Bob Holston

For the past 40 years Bob Holston has owned and operated a dive center specializing in instruction, retail and charters in Key West, Florida. A certified instructor with all the major U.S. certification agencies, Bob has been actively teaching for almost 40 years. Highlights of Bob’s career include working as a commercial diver and a member of the TEKTITE 1Team, a joint project of the U.S. Navy, NASA and NOAA. This project involved a team of divers living at 60 feet for 60 days.

Bob’s primary interest has been in teaching sport diving and the appreciation of the aquatic environment. As a businessman he realized the importance of involving his customers in protecting the environment. In 1990, Bob testified before Congress requesting nomination of the Florida Keys as a National Marine Sanctuary. Bob has been a member of the FKNMS Advisory Council since its inception, and continues to serve as a member representing Tourism.  In 1993, Bob was awarded the PLATINUM PRO 5000 by SSI and SKINDIVER Magazine for his contributions to the diving industry, alongside other recipients that year Jacques and Jean-Michael Cousteau. His involvement in the industry has included: Chairman of the Board of Directors, Scuba Retailers Association, President of Florida Association of Dive Operators, Retail Advisory Council of DAN, Florida Tourism Advisory Council, current board member of Sanctuary Friends Foundation of the Florida Keys and current President of Keys Association of Dive Operators. Bob and his partner, Cece Roycraft, chaired the fundraising committee for the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center, facilitating state of the art exhibitory for that facility, part of NOAA’s Nancy Foster Complex in Key West. His life endeavors have afforded him the opportunity to share his appreciation of the marine environment and to teach the public conservation and preservation of our natural resources.