Get to know the Crew
Jerry Williams
100 Ton Master Captain and PADI IDC Staff Instructor
Capt. Jerry is known around Siesta key as the pretty face of scuba (his words).
In 1979, he experienced his first dive with his Uncle Gene who took him to a pool for his 6th Birthday. That pool dive set in motion his love for diving. In 1986, Jerry got certified as a PADI Junior Open Water Diver.
He served in both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Coast Guard and, in 2007, went on to work as a professional dive instructor in the Caribbean and all over Florida.
Capt. Jerry takes great pride in training and running dive trips though the keys. He has certified hundreds of divers throughout the years.
He can always be found helping divers and boaters alike enjoy the waters of the Siesta Key.
Jerry’s Quote:
“Is hero too strong a word?”
Ryan
Master Captain and PADI Divemaster
There are no seas too high, no wind too strong. Encounter an issue, Ryan will solve it without even taking his eyes off the horizon.
Captain Ryan is a Marine who served our country honorably prior to serving us again, as a Police Officer. He and his K-9 partner kept the streets of Ohio safe for more than 20 years.
Now he and his Huka crew-mates continue to use their super powers for good; keeping weekend warriors safe on the beaches and waterways of Venice, Florida.
Ryan should not have survived his adventures in Guam (for real, ask him about the underside of a submarine!). Regardless, we are so fortunate that he did!!
Ryan is one of the longest tenured team member at Keys Huka Dive for a reason. He is an amazing Captain who will ensure that your day is adventurous, safe and organized.
Ryan’s quote:
“The green ones are the best.”
Jon
Master Captain and PADI Divemaster
Born on a farm in rural Ohio, Jon moved to Miami before high school and made Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys his backyard playground.
Growing up, he enjoyed many pleasure boats: Boston Whaler 13, Mako 22, Catalina 22 sailboat, and Dusky 23.
He later worked on Fisher Island ferries in Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale water taxis.
A UCF graduate with a degree in Health Service Administration, Jon retired early from a career in cardiac sonography to satisfy his wanderlust.
In the past decade, he twice completed the Great Loop in a Mainship trawler; twice attempted the 300-mile Everglades Challenge in a self-built wooden sailing kayak; explored the U.S. and Canada as a full-time RV nomad; and hiked the 170-mile Camino de Santiago in Portugal and numerous segments of the Appalachian Trail.
A licensed 100-ton Masters USCG Captain, he also has earned Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver and Divemaster certifications.
When he’s not on the water, Jon is playing tennis or hitting golf balls.
Jon’s quote:
“Let’s go fishin’!”
Janell
Master Captain and PADI Divemaster
Janell is as Florida as flip-flops and gator sightings! A true sports fanatic and nature lover, she’s spent more time outdoors than a beach chair at spring break. Growing up, she dominated the softball field and later the volleyball court, and she still loves to spike and swing for fun. But the ocean? It’s had her on speed dial since day one. Janell has racked up more hours on the water than a pelican; reeling in monster fish, lobsters the size of small dogs, and enough scallops to start her own seafood buffet.
Now that her kids are older (and she’s free from chauffeuring them to practice), she decided to dive headfirst into a new challenge. In just five short months, she breezed through the Divemaster program, all while managing a household that would give a circus ringmaster a run for their money. And because she never does things halfway, she went ahead and snagged her Master Captain’s license too.
So if you’re up for an adventure, let Janell take you on a journey under the sea—just don’t be surprised if she out-swims the fish!
Janell’s Quote:
“Captain by day, fish-whisperer by night, just another day in the life of a Florida girl!”
Wes
PADI Divemaster
Wes is an actual Florida native; they do exist! He worked several part time jobs while growing up in Florida; including fisherman extraordinaire and secret agent (leaping tall buildings in a single bound and photographing goats in trees).
Wes decided he wanted to do more than just fish. He applied himself to studying of the migration of prehistoric sharks from the Boneyard in Venice to the Mariana Trench. While Wes was in high demand as both a high stakes gambling influencer and a highly skilled sushi chef, his love of the sea ultimately won his heart.
At this point it was all over for Wes, he responded to a social media ad from Captain Jerry and his destiny was forever changed. Wes mastered both the academics and practical skills of the training, quickly earning his Padi Divemaster. Wes is a valuable member of the Keys Huka Dive Team.
Wes’s Quote:
“Just dive already!”
Chris
PADI Divemaster
Born in Huntsville, AL, Chris is basically a human GPS after spending his childhood moving all over the U.S. His father was a Marine, so they packed their bags more often than a reality TV star on the run.
He briefly played soccer in college, but let’s be real—he joined the Army after realizing he was better at dodging bullets than soccer balls.
After his Army adventure, he hit up Oklahoma University, where he discovered rugby (because who wouldn’t want to tackle their friends while pretending it’s a sport?).
Post-college, he played a game called “What Do I Want to Be When I Grow Up?”, which involved a lot of bouncing around the U.S. (like a confused pinball).
In 2010, he finally settled in Florida and became a CrossFit coach. Because nothing says, “I love working out”, like shouting at people while they lift heavy things.
He then took a detour to Sint Maarten for two years, where he became obsessed with scuba diving.
Now, a few years later, he’s still trying to figure out what he wants to do when he grows up, but at least he can hold his breath for a really long time!
Chris’s Quote:
“The world is full of color you can’t see until you step outside your comfort zone.”
Haylee
Business Operations Manager, Master Captain and PADI Divemaster
Haylee is a born and raised Florida native. She has lived in many locations throughout the state, including Panama City and the Florida Keys. She has worked a variety of jobs, from librarian to bartender.
Haylee came to Keys Huka Dive in January of 2020. In just five months, she went from never even seen Scuba gear before, to a certified Divemaster. While swiftly moving through the dive certification courses, she also hunkered down and worked on earning her 6-Pack Captain’s and Master Captain’s licenses.
After earning her certifications and licenses, Haylee moved to the Florida Keys to become a “professional turtle stalker”. There, she worked diligently with first-time divers; introducing them to the underwater world and finding as many sea creatures as possible up and down the gorgeous reefs.
She enjoys traveling the world in her free time. Currently, she works remotely from Germany; handling paperwork and technical duties for Keys Huka Dive in between exploring French vineyards and German castles.
Haylee’s Quote:
“Tell me I can’t do it.”
Kim Williams
Chief Financial Officer and Queen of Everything
Kim has worked as a CPA and Finance Director for several Florida state government agencies during her career. While she loved her career, she wanted more than just a desk in her life; so she decided to check out scuba diving.
She met the good Capt. Jerry as a dive student in Mexico Beach, Florida. Once she completed her advanced diver certification, Kim decided to ask the good Captain out for a few drinks after the dive trip. Well, it just so happened that the good Capt. Jerry had his eye on Kim, as well. After pursuing the young Captain for many, many years, she finally won the big door prize! She is now Mrs. Capt. Jerry Williams.
She is the backbone of Keys Huka Dive. With Kim’s extensive experience in financial management (as well as early childhood development), she is keeping the business and the good Capt. Jerry in order. Although Kim holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Florida State, she still wishes she could be a Florida Gator.
Kim’s Quote:
“Play the long game, ladies!”