Meet the Crew

We are a family business, and the best part is the large dive family that shares our love of the underwater world! The professional staff here at Stuart Scuba have many years of dive experience and are waiting to share that with you.

In the Shop:

Benjamin & Nikki Hadfield - Managing Partners

Benjamin is a highly respected diving instructor trainer, technical diving expert, and Adaptive/Classified Diving Instructor Trainer. Benjamin is known for his YouTube channel, "Teach Me to Dive," which provides free scuba lessons, gear reviews, and industry interviews. His diving and business development background uniquely positions him to lead Stuart Scuba.

Nikki, a certified technical diver and instructor, combines her passion for diving with her expertise as an Architect. Her project management skills will drive Stuart Scuba’s growth, with a special focus on women's involvement in the sport.

Peter Friedman - Partner/Founder

Peter has been diving recreationally and technically since the 1970s in New York and New England. He is also an experienced cave diver and instructor. Originally an electrical engineer, Peter opened his first dive shop in Orlando in 2004 while managing his engineering business. In 2011, he co-founded Stuart Scuba in Martin County and eventually sold his engineering company to focus entirely on diving. Peter holds instructor certifications with NAUI, SDI, IANTD, DAN, and PADI, as well as Course Director and Examiner levels. He specializes in cave diving, rebreathers, and technical instruction, and serves as Director of Operations for both dive shops.

Matt Siegel – Operations Manager

For over 10 years, Matt has been diving and managing the many moving parts of a busy dive operation. His experience both underwater and behind the scenes gives him a deep understanding of what it takes to create safe, smooth, and enjoyable dive experiences.

When you dive with Matt, you’ll find a confident and capable diver — but his real strength is helping customers make smart decisions. Whether it’s selecting the right equipment, choosing the best training path, or recommending ideal local dive sites, Matt takes the time to ensure each diver gets personalized guidance and outstanding service.

Su Hallenbeck - Instructor and Retail

I love the ocean and diving, and I love to teach.

I primarily teach Open Water classes, Advanced Adventure courses, and a lot of Scuba Refreshers. I especially enjoy Open Water because I get to introduce students to the “superpowers” of breathing underwater and mastering buoyancy. Refreshers are just as rewarding — many of my divers have been out of the water for a while and need to rebuild their confidence. Plus, they usually come with some great stories to tell.

I love working at Stuart Scuba because of the people. We have a great staff who are a lot of fun but also have a strong dedication to safe diving. We truly get to know our students and customers well, and being on the boat often feels like going to a family reunion — full of laughter, hugs, and great conversations.

I’m theoretically retired but busier than ever! I’m married, with two stupid but adorable goldendoodles. I’m also active in two competitive women’s barbershop choruses and a barbershop quartet, so most weekends you’ll find me rehearsing, performing, or teaching scuba — and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

My best dive was on Tubbataha Reef in the Philippines, where I saw a whale shark at 60 feet — absolutely magical. And yes… I’m known as the “eel whisperer.” If there are eels on the dive, I’ll find them.

 Mitch Hushak - Instructor

Meet Mitch Hushak, Staff Instructor at Stuart Scuba.

Mitch began his diving journey in 2010 exploring what he proudly calls “Midwest muck” in Iowa — yes, people really do dive in Iowa! After retiring from a career in mechanical and electrical engineering, he traded cold water and limited visibility for Florida’s warm reefs in 2022. Today, every Florida dive still feels like a gift.

He earned his NAUI Divemaster rating in 2019, became an SDI Instructor in 2023, and achieved NAUI Instructor status in 2024. Mitch especially enjoys working with Open Water students, sharing his enthusiasm for the underwater world while building a strong foundation of safety and confidence. His teaching philosophy is simple: safety first, skills solid, and fun always part of the experience.

There’s nothing he enjoys more than watching a student’s eyes light up after seeing a barrel sponge or eagle ray for the first time — that moment of discovery is what keeps him coming back to the dock.

Mitch’s dive travels extend well beyond Florida and the Midwest, including the Great Lakes, Monterey Bay, Roatán, Cozumel, Curaçao, and Hawaii. Without question, his most unforgettable experience — repeated six times and never losing its magic — is the legendary night manta dive off the west coast of Hawaii’s Big Island.

Join Mitch on a charter or in a class and experience firsthand his steady instruction, technical knowledge, and genuine passion for diving. And yes… you’ll definitely see some cool stuff.

Nick & Donna Barrett - Instructors & Travel Coordinators

Meet Nick and Donna — two passionate dive instructors who traded corporate careers in the Washington, D.C. area for the vibrant diving culture of South Florida.

With more than 20 years of diving experience and over 15 year as certified instructors, they are committed to sharing their love of the underwater world while developing confident, capable divers.

As the Adventure Coordinators for Stuart Scuba, Nick and Donna bring decades of professional travel planning and global dive experience to every trip they design. Each destination is personally curated based on its adventure potential, travel logistics, diver readiness, and the unique value they can provide to a group — experiences simply not replicated when traveling independently.

From selecting destinations that balance excitement with accessibility, to managing the complex details behind the scenes, their goal is to create seamless, memorable group experiences where divers feel prepared, supported, and free to fully enjoy the journey.

Every expedition is crafted with intention. The result is more than a vacation — it’s a guided adventure led by professionals who prioritize safety, expertise, and exceptional shared experiences.

