STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS

JOSH

Josh is a 15 year Veteran of the United States Army that served in various Infantry units throughout the world. His service took him from Washington DC where he was a first responder to the attack on the Pentagon on 9/11, through multiple deployments to Iraq while living in Germany, to instructing future Officers at Arizona State University. Following a medical retirement, Josh returned to school to earn his degree at ASU in Professional Flight and became a commercial airline pilot where he works to this day. Following the tragic death of numerous Soldiers due to Suicide, Josh set to work with others to create Deep Sea Valkyries. Josh serves as the President and Director of Veteran Outreach for DSV. Josh is a NAUI Dive Instructor, TDI Rebreather Technical Diver, and shares a passion for assisting other Veterans who are looking to better their lives post-service.

NEYSA

Neysa is the only member of our staff that is not Veteran, however, she has a very unique perspective as both of her brothers, her cousin, and her husband Josh all served. Neysa was formerly a professional ballet dancer who spent a decade touring across the Pacific Northwest and Canada. When injury ended her career she went back to school and completed her Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations & Marketing followed by her Master of Arts in Organizational Management with a focus on government entities. She worked as a Department of the Army civilian while Josh was still active duty assisting in the planning of large scale post events and facilitated corporate sponsorship. Neysa incorporated all of those skills into business side of Deep Sea Valkyries and now handles the logistics and coordination of our retreats as well as fundraising and event planning. Neysa is a NAUI Divemaster and supports our Valkyries during the retreats by leading dives, facilitating one of the sessions on family and the external environment, and taking photos to document our programs.

TRAVIS

Travis is a 10 year Marine Corps Veteran who noticed his life was not headed in the direction he envisioned following his two deployments to Iraq. After working towards his own recovery, developing self-compassion and reconnecting with his own passions, he became a peer support specialist for the Department of Veterans Affairs. There he was encouraged to pursue a degree in mental health and completed his Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California. Travis has also written and contributed to a number of books that discuss the psychology in pop-cultural works of sci-fi giving lectures at events like comic con.  He now works for a VetCenter aiding Veterans in their recovery from combat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as well as for a non-profit that trains Veterans with PTSD to scuba dive. Travis was a participant with Deep Sea Valkyries in 2018 and returned in 2019, and each subsequent retreat, as a staff member wanting to give back to other Veterans.

JAY “Chaps”

Chaplain Jay “Chaps” Tobin enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1988 and remained in uniform serving many different roles until finally retiring as an Army Officer in 2016. He first deployed to Iraq as an infantry officer in 2003 and then transitioned to complete seminary and ordination. As a chaplain, he joined airborne and special operations aviation and completed two deployments to Iraq and three to Afghanistan. He planted roots in Minnesota with his 22nd and final military move and served as a City Finance Manager until assuming the role as a Parks and Recreation Director. Jay and his wife RobinAnn recently celebrated 28 years of marriage, and the Lord grew their family through the miracle of adopting four amazing kids. As a disabled veteran he is thrilled and honored to be a part of our program where he can share the gamut of emotions: from fear and anxiety to hope; from dread to enthusiasm; from pain to peace…it is good to be reminded that through it all – “Adonai is Semper Fi” (The LORD is Always Faithful)

MATT

Matt is an Army Veteran serving 8½ years on active duty until he was medically retired due to injuries sustained in combat. In 2011, Matt had his last surgery which allowed him to reestablish his recreational love for outdoor activities. Matt has since earned his PADI Instructor Development Candidate Instructor certification, Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Open Water Scuba Instructor, Master Scuba Diver rating, along with numerous other specialty certifications. Matt is also a certified Handicapped Scuba Association (HSA) Instructor along with being a HSA dive buddy allowing him to serve the community by championing individuals with disabilities. The feeling of peace and wholeness found below the water, after being seriously injured in combat is extremely liberating to injured Veterans like Matt and he is excited to be involved with Deep Sea Valkyries. After attending as a participant in 2017, Matt is eager to continue to share his passion, the liberating freedom of the water from physical and mental injuries, and the love for the underwater world with others!

FELIPE

Felipe is an Army Veteran that served for over 20 years as an Infantryman having served in all levels of leadership from Team Leader through Platoon Sergeant including time as a Brigade Master Gunner and a Tactical Combat Advisor for the Colombian Army in their fight against the FARC.  Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he moved to Boston in 1989 when he was 14 years old.    Felipe deployed a total of seven times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.   Felipe was introduced to diving after being selected to attend a Deep Sea Valkyries retreat in 2019 which ultimately opened a new chapter to his life. After his 2019 DSV retreat Felipe decided to use his G.I. Bill to continue his diving education. He reached PADI highest recreational level of Master Scuba Diver and started working on his PADI Professional rating. Felipe currently holds a PADI IDC Staff Instructor rating and several Specialty Diver Instructor ratings and is most proud of his last one as a PADI Adaptive Techniques and Support Diver Instructor. Felipe celebrated his 1000th dive with DSV in May of 2023 while serving on our staff.

Marc