Board of Directors
Steve
Barsky started diving in 1965 and became a diving instructor in 1970.
His first 10 years of employment were in the retail dive store
environment. Steve's background includes being a commercial diver,
working in the offshore oil industry in the North Sea, Gulf of Mexico
and South America. He worked dives down to 580 feet. Barsky was
marketing manager for Viking America, Inc., an international
manufacturer of dry suits. He also served in a similar position at
Diving Systems International, now called Kirby Morgan Dive Systems,
Inc., the world's leading manufacturer of commercial diving helmets. In
1989, Steve formed Marine Marketing and Consulting. The company
provides market research, marketing plans, consulting, newsletters,
promotional articles, technical manuals, and other services for the
diving and ocean industry. He has consulted to Light and Motion,
Drager, AquaLung/U.S. Divers Co., Inc., Seagle Systems, Inc., Diving
Unlimited International (DUI), Kirby Morgan Dive Systems, Inc., DAN,
NAUI, and numerous other companies. He also investigates diving
accidents and serves as an expert witness in dive accident litigation.
Steve is an accomplished author and underwater photographer. His photos
have been used in numerous magazine articles, catalogs, advertising,
training programs and textbooks. In 1999, Steve and his wife Kristine
formed Hammerhead Press to publish high quality diving books. Marine
Marketing and Consulting, Hammerhead Press, and Hammerhead Video all
operate under the umbrella of the Carcharodon Corporation.
Joel
Geldin became interested in man-made reefs at the same time be became
certified as a recreational diver. His first open water dive in
California was on the Yukon in San Diego. Joel believes the Orange
County coast is a perfect location for diveable, sustainable ocean
habitats for sea life. He was elected to the California Ships to Reefs
Board of Directors in June 2008, and currently serves as Chairman &
CEO. Joel is also President and co-Founder of Geldin/Dubin Group, Inc.
a 6-year old consulting firm in the food processing industry. For the
previous 30 years, Joel worked for the Geldin Meat Company, a
generation-spanning family business where he became the Chief Operating
Officer. He has been a director, or officer of the National Meat
Association and the Associated Meat and Food Suppliers of Southern
California, as well as a management trustee for the Retail Clerks Union
and Teamster Union pension and welfare funds. Joel has served on boards
and committees for charitable organizations including the Boy Scouts of
America.
Chairman & President
Dick
Long is one of the pioneers of the diving industry and the founder of
Diving Unlimited International (DUI). In 1965 he worked as a contract
diver for the U.S. Navy in the Arctic and from 1965 through 1972 he
operated his own commercial diving company. He is past Chairman of San
Diego Oceans Foundation. Dick's consuming passion during 1999-2000 was
the management of the sinking of HMCS Yukon, a former Canadian Navy
ship, which has become an artificial reef for divers. Since that time
Dick has been spreading the word, helping new organizations start their
own artificial reefing programs, including California Ships to Reefs
(CSTR). He is currently Chief Advisor to CSTR.
Secretary & Treasurer
Eleanore
Rewerts has 40+ years experience in administration/accounting/marketing
management, and is certified in Paralegal Studies and Grant Writing.
She served as VP Administration for California Ships to Reefs from
November 2006 until 2007 when she was appointed Executive Director
until November 2008. Eleanore currently serves as Secretary/Treasurer
and VP, Communication/ Finance of CSTR & is Treasurer and a
Director of Northern California Oceans Foundation.
Robert Watts has enjoyed a
diverse career in the finance industry, corporate and association
management for over thirty five years. For the past 11 years he has
worked as a financial and management consultant, specializing in
management turnarounds in various industries as a principal in his firm
Pacific Asset Group. In addition, Robert has analyzed and underwritten
commercial real estate nationwide for banks, buyers and turnaround
specialists. His primary focus is corporate restructures, with special
attention to directional changes, negotiations, and the acquisition,
disposition or leasing of large commercial real estate projects. As an
avid scuba diver for over forty-three years, Robert has traveled to
over twenty-nine countries worldwide. A strong supporter of the diving
industry, he has worked on several issues concerning the industry in an
attempt to bring an unbiased position to the issues. Robert was part of
the management team for Project Yukon. HMCS Yukon, a Canadian frigate
was reefed in San Diego in 2000. He has worked with several non-profit
environmental foundations to assist them in their mission to protect
the environment.