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Hal Watts, founder and CEO of the Professional Scuba Association (PSA) International, is pleased to announce Joe Odom as President of PSA International, effective Nov. 1, 2004.
Odom was formerly the International Training Director for Technical Diving International (TDI), Scuba Diving International (SDI) and Emergency Response Diving International (ERDI). He has been diving since the mid 1960s and teaching since the late 1970s. He came to the forefront of the industry due to his contributions in cave and mixed gas diving. He is internationally recognized for his numerous understandable textbooks in the various areas of technical diving.
Odom has served two terms as chairman of the board of directors of the Cave Diving Section of the National Speleological Society. He remains an active instructor for the cave community through NSS and NACD. He is highly regarded for first developing widely accepted and understandable recreational rebreather training. He is probably best known for his unmistakable voice and unique teaching style.
"I am so thrilled to have Joe leading PSA International," Watts said. "I have been a friend, dive buddy, panelist and an educator side by side with Joe for many years. For just as many years, I had secretly hoped for this day.
"I have the utmost respect for Joe and his abilities. I have no doubts that with Joe in this leadership role PSA will be innovative and progressive with exciting programs for all divers."
"How could I turn down such an honor from one of technical diving's founders?" Odom said. "It will certainly be a pleasure to be a part of developing the enhanced PSA offerings. I think this even tops the penguins!"
Watts, a.k.a. Mr. Scuba, and his instructional staff began teaching technical diving in 1964. PSA was the first technical agency, founded in 1981. He is a co-founder of the NACD. He was training director for NASDS. During this time he coined the most used phrase in diving, PLAN YOUR DIVE - DIVE YOUR PLAN.
During the early 1960s Watts introduced and named the "octopus" second stage. He also has sat on the advisory boards for NAUI Technical, IANTD and SSI. He has authored numerous books on topics from open water through extended range technical. He was an expert witness during the Federal court proceedings in Washington, D.C., for the right of recreational extended range divers to dive the USS Monitor. He was awarded the prestigious Diver of the Year for Education in 1996 by Beneath the Sea.
Watts has set two Guinness World Book Records and remains a world record holder for diving 415 feet in a cave. He has trained six other scuba world record holders. His reputation of excellence as one of the industries foremost authorities on technical diving is known worldwide.
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