The years have tamed Mark somewhat from his boyhood where he could usually be found running through the muddy Mississippi Delta bottomlands of Eastern Arkansas on three day stretches barefooted, wearing nothing more than cutoff jeans and carrying only what would fit in the pockets. He still retains a love for minimalistic wilderness self-reliance but, as an engineer, also thoroughly enjoys high tech outdoor adventure. In addition to being a PADI SCUBA Instructor since 1993, he is also a BSA Level II Climbing and Rappelling Instructor, Emergency First Response Instructor, Wilderness First Aid Instructor, High Adventure Trek Director, Wilderness Self Reliance Instructor, Buffalo River Trail and Canoe Guide, Lifeguard, and all around Adventureneer.
Mark is a firm believer in teaching conservation by choice through changing hearts and minds to love our natural environment rather than laws that force them to comply with reluctant hearts and resentful minds. He is a proud supporter of Leave No Trace® and Project AWARE®.
Dive Specialties (15)
Altitude diver
Boat diver
Coral conservation
Deep diving
Diver propulsion vehicle (DPV)
Drift diver
Equipment specialist
Night diver
Nitrox
Peak performance buoyancy (PPB)
Search & Recovery Diver
Sidemount diver
Solo Diving
Trimix Diver
Wreck diver
Dive Certifications/Status (2)