Aquatic Safari's Crew
Paul Gregory
Paul is a Wake Forest University graduate who holds a PhD in Chemistry from VA Tech. While in grad school, he learned to SCUBA dive and later became a Dive Master. It was that activity that led him to move to Wilmington and later become co-owner of Aquatic Safaris in 1998. Paul also serves as a Captain aboard one of Aquatic Safaris’ Coast Guard Inspected Vessels.
Michael Winfield
Michael is a Marine Biology graduate of UNCW and wears many hats, including co-owner of Aquatic Safaris. He is a PADI MSDT and DSAT Tec Trimix Instructor, TDI Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures Instructor, a Master Captain, and has DMT and MPIC certifications. Mike is a devoted surfer, giving him something to do when we can’t dive.
Dustin Heath
Dustin is manager of Aquatic Safaris and a graduate of UNCW. He brings a love for diving and, being a local boy, knows where all the good spots are. If he’s not in the shop, chances are he’s on his boat fishing or diving.
Brad Butler
Brad’s passion for SCUBA diving began at age 11. To further his experience and cultivate his passion, Brad has worked for Captain Charlie on the Dive Buddy, volunteered for the NC State SCUBA program, and lived in the Caribbean, working for Broadreach Summer Adventures as an instructor and USCG licensed Captain. He joined Aquatic Safaris in 2008. As an PADI Course Director, Brad has certified students from Open Water Diver to IDC Staff Instructor and teaches many specialties including DAN O2 and Emergency First Response.
Brian Jeno
Brian is a lifelong surfer and fell in love with the underwater universe soon after discovering diving. A graduate of UNCW Parks and Recreation Program and currently enrolled in Cape Fear Community Colleges Marine Technology program, Brian’s life revolves around the ocean! Brian is a PADI Master SCUBA Diver Trainer and USCG Captain. Whether he is freediving, SCUBA diving or surfing he can be found in the water when he is not working.
Brooks Corcoran
Eliza Jones
Eliza graduate with a degree in Environmental Technology and Management from NC State, loves diving and working at Aquatic Safaris.
Juli Schroeger
Juli is a UNCW senior studying Marine Biology. She has been a Divemaster for many years and just completed the PADI IDC and is now an instructor.
Josh Farmer
Josh was certified Junior Open Water at 10 years old and earned his Master SCUBA Diver rating at 14. It was in the cards to complete the PADI IDC and become an instructor.
Kendall Lipsey
Kendall is a UNCW graduate with a degree in Marine Biology.
Pat Carroll
Pat came to Wilmington to attend UNCW where he received his Bachelors as well as his Masters in Marine Science. Currently Pat is responsible for the Aquaculture facility connected to the Center for Marine Science Research at Wrightsville Beach. Pat is one of Aquatic Safaris’ most experienced mates.
Lloyd Brown
Lloyd’s been with us since the beginning. He is an assistant principal at Trask Middle School. He spends some of his summer break crewing with us on the boats.
Andrew King
Drew moved to Wilmington in 1979 to attend UNCW and earn a degree in Marine Biology. Choosing to stay at the beach after college, he has been diving the local wrecks and live bottom areas of our coast ever since. Being certified in 1976, Drew has been diving for over 35 years! Currently Drew is an instructor. His favorite hobbies are spearfishing and underwater photography. You can find Drew most weekends working with students or diving with his family.
Frank Yue
Frank is a native Wilmingtonian who grew up loving the water and has been diving for over 25 years. Frank is working hard to get more youth involved in the sport of scuba diving. He is a PADI MSDT Instructor and spends as much time under the water as possible.
Westley King
Wes started out as boat crew and quickly worked his way up to ship crew. He is a UNCW student. Being a local boy, he’s been fishing and diving our waters all his life. He is a PADI Divemaster working on his DSAT Tec Deep certification.
Greg Woodby
Greg came to Wilmington to attend UNCW. After he received his Bachelors in Marine Science, he became a PADI Instructor. Although he currently works at GE, he prefers driving one of our boats. You can visit his site at www.wilmingtonspearfishing.com.
Neal Cooper
Neal has been crazy about all things diving since he took a SCUBA class at ECU. He is a veteran of the Army 82nd Airborne Division, and graduate of ECU with a degree in Business Administration. For the past few years he has worked in the dive business around North Carolina as well as Central America. He recently moved to Wilmington and joined the Aquatic Safaris crew. Neal is certified in Freediving, Tri-mix Diving, and is an InstructorTrainer with NAUI.
