Meet the Crew
We are a family business, and the best part is the large dive family that shares our love of the underwater world! The professional staff here at Stuart Scuba have many years of dive experience and are waiting to share that with you.
In the Shop:
Benjamin & Nikki Hadfield - Managing Partners
Benjamin is a highly respected diving instructor trainer, technical diving expert, and Adaptive/Classified Diving Instructor Trainer. Benjamin is known for his YouTube channel, "Teach Me to Dive," which provides free scuba lessons, gear reviews, and industry interviews. His diving and business development background uniquely positions him to lead Stuart Scuba.
Nikki, a certified technical diver and instructor, combines her passion for diving with her expertise as an Architect. Her project management skills will drive Stuart Scuba’s growth, with a special focus on women's involvement in the sport.
Peter Friedman - Partner/Founder
Peter has been diving recreationally and technically since the 1970s in New York and New England. He is also an experienced cave diver and instructor. Originally an electrical engineer, Peter opened his first dive shop in Orlando in 2004 while managing his engineering business. In 2011, he co-founded Stuart Scuba in Martin County and eventually sold his engineering company to focus entirely on diving. Peter holds instructor certifications with NAUI, SDI, IANTD, DAN, and PADI, as well as Course Director and Examiner levels. He specializes in cave diving, rebreathers, and technical instruction, and serves as Director of Operations for both dive shops.
Matt Siegel – Operations Manager
Matt has been scuba diving and managing the complexities of the dive business for nearly a decade. You will find Matt an excellent diver when you dive with him, but more importantly, he knows about recommending the right dive equipment, training, and dive sites. So feel free to avail yourself of his expertise and concern for customer satisfaction.
Su Hallenbeck - Instructor
Su, is one of our talented instructors at Stuart Scuba in Stuart, Florida. Originally hailing from Ohio, Su embarked on her diving journey in 2012 in Northern Virginia, taking the plunge before a vacation. After experiencing the vibrant blue waters of Costa Rica, she became hooked on diving for life.
Su achieved her PADI Divemaster certification in 2016, became an instructor in 2017, and earned her PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer status in 2018. She is also cross-certified as an instructor through SDI. After relocating with her husband, Bill—also a diving enthusiast—from the DC area to Port St. Lucie, Su joined the Stuart Scuba team and is now truly "living the dream."
Her dive adventures have taken her to breathtaking locations, including the Philippines, Central America, Mexico, the Middle East, Hawai'i, and the Caribbean. One of her most unforgettable experiences was swimming alongside a whale shark at Tubbataha Reef at a depth of 60 feet.
Su has a passion for teaching Open Water courses, where she introduces students to their underwater superpower—flying beneath the waves! Known as the "eel whisperer," she can help you find eels on your dives, so don’t hesitate to follow her! Dive into an adventure with Su at Stuart Scuba!
In the Water:
Christy Campbell – Instructor Trainer
Christy Campbell, our dedicated Instructor Trainer at Stuart Scuba in Stuart, Florida. Christy began her diving journey in 1989 off the beautiful coast of San Diego. After a twenty-one-year hiatus to focus on her education and career, she relocated to Florida in 2001 to work with a local dentist.
Years later, Christy rediscovered her passion for diving and returned to the underwater world by getting recertified as an Open Water Diver. By chance, her PADI instructor was a PADI Course Director who recognized her potential and mentored her toward becoming a certified Scuba Instructor.
An avid underwater photographer, Christy not only shares her expertise through teaching but also leads exciting dive trips around the globe. Join Christy at Stuart Scuba to enhance your diving skills and explore the underwater world together!
Paul Seldes – Course Director
Paul Seldes, a seasoned dive instructor and Course Director at Stuart Scuba in Stuart, Florida. Paul embarked on his diving journey in 1978 when he took his first NAUI dive class. He is a familiar face in the local diving community, often found serving as crew or guiding dive trips along Florida’s stunning Treasure Coast with Stuart Scuba.
As an SDI Course Director, Paul teaches a wide range of SDI specialty classes, in addition to being a TDI Technical Dive Instructor and NAUI instructor. He holds advanced training certifications in dive medicine, search and rescue, and emergency response, ensuring that he is well-prepared for any diving situation.
When he's not diving, Paul works for a government contractor, providing essential homeland security and emergency management services. He also has certifications in Fire/Rescue, EMS, and law enforcement and is recognized as a certified Florida Professional Emergency Manager (FPEM) and a Florida State Fire College Instructor. Join Paul at Stuart Scuba to elevate your diving skills and gain invaluable insights from his extensive experience!
Shawn Robotka - Technical Instructor
Shawn Robotka, one of our esteemed technical instructors at Stuart Scuba in Stuart, Florida. With a deep passion for the underwater world, Shawn is particularly fond of seals and sea lions. He is a Staff Instructor certified to teach all levels of recreational and technical diving, including Advanced Trimix on both open-circuit and closed-circuit rebreather (CCR) units.
