When a Downers Grove native reflected on his journey from a small‑classroom student at College of DuPage (COD) to the chief executive of a nonprofit, the story was as much about community roots as it was about personal ambition.
From COD classrooms to the open water
After graduating from Downers Grove North High School, he chose to attend COD in 1975, then a modest campus of trailers and temporary buildings. The intimate setting allowed him to work for the college newspaper, where he learned reporting basics and, driven by curiosity, learned to scuba dive to better cover stories about marine explorers.
Scuba quickly became more than a hobby. The weightlessness and confidence it offered sparked a lifelong passion. He continued his journalism studies at Northern Illinois University, later joining the Chicago Tribune, WGN radio, and helping launch CLTV news for the Tribune Company.
Turning personal challenges into purpose
When his daughter was born blind, he began guiding blind skiers, recognizing the transformative power of adaptive sports. This experience led him to wonder how scuba could benefit individuals with disabilities. In 1997 he started teaching scuba to people with disabilities, and in 2001 he founded DiveHeart, a nonprofit based in Downers Grove that opens the underwater world to those who might never otherwise experience it.
Since its inception, DiveHeart has provided adaptive scuba programs for veterans, seniors, and children with various disabilities, emphasizing confidence, independence and self‑esteem. The organization’s growth reflects a broader community commitment to inclusion and service.
Celebrating a milestone
2026 marks DiveHeart’s 25th anniversary. COD honored its alumnus with a distinguished alumni feature that appeared on the cover of the college’s magazine and on a pull‑up banner in the student union, reaching a quarter‑million readers. The recognition highlighted how the college’s small‑class, hands‑on approach helped launch a career that blends media influence with charitable leadership.
“College of DuPage gave me more than a degree; it gave me a launchpad,” he said. “The lessons of trying new things and diving into the unknown have carried me from a shy kid who avoided the dance floor to a CEO changing lives.”
Looking ahead
As DiveHeart looks to the future, it plans to expand its programs, partner with more local schools and veteran groups, and continue demonstrating how adaptive recreation can build stronger families and communities. The story underscores the lasting impact of local education and faith‑based service on both individual lives and the broader Downers Grove area.
Original reporting: Positively Naperville (Aurora area) — read the source article.