Rich Barrett - IDC Staff Instructor

Rich Barrett, an IDC Staff Instructor at Stuart Scuba, who brings a wealth of diving experience to our team. Originally from the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area, Rich began his underwater journey by earning his Open Water certification on the stunning Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Cairns, Australia.

Rich has achieved numerous certifications, including PADI IDC Staff Instructor, SDI/TDI Instructor, and DAN Instructor. With hundreds of training dives conducted at Dutch Springs in Pennsylvania, he made the move to Florida to dive and teach in the warmer waters of the Sunshine State.

His diving adventures have taken him to some of the most beautiful destinations in the world, including Bonaire, Australia, Mexico, Roatan in Honduras, Dominica, Puerto Rico, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Rich particularly enjoys shore diving in Bonaire and recreational wreck diving off the coast of North Carolina, as well as technical wreck diving for those seeking an extra challenge.

Join Rich at Stuart Scuba to benefit from his extensive knowledge and passion for diving, and explore the vibrant underwater world of South Florida and beyond!

In the Water:

Shawn Robotka - Technical Instructor

Shawn Robotka, one of our esteemed technical instructors at Stuart Scuba in Stuart, Florida. With a deep passion for the underwater world, Shawn is particularly fond of seals and sea lions. He is a Staff Instructor certified to teach all levels of recreational and technical diving, including Advanced Trimix on both open-circuit and closed-circuit rebreather (CCR) units.

Shawn's expertise in technical diving ensures that students receive top-notch training in both open-circuit systems and CCR techniques, making him an invaluable resource for divers looking to enhance their skills in complex underwater environments. His favorite dive spot is the Ande wreck off the coast of Palm Beach, which lies at a depth of 195 feet, offering an exhilarating experience for advanced divers.

Whether you’re interested in mastering advanced diving techniques or exploring the exciting realm of rebreathers, Shawn is here to guide you on your journey at Stuart Scuba. Join him to elevate your diving experience and discover the wonders of technical diving!

On the Boat:

Captain Brandon Skipper, Little Deeper

We’re proud to introduce Captain Brandon as Chief Captain of Stuart Scuba and the skipper of Little Deeper.

Born and raised in Jupiter, Florida, Brandon has lived his life on the water. By age seven he was already fishing and running boats under his father’s guidance, supported every step of the way by a family that instilled in him a deep respect for the ocean. One lesson has always stayed with him: leave things better than you found them. It’s a philosophy he brings to every charter and every guest experience.

With more than 10,000 hours logged at sea, Captain Brandon combines seasoned experience with genuine passion. Whether he’s positioning divers on a reef, running offshore, or sharing stories between dives, he creates an atmosphere that is calm, capable, and adventure-focused. To Brandon, the ocean isn’t just where he works — it’s where he feels most at home.

At the helm of Little Deeper, he ensures every trip runs safely, smoothly, and with the kind of energy that reminds you why you fell in love with diving in the first place.

As he likes to say, “A day on the water always beats a day in the office.”

Come aboard and see why we’re excited to have Captain Brandon leading the way.

Christine "LionFish Huntress" – Divemaster & Reef Defender

Christine began guiding dives because she loves connecting people to the underwater world — a place we can learn from, explore, and admire, but only ever visit.

A lifelong water person, Christine studies and works in wildlife ecology, bringing a deep appreciation for marine environments and the creatures that inhabit them. She is also an experienced lionfish hunter, helping manage this invasive species while turning the experience into a meaningful conservation effort.

Christine also channels her passion for the ocean into creativity, crafting unique jewelry inspired by marine life, often incorporating ocean themes and materials that reflect the beauty of the sea.

Whether guiding a reef drift, spotting hidden marine life, or sharing stories about ocean conservation, Christine brings curiosity, knowledge, and a deep respect for the underwater world to every dive.

Christopher Robinson - Divemaster

Christopher returned to Florida in 2024 after retiring from 33 years of continuous active-duty military service. Following a distinguished career built on leadership, discipline, and operational excellence, he now brings that same steady presence and professionalism to the dive deck at Stuart Scuba.

The water is where Christopher feels most at home — calm, focused, and fully present. Most recently arriving from Hawaii, he logged extensive dives throughout the islands, as well as in Thailand and Okinawa, expanding his experience across diverse underwater environments.

At Stuart Scuba, Christopher is known for his emphasis on safe, efficient, and courteous diving — both on the boat and below the surface. His attention to detail and commitment to team awareness make him a trusted Divemaster for divers of all experience levels.

Never one to stand still, he is actively advancing his skills with goals of becoming a technical diver, instructor, and licensed boat captain.

Beyond diving, Christopher remains deeply committed to service through active membership in the Treasure Coast Fraternal Order of Police, Florida FBI National Academy Associates, and the Air Force Security Forces Association.

Austin McKay - Divemaster

Austin brings science and adventure together as a Divemaster at Stuart Scuba. With a background in marine chemistry and experience on reef, drift, and boat dives, he combines strong situational awareness with a relaxed, upbeat presence that keeps every trip safe and enjoyable.

He especially loves seeing divers light up as they discover something new underwater—whether it’s their first ocean descent or their hundredth dive. "Fourth Window" tops his list of local favorites, and he’s always eager for a trip to Key West to dive the iconic USS Vandenberg, where towering structure and abundant marine life make every dive feel epic.

Outside of diving, Austin enjoys traveling, sailing, staying active outdoors, and chasing the next great adventure.