DAN announces new President and CEO

Divers Alert Network has named Dan Orr as President and CEO of the dive safety organization. The appointment follows the announcement at DAN of the resignation of Dr. Michael D. Curley.

William Anlyan, chairman of the DAN Board of Directors, made the announcement to the DAN staff on Wednesday, Nov. 23.

Anlyan praised Orr for his long and distinguished career at DAN and in the dive industry. "DAN is fortunate to have a man of his experience and service to lead this organization forward," he said. "The Board is excited to have Dan Orr at the helm."

Orr said it is both an honor and privilege to be asked to lead DAN. "I pledge to continue DAN's vital mission of providing the very best emergency medical and educational services available to the diving public, as well as finding new and innovative ways of serving our members and stakeholders," he said.

"This fulfills a dream of merging my love of diving with my desire to continue to improve diving safety. I hope to live up to the high standards set by the exceptionally qualified and dedicated professionals who work here at DAN."

Orr, a veteran diver of 40-plus years, has served DAN in various positions, most recently, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Vice President for Training and Training Director. He joined DAN in 1991 and immediately established the DAN Training department and the Oxygen for Scuba Diving course, a standard in the dive industry.

Orr has held membership and leadership positions in many notable diving organizations such as NAUI, PADI, ACUC, YMCA, NASE, IAND, UHMS, NACD, the Historical Diving Society, Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences, Institute of Diving and the Explorers Club. He is Chairman of the Board of the Historical Diving Society and Secretary of the DEMA Board of Directors.

At Wright State University, in Dayton, Ohio, Orr created comprehensive diver education program offered for academic credit from 1973-1988. This program consisted of all levels of certification from entry-level through instructor-trainer.

At Florida State University from 1988-1991, as Instructional Coordinator and Associate Diving Safety Officer, he revamped the existing diver education program, offering academic credit through the marine sciences department. This program expanded emphasis on diver safety and skill development. He was Diving Safety Officer for the first Mixed Gas Workshop conducted by Florida State University and conducted at the FSU Marine Lab and Wakulla Springs State Park.

In a statement to the DAN staff, Anlyan expressed appreciation to Curley for his service to DAN and acknowledged the fine accomplishments during Curley's 21-month tenure. Curley’s resignation was effective Nov. 22, 2005.

"Both the Board and Dr. Curley agree that as this holiday season approaches, the time is opportune for the transition, in anticipation of the challenges the new year will bring," he said. "Dr. Curley plans to resume his independent consultancy career with his firm in Connecticut."

Dr. Curley's statement to the staff read, "I am most grateful for having the opportunity to lead this fine organization and to meet many of our DAN family. It has been my great privilege to support the terrific assistance provided by DAN's staff to divers in need."

For more information, contact DAN Communications at +1-919-684-2948.

Source: www.diversalertnetwork.org/news