she trained for Open Water and by 2005 had certified as an Advanced Open Water Diver. She is currently working on Stress & Rescue Diver and is working towards becoming a Dive Master. Maighan graduated from Summerville High School in 2010 and she is now attending college, studying to become a nurse. Maighan has been working in the International diving Institute Dive Shop for 2 years.
Maighan started as a SCUBA Ranger in 1999. After that she trained for Open Water and by 2005 had certified as an Advanced Open Water Diver. She is currently working on Stress & Rescue Diver and is working towards becoming a Dive Master. Maighan graduated from Summerville High School in 2010 and she is now attending college, studying to become a nurse. Maighan has been working in the International diving Institute Dive Shop for 2 years.