
DEMA Reaching Out Award
Last updated: December 20, 2019 at 20:50 pm
The Reaching Out Award was first presented by DEMA in 1989. The original intent was to recognize individuals who have made a significant contribution to the sport of diving by “reaching out” in some special way to improve the sport for everyone.
The DEMA Show is produced by DEMA, The Diving Equipment & Marketing Association.


2019
SLATE, Capt. Spencer Slate (Education & Training)
ZIGAHN, Armand “Zig” & JoAnn (Education & Industry Growth)
2018
BROOKS, Ernie (Education & Photography)
PEYTON, Margo (Education & Industry Growth)
2017
HORNSBY, Al
McNEESE, Doug
2016
AKINS, Lad
LEANEY, Leslie
2015
GATACRE, Jim
VANN, Dr. Richard
2014
HAMMER, Patrick
PECHTER, Alese & Morton
2013
COVE, Stuart – Travel
SOMERS, Dr. Lee – Education
2012
ORR, Dan – Education & Safety
RUTKOWSKI, Richard – Education & Safety
2011
BATHGATE, Fraser – Education
HUGHES, Peter – Travel
2010
JONES, Dr. Jose – Educator
NICKLIN, Chuck – Photographer, Cinematog- rapher
2009
HIGH, Bill – Safety Research & Education
LANG, Michael – Diving Science & Education
2008
LEE, Clement – Dive Travel
SNYDERMAN, Marty – Photography
2007
DOUBILET, David – Photographer
SOTO, Bob – Dive Travel
2006
HUMANN, Paul – Author/Photographer
NESBIT, John – Training (posthumously)
2005
ICORN, Nick – Training Agencies
WATSON, Neal – Travel Destinations
2004
LONG, Dick – Manufacturer
RICHARDSON, Drew – Training Agencies
2003
CHURCH, Jim – Photographer/Educator
CHRISTINI, Ed – Training Agencies
GALLAGHER, Jean – Educator
2002
KIPP, Ron – Travel Destinations
JEHLE, Charlie – Manufacturer
HARDY, Jon – Educator
BENNETT, Dr. Peter B. – Educator
2001
BRIGHAM, Ike – Manufacturer
CAHILL, James – Retailer
TAYLOR, David – Environmental Award
2000
CHURCH, Cathy – Photographer
HOLLIS, Bob – Manufacturer
SHEARER, Gordon – Manufacturer
1999
CUSSLER, Clive – Author
GIDDINGS, Al – Photography/Cinematography
HALL, Howard – Photography/Cinematography
MERKER, Ron – Retailer/Educator
1998
GAFFNEY, John – Training Agencies
CLARK, Bob – Training Agencies
STEWART, Captain Don – Travel Destinations
1997
DORSEY, Joe – Retailer
HASS, Dr. Hans – Photography & Cinema
TZIMOULIS, Paul – Photojournalist
1996
McANIFF, John – Educator
MORGAN, Bev – Manufacturer
WEISS, Fred – Manufacturer
1995
GRAY, Robert – The DEMA Show
1994
AUXIER, Jim – Creator of Skin Diver Magazine
BLAKESLEE, Chuck – Creator of Skin Diver
BRIDGES, Lloyd – Actor
COUSTEAU, J-M – Environmentalist & Explorer
1993
CARPENTER, Scott – Explorer & Author
CLARK, Eugenie – Marine Biologist
PARRY, Zale – Actress
1992
BONIN, Dick – Manufacturer
ERICKSON, Ralph – Training Agencies
KEVORKIAN, Michael – Inventor, Educator & Retailer
SCALLI, Frank – Training Agencies
1991
CRONIN, John – Training Agencies
DAVISON, Sam Jr. – Manufacturer
EARLE, Dr. Sylvia – Marine Biologist
POST, Arnold – Retailer
STEWART, James – Scripps Inst. of Ocean.
1990
CROSS, E.R. – Educator
MEISTRELL, Bill & Bob – Manufacturers
KELLY, T.A. “Mike” – Founder of DEMA
TILLMAN, Al – Training Agencies
1989
COUSTEAU, Jacques-Yves – Environmentalist, Explorer & Inventor
EGSTROM, Dr. Glen – Educator
McKENNEY, Jack – Photography & Cinema
WATERMAN, Stan – Photography & Cinema

