Fort Collins, CO. Scuba Schools International (SSI), the premier education and business support company applauds the 2008 SSI Platinum Pro5000 Divers & Instructors. These individuals can be defined as the world's most elite water explorers. The list of cardholders is a "who's who" of diving, containing the world's most prominent dive leaders, scientists, photographers, manufacturers, retailers, and resort operators.

What makes the award so special is that it's all about diving. The unsung dive master on any island and Jacques Cousteau earned their cards the same way--by diving 5,000 times, or diving 2,500 times and making a documented / significant contribution to the recreational scuba diving industry. The Platinum Pro5000 card cannot be purchased. Individuals must apply for the award and be recommended in writing by two Platinum Pros.

The 2008 Platinum Pro 5000 Diver inductees are:

• John Akins, USA
• Dan Badgley, USA
• Luca Barbieri, Italy
• Tiziana Barni, Italy
• Tom Bartley, USA
• Paulo Guilherme A. Cajalanti, Brazil
• Ronald Carlo, USA
• Salvatore Catania, Italy
• Alberto Catinelli, Egypt
• Jimmy Choo, Singapore
• Mauro Cicerchia, Italy
• Thomas E. Clark, USA
• Dee Covert, USA
• Serge De Groote, Bonaire
• Gabriele Del Duca, Italy
• Anna DeLoach. USA
• Koen De Wit, Thailand
• Michael Eversmier, USA
• Mark Fowler, USA
• Julio Cesar Francia, Spain
• Joseph T. Giacinto Virgin, Gorda
• Gary Hawkes, Thailand
• David Hinkle, USA
• Hershell Lamar Hires, USA
• Tom Hopkins, USA
• Robert F. Huff, USA
• Richard J. "Dick" Hurlbut, Philippines
• James Ikerd, USA
• Tom Ingram, USA
• Jim Johnson, USA
• Rob Keersmaekers, Belgium
• Clarence Kugelberg, Thailand
• Debborah Lecocq, USA
• Samuel Lecocq, USA
• Capt.Gary Mace, USA
• Mike McCrory, USA
• David J. McKenney, USA
• Ronald Menke, USA
• Harold W. Moose Jr., USA
• Kevin Morgan, Thailand
• Michael Musto, USA
• Flavio Olmeda, Italy
• Stephen D. Phillips, USA
• Gabor Pichler, Hungary
• Jerry L. Portwood, USA
• Jean Pierre Prina, Vietnam
• Diane Richards, USA
• Jim Richards, USA
• Britt Ross, USA
• Thomas Smedley, USA
• Matee Srisawat, Thailand
• Jess Loren Stark, USA
• Ronald "Rogest" Steven, Canada
• Gary Taylor, USA
• Stefano Terribile, Italy
• Peter Uhrovcsik, Austria
• Steven M. Weaver, USA
• Kathy A. Weydig, USA
• Curtis Wiessner, USA
• Cristina Zenato, Bahamas
• Eric Zwanenburg, Mexico The 2008 Platinum Pro 5000 Instructor inductees are:
• Eric V. Keibler, USA
• Forrest L. Phillips, USA
• Thomas P. Sinel, Canada
• Mark A. Tant, USA
• Steven L. Woerner, USA
• Ronny Kain, Germany
• Oliver Lutz, Germany
• Jesus Corzo Caballes, Spain
• Herman Van Leeuwen, Spain We feel proud and privileged to acknowledge their accomplishments.