Shawn's expertise in technical diving ensures that students receive top-notch training in both open-circuit systems and CCR techniques, making him an invaluable resource for divers looking to enhance their skills in complex underwater environments. His favorite dive spot is the Ande wreck off the coast of Palm Beach, which lies at a depth of 195 feet, offering an exhilarating experience for advanced divers.
Whether you’re interested in mastering advanced diving techniques or exploring the exciting realm of rebreathers, Shawn is here to guide you on your journey at Stuart Scuba. Join him to elevate your diving experience and discover the wonders of technical diving!
Jennifer Jennings - Technical Instructor/Crew
Jennifer, an experienced instructor at Stuart Scuba in Stuart, Florida. Hailing from the Bucks County area of Philadelphia, she is just an hour from both the New Jersey shore and Dutch Springs, a renowned dive spot in Bethlehem, PA, where she gained much of her diving experience. With 27 years of diving under her belt, Jennifer began her journey at just 14 years old during a family trip to St. Maarten, where she completed a Discover Scuba course. This sparked her passion for diving, leading her to earn her Open Water Diver certification that same summer at Dutch Springs.
Dedicated to continuous growth, Jennifer has taken multiple continuing education courses each summer, further expanding her diving skills. In June 2003, she became a certified instructor and now teaches a wide range of courses through both PADI and SDI/TDI, from entry-level classes to advanced technical diving, including the Inspiration closed-circuit rebreather.
In addition to her teaching role, Jennifer serves as the Operations Manager for Silent Diving LLC, the exclusive distributor for AP Diving Inspiration Closed Circuit Rebreathers and Ambient Pressure Diving LTD products across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Jennifer's love for diving extends to her favorite locations, including the breathtaking deep walls of the Cayman Islands, the convenient shore diving in Bonaire, and the fascinating WWII wrecks off the coast of North Carolina. She has a special fondness for sea turtles, her favorite creatures of the underwater world. Join Jennifer at Stuart Scuba to learn from her extensive experience and explore the beauty of diving in Florida and beyond!
Nick Barrett - PADI IDC Staff Instructor/SDI Instructor
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Donna Barrett - PADI MSDT/SDI Instructor
Meet Nick and Donna, two passionate diving instructors at Stuart Scuba, who have traded their corporate careers in the Washington, D.C. area for the vibrant diving culture of South Florida. With over 15 years of diving experience and more than a decade as certified instructors, they are dedicated to sharing their love of the underwater world with others.
Nick and Donna specialize in teaching Rescue Diver courses, which they believe are essential for all divers. As Nick puts it, “It’s one of the most valuable life lesson courses for the whole family. It teaches you how to mitigate risks and calmly assist in all types of emergency situations, even outside of diving.” He recalls a moment when he used his Emergency First Responder training to help a stranger in a restaurant, while others stood frozen in shock. His quick actions earned him VIP treatment on future visits—just one example of the real-life applications of their diving training.
Both instructors knew diving would shape their future, helping them plan and achieve their retirement goals. Nick and Donna's favorite diving adventures include exploring breathtaking reefs and wrecks around the globe. They make it a priority to plan an annual bucket list dive trip, having explored remarkable sites in Bonaire, Indonesia’s Wakatobi, the British Virgin Islands, Micronesia’s Palau and Yap, and the stunning waters of Bimini, Bahamas.
As accomplished sailors, they regularly navigate the short distance to the Bahamas, where they enjoy local diving around the islands. “You could say we are shark dive junkies! Any chance we get to be in close proximity to these fantastic creatures is a bonus,” they share.
Join Nick and Donna at Stuart Scuba to learn from their extensive experience and discover the beauty of diving in Florida and beyond!
Rich Barrett - IDC Staff Instructor
Rich Barrett, an IDC Staff Instructor at Stuart Scuba, who brings a wealth of diving experience to our team. Originally from the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area, Rich began his underwater journey by earning his Open Water certification on the stunning Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Cairns, Australia.
Rich has achieved numerous certifications, including PADI IDC Staff Instructor, SDI/TDI Instructor, and DAN Instructor. With hundreds of training dives conducted at Dutch Springs in Pennsylvania, he made the move to Florida to dive and teach in the warmer waters of the Sunshine State.
His diving adventures have taken him to some of the most beautiful destinations in the world, including Bonaire, Australia, Mexico, Roatan in Honduras, Dominica, Puerto Rico, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Rich particularly enjoys shore diving in Bonaire and recreational wreck diving off the coast of North Carolina, as well as technical wreck diving for those seeking an extra challenge.
Join Rich at Stuart Scuba to benefit from his extensive knowledge and passion for diving, and explore the vibrant underwater world of South Florida and beyond!
On the Boat:
Brad Kassay - USCG Captain/ Instructor
Brad Kassay, a seasoned USCG Captain and instructor at Stuart Scuba with over two decades of diving experience. Originally from Chicago, Brad holds a USCG 100-ton Master License and is qualified as an instructor with both SDI and PADI.
