Tony Imperato
US Navy, 1965: Vietnam: Taylor Diving and Salvage, 1968: The supervisor of this project; commercial diver; kissed by lady luck. A man who actually accomplished the life goals he stated as a twenty-two-year-old: travel, make money, and meet gorgeous women!
“This hat fits all sized heads. You put it on!”
Mike Miles
US Army, 1962: Taylor Diving and Salvage, 1967: From a small town in Maine, Mike managed to get hired on at Taylor...twice!
“I can fix anything but a broken heart or the break of day.”
Mike Bech
US Air Force, 1962: Taylor Diving and Salvage, 1969: After growing up in New Orleans, Mike liked the idea of diving but it wasn't until after going out as a welder that he got into the commercial diving industry.
“I was the one doing the job, making it happen.”
Larry Johnson
US Army, 1963: S&H Diving, 1970: Once Larry decided to become a diver, he made that happen despite all the objections and regulations that stated otherwise.
“There’s really only one person you can rely on…yourself.”
Don Shultz
US Army, 1970: J&J, 1972: Don entered the world of diving from the sandy beaches of Greece when he was barely a teenager. When someone mentioned you could make money doing it, he was sold.
“Come. Get my job.”
Cliff Anderson
US Navy: Taylor Diving and Salvage, 1974: After the Navy, he had a couple of years of diving under his belt before coming to Louisiana where he mastered his craft and added others.
“Class is showing up with Cliff Anderson on your arm.”
Al Baker
US Marine: Taylor Diving and Salvage, 1974: From southern California, Al made some questionable decisions before the Marines straightened him out. He found diving and went all in.
“Better than a machine.”
John Luck
Taylor Diving and Salvage, 1964: Originally from England, John moved to America to advance his career and change the trajectory of his life.
“If it can be done, I’m the man to do it.”
Jim Norris
WorldWide Divers, 1967: Originally from small-town Alabama, when a friend told Jim about the opportunities afforded from commercial diving, he immediately jumped on board.
“Sometimes it was just a matter of being in the right place at the right time.”
Frank Hazen
US Army, 1960: Vietnam: Taylor Diving and Salvage, 1969: Even as a young boy, Frank read all he could about diving. He graduated from diving school for the first time in 1964. After a circuitous route he started over in New Orleans at Taylor.
“If something happened to me, someone else screwed up somewhere!”
Howie Carter
US Navy, 1966: Taylor Diving and Salvage, 1971: Howie got into diving by joining the Navy and was a salvage diver during Vietnam.
“If I can’t fix it, nobody can.”
Tom Allen
Marine Contractors: 1973 : Tom found his career path at fifteen when he started scuba diving. He preferred to make his mark as an independent contractor for the majority of his diving career.
“I enjoyed my independence.”
Gerry Baker
Taylor Diving and Salvage, 1974: Gerry was a gentleman who got into diving later in life. I have a hard time imagining him angry, but no trouble imagining him going to bat for his fellow man.
“It was just a matter of keeping my wits about me.”
Bryan Pittari
Taylor Diving and Salvage, 1975: After taking a gap year before dentistry school, Bryan worked as a welder. When he decided to get back to school, fate questioned him. Bryan was quick to respond.