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High Sierra Divers   diveflag1.gif
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(530) 823-6757
info@hsdivers.com

STAFF PROFILES

Owners

Doug
Doug Novelly

Co-Owner of High Sierra Divers - NAUI SDI, SSI Instructor Trainer
Doug is the current owner of High Sierra Divers, along with his wife Tina. He teaches classes, does merchandising, equipment repair, sales, Open Water Training, Instructor Training and whatever else is needed around the shop. Doug is also one of our trip leaders on many of our warm-water trips. Doug originally took an Advanced Class from HSD in its early days, then started helping with the classes and became HSD's first employee. He was the manager of the Grass Valley store and started the Auburn store. He eventually became an Instructor and then an Instructor Trainer (the highest level attainable). Doug is an avid diver, free diver and photographer. He is the go-to guy for all of your Scuba related questions.
Tina
Tina Novelly

Co-Owner of High Sierra Divers
Tina specializes in Sales, Repairs and Travel at the store. She is very knowledgeable in these areas and is always willing to share that knowledge. Tina prefers warm water diving, but will still be seen on many of our local trips. She is responsible for the great appearance of the shop and displays. Tina also enjoys horseback riding and spending time with her daughter, Cambria.

Instructors

Jim
Jim Nordstrom

Instructor
Jim is a former owner who still teaches classes. He has always striven to aspire to the highest levels of teaching, and encourages his students to do the same. Jim also volunteers with Wave Camp at Sacramento State every year, where he conducts SCUBA experiences for severely handicapped children. Jim is a Doctor of Dentistry and has a degree in Odontology (Forensic Dentistry). Jim is an avid sailor and lives in Puerto Vallarta part of the year. Jim is also a Red Cross First Aid CPR Instructor.
Jack
Jack Brokaw

SSI Divemaster Instructor
Jack received his original open water certification with High Sierra Divers in 1994, became a Dive Master in 2002 and an Instructor in 2006. He teaches three or four classes per year and helps his dive buddy, Marc Davis, with his Open Water Classes also. He is proud to be a North Coast cold water diver and has been with High Sierra Divers on warm water dives to Roatan, Utila, Bonaire, Turk, Palau, Fiji, and the Maldives. He loves underwater photography and says his best dive is 'wherever the next one will be'.
Ed
Ed Phillips

SSI OW Instructor
Ed was certified by High Sierra Divers in 2006. Ed has logged over 450 recreational dives, including trips to Hawaii, Micronesia, the Caribbean, the Southern Pacific, the Maldives, PNG, Australia, and many dives off the coast of California. After his Open Water certification, Ed's passion for diving led him to continue with his training, and enjoys working with the new divers as well as conducting refresher classes. Ed also enjoys other sports such as running and football (watching, of course!). Ed is interested in photography, both in and out of the water. In Ed's other life, he is a software/web developer. He created and maintains the current HSD website.
 Rob
Rob Flecksteiner

SSI OW Instructor
Bio coming soon!

Assistant Instructors

Bekah
Bekah Phillips

Dive Master
Bekah was certified in 2006, along with her husband Ed (above). Her passion for diving grew after seeing seahorses, and she now collects pretty much anything having to do with them. She has traveled along with her husband to many different countries with the High Sierra Divers travel group. She has recently received her certification as a dive master and provides an interesting perspective for the new female divers. She has plans to advance to Assistant Instructor in the near future. In her other life, Bekah is a massage therapist, and is considered one of the best in the Roseville/Auburn area.
 Nick W
Nick Wheeler

Assistant Instructor
Bio coming soon!
 Nick T
Nick Tshenko

Assistant Instructor
Bio coming soon!

Divemasters

Phil
Phil Easley

Dive Master
Phil also has the following qualifications: He is a TDI Nitrox Diver with over 100 logged dives. He is a current Dive Master for the Nevada County Sheriff's Department Dive Team. He has been diving since 2004. Phil is also a USCG licensed ship captain (50 ton Master on Inland Waters and 100 Ton OUPV (Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels) Near Coastal to 100 miles off shore). His hobbies are hunting, fishing, spear fishing and sailing. Phil also enjoys ranching, farming, law enforcement, horseback riding and mule packing.