Our Professional Staff
The names of every Platinum Pro 5000 diver reads like a list from the "Who's Who in the Scuba Diving World". Because according to Dive Training Magazine, that is just what it is.
Scuba Schools International introduced the first dive recognition program to reward and recognize divers for the number of scuba dives they have made and their dedication to the recreation of diving.
The Platinum Pro 5000 Award is the highest level and honors divers who have completed 5000 dives or more or 2500 dives with ten years in the industry plus a significant contribution to the dive industry.
The accomplishments of these divers are remarkable. Dive equipment company founders, environmental activists, world famous underwater photographers, researchers and scientists.
At the annual Professional Diver's Show in 1999, Captain Bud Uren, President of US Scuba Center and US Scuba's store manager, Tim Sellick were awarded the Platinum Pro 5000 instructor Award.
Bud received his instructor's training at the NASDS College in California in 1971, and has been involved with numerous manufacturer's test dive teams due to his expertise with the technical aspect of diving. Bud who is a commercial helicopter pilot and Coast Guard Licensed Captain is known in the diving industry for advancing the educational techniques of scuba diving. Bud was the first Course Director in Michigan and also captained and owned a diving charter boat in Michigan dubbed the "007". Bud has also been awarded the prestigious Pro 5000 Diver Award.
Tim Sellick has been diving since 1985 and became an instructor in 1987. Tim has been store manager at US Scuba Center since 1989 and became an Instructor Trainer in 1994 and Certifier in 1996. Tim developed the first diving credit card of its type with MBNA. All the proceeds from that card went to marine preservation programs such as the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Program the first Reef Ball system in fresh water and numerous marine parks.
Tim has developed numerous Specialty Classes aimed at enabling the recreational diver to advance their skills and enjoyment of the underwater world. The best known of these Specialties Classes is the "Underwater Basket Weaving" Course which has a national service mark and may be replicated, but never duplicated.
Tim's experience in diving includes the inland and Great Lake's and diving throughout the world. Tim oversees the education program at US Scuba Center. In addition to being awarded the Pro 5000 Instructor Award, Tim is also a Pro 5000 Diver.
Dr. Heather Sellick the co-founder of US Scuba Center with Bud Uren, has been diving since 1980 and was recognized in 1999 for her significant contributions to the diving industry in the area of education, marketing and the growth of the professional diving center.
Heather is an environmental activist who believes in training confident, competent and environmentally conscious divers. Heather believes that the future preservation of the precious and fragile underwater world and those that call it home, depends on these future advocates. Heather organizes the Annual Manatee Benefit in memory of her mother, Florence Sellick. Over $75,000 has been raised and contributed through US Scuba Center to marine preservation projects.
Heather is well know in the area of education and was responsible for US Scuba becoming a state licensed vocational training center in 1986; the first full service scuba center in the state to receive this distinction.
Heather also organizes diving expeditions around the world through US Travel Center; introducing the diver who seeks new scuba and land adventures to places most people only dream about.
US Scuba Center's Staff are Professionally Trained Educators who have a love of diving and great diving knowledge of the sport and desire to share that through diver training.
Meet Our Staff:
Michael Ayerst: Mike has been diving since 1997 and a Gold 500 SSI Instructor since 2000. Mike is a full time retail sales specialist at US Scuba and specializes in equipment and Computer Courses. Mike has led US Scuba Groups to the Bahamas, Cayman Brac, Tobermory, Canada and Galapagos. Mike has traveled numerous times to Bonaire. To quote Mike: "I always wanted to dive as a kid, now I feel like a kid diving".
Eric Bell - Eric is an Advanced Open Water instructor and has been teaching since 1989. Eric teaches: Night, Boat, Wreck, Deep, Navigation, Search and Light Salvage and CPR and First Aid. Eric has lead groups to numerous locations in the Caribbean.
Barb Gauche: Barb has been diving since 1985 and an Instructor since 1989. Barb is a Master Scuba Trainer and SSI and PADI Instructor. Barb teaches: Swift Water, Night. Wreck, Boat, Deep, Underwater Communications, and Navigation Specialty Classes. Barb has led groups to the Bahamas, Cayman and Tobermory, Canada. Barb has traveled to numerous Caribbean Destinations and worked full time through US Travel Center and US Scuba Center. Barb is very involved with the Manatee Program.
Hank VanAgen: Hank has been teaching since 1992 and has traveled to numerous locations in the Caribbean and lead groups to Bonaire, Cozumel, Bahamas and the Cayman Islands. Hank is an Advanced Open Water Instructor and teaches Specialty Classes in: Photography, Night, Deep, Boat, Navigation, Wreck and Search and Light Salvage.
Jim Bambard: Jim in his other life is a race car driver. Jim loves Michigan diving and has been teaching since 2006.
Marie Bagwill: Marie has a love of travel and has dove numerous areas of the Caribbean with her husband and two daughters, all of whom are scuba divers. Marie has been teaching sine 2006.
Tim Kellogg: Tim loves to dive Michigan and Florida. He winters in Florida and during the summer teaches Beginning, Open Water and many of the Kid's Programs. Tim has been an instructor since 2007.
Maia D'Amato; Maia is a Dive Control Specialist who loves to travel and loves teaching the snorkeling classes, Experience Scuba Classes and a number of the children's programs.
Mike Ayerst Barbara Gauche Tim Kellogg Eric Bell Jim Bambard
Marie Bagwill Maia D'Amato Mike Scott Hank VanAgen
STORE HOURS: Note: CLOSED Tuesdays and Sundays
515 S. Rochester Road Rochester, MI. 48307
General Information: usscuba@sbcglobal.net
Store Hours: Monday - Friday - 10:00am - 7:00pm
Saturday - 10:00am - 5:00pm