Jason brought his experience as an outdoor educator to the DiVentures team in December 2011. He earned his PADI certification while serving four years in the US Navy as a Hospital Corpsman, and still enjoys spending as much time in the water as possible.
As an outdoor enthusiast, Jason earned his bachelor’s degree from Drury University as double major (Environmental Science, Biology) and completed the National Outdoor Leadership School’s (NOLS) Outdoor Educator Semester in the Rockies. After learning the skills to teach wilderness expedition leadership, back country travel, and Leave No Trace Ethics, Jason began work with the Leadership Ranch in Republic, MO.
At Leadership Ranch, Jason continued teaching classes on leadership, group dynamics, self determination theory, and emotional intelligence to corporate organizations, academic clubs, sports teams, public administrators and educators.
His work includes teaching all levels of education from grade schools to university programs. As a side project, he founded the OWLS (Ozarks Wilderness Leadership School) program to inspire others to get outside to enjoy the great outdoors. After creating this program, Jason began teaching rock climbing, canoeing & kayaking, backpacking, camping, and snorkeling skills right here in the rivers and mountains of the Ozarks.
The main focus of these classes revolved around Leave No Trace principles, leadership, teamwork, and self-determination theories. As a DiVentures employee and a Missouri Stream Team member, Jason hopes to expand his skill set as a diver/snorkeler and to facilitate educational classes focused on local water systems.