When he's not captaining or crewing at Stuart Scuba, Brad works with a salvage operation based on Florida's Treasure Coast, showcasing his diverse skills and deep commitment to the diving community.
Brad's favorite dive sites include the stunning underwater landscapes of Cayman Brac, known for its vibrant marine life, including the fascinating Caribbean Reef Squid. Locally, he highly recommends diving at the Lemon Drop off Juno Ledge, where divers can experience the rich biodiversity of the area.
If you're fortunate enough to dive with Brad, you’ll witness his impressive lobster-hunting skills firsthand, adding an exciting element to your underwater adventure.
Join Brad at Stuart Scuba for an unforgettable diving experience filled with knowledge, adventure, and the beauty of Florida’s underwater world!
Scott Stulb – USCG Master/Captain, SDI Instructor, PADI MSDT
Scott's lifelong passion for the ocean runs deep. Growing up on Shark River Bay and the beautiful beaches of Avon-by-the-Sea and Belmar, NJ, he has always felt a strong connection to the sea. One of his earliest memories is swimming in the ocean with his parents, and he was even baptized by his pastor in the waves. Inspired by his childhood hero, Jacques Cousteau, Scott began diving in 1982 and earned his certification in 1984.
He has explored the jetties and shipwrecks of the Jersey Shore and dedicated six years to Ocean Rescue. Afterward, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving as an infantryman until he was placed on Disability Retirement due to injuries sustained during combat operations in the Middle East. After his recovery, Scott returned to his true passion—diving.
His journey has taken him to dive centers throughout the Caribbean, where he worked as a Divemaster, Instructor, and Boat Captain. Most recently, he served as a diver at The National Aquarium in Baltimore and trained County Sheriff Deputies and firefighters for their dive teams in West Virginia.
Now residing in Martin County with his wife and daughter—both certified divers—Scott is a valuable addition to our exceptional team at Stuart Scuba. Join him to share in his love for the ocean and experience unforgettable underwater adventures!
Mark Nevin – USCG Master/Captain, Technical Instructor 
Mark, an expert technical diver, Rebreather Instructor, and 100-ton captain at Stuart Scuba. With a passion for sharing his extensive knowledge of diving and decompression theory, Mark is dedicated to helping students and clients enhance their skills and confidence underwater.
His favorite dive spots in West Palm Beach, such as Shark Canyon, The Ande, Korimu, and Sloan’s Curve, offer incredible opportunities for exploration and adventure. Whether he's guiding dives, operating the dive boat, or teaching advanced rebreather techniques, Mark brings enthusiasm and expertise to every dive experience.
When he’s not on the boat or in the classroom, you can find Mark capturing stunning underwater photography or exploring captivating caves. Join Mark at Stuart Scuba for an unforgettable journey into the depths of the ocean, where you can learn from a seasoned professional and discover the beauty of technical diving!
Jay Perreault - Instructor/ Divemaster/ Guide
Jay, a passionate scuba instructor at Stuart Scuba who has brought his love for diving from New England to Port St. Lucie, where he relocated in the spring of 2019. Jay discovered the thrill of scuba diving in 2003 while vacationing in Cancun and initially dove as an open-water diver for many years. His journey led him to become a Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, and ultimately an Instructor certified by SDI and PADI.
Jay takes great pride in helping nervous divers overcome their anxieties, ensuring they feel comfortable and confident underwater. He enjoys local dive sites such as Juno Ledge and the numerous wrecks and artificial reefs, including the famous Ana Cecilia.
Among Jay's favorite aquatic creatures is the Scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae), known for its striking yellow eyes that stand out against dark backgrounds in photographs. With his keen eye for detail, he helps divers spot these masters of camouflage. Always with a smile and a dry sense of humor, Jay is a favorite among our charters. Dive with Jay at Stuart Scuba for an unforgettable experience filled with fun, learning, and adventure!
Kyle Durjan - Divemaster
Introducing Kyle, a dedicated scuba instructor at Stuart Scuba and a proud local from Palm City, Florida. Growing up in a family passionate about diving, Kyle began his underwater journey at a young age, starting with pool sessions alongside his grandparents. With over a decade of serious diving experience, he has progressed through various certifications, from Open Water to Rescue and Stage Decompression.
Kyle’s favorite dive sites include the stunning deep ledge of Jupiter and the renowned Rankin wreck, where he enjoys exploring the vibrant marine life. An avid underwater hunter, Kyle’s top aquatic favorites are anything that tastes delicious, making every dive an exciting culinary adventure.
Outside of diving, Kyle leads an active lifestyle filled with hunting, fishing, mountain biking, and kayaking. He is also a firefighter and enjoys building boats, showcasing his multifaceted talents. Join Kyle at Stuart Scuba for thrilling dive experiences that combine education, adventure, and a passion for the ocean!
