Slate Announced for 2026-2028 Board of Directors Election

 **Write-in Candidates must be submitted to DEMA no later than 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time on September 8, 2025**

DEMA is proud to announce the candidates for the upcoming 2026–2028 Board of Directors election. These dedicated professionals represent a wide range of expertise and experience across the diving industry. Each candidate brings a unique perspective and a shared commitment to advancing the goals of DEMA and supporting the global dive community.

The candidates for the 2026-2028 DEMA Board of Directors are: 

CATEGORY A1
Manufacturers, Distributors and Affiliated Field/Sales Representatives:

• Patrick Danko, Garmin
• Richard Vaughn, Shearwater

CATEGORY A2
Diver Certification and Training Agencies, and Affiliated Field/Sales Representative:

• Sabatino Bianco, RAID USA
• Jim Gunderson, Scuba Educators International
• JoAnn (Haack) Perry, Divers Alert Network

CATEGORY A3
Dive Publishing, Media, Dive Industry Consulting, Associations & Non-Retail Service Providers:

• Jeffrey Bozanic, Next Generation Services
• Jeff Cinciripino, Scuba Educational Alliance of Connecticut
• Peter Symes, AquaScope Media

CATEGORY A4
Retail Distribution of Diving Goods & Services

• Brooke Speedy, Leaird’s Underwater Service

CATEGORY A5
Dive Travel Provider or Resort

• Jason Belport, Clearly Cayman Dive Resorts

DEMA Members interested in running in the 2026-2028 Board election can still be included on the ballot by becoming write-in candidates. For further details and deadline information, interested Members should complete the Board Election Write-In Nominee Request. Write-in Candidates must be submitted to DEMA no later than 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time on September 8, 2025.

NOTE: Write-in candidates and those petitioning for them must be current 2025 DEMA Members AND must be renewed for 2026 by the date of record for the election.

Voting will take place from 11/11/25 to 1/26/26. To be eligible to vote, you must be a 2026 DEMA Member by 1/12/26.

For membership information, please contact membership@dema.org or (858) 616-6408. In accordance with the DEMA Bylaws, Directors serve three-year terms. More information on DEMA's Board of Directors and Bylaws is available on DEMA.org.