Owners
Doug Novelly
Co-Owner of High Sierra Divers -
NAUI SDI, SSI Instructor Trainer
Doug is the current owner of High Sierra Divers, along with his wife Tina. He teaches
classes, does merchandising, equipment repair, sales, Open Water Training, Instructor Training and whatever else
is needed around the shop. Doug is also one of our trip leaders on many of our warm-water trips. Doug originally
took an Advanced Class from HSD in its early days, then started helping with the classes and became HSD's first
employee. He was the manager of the Grass Valley store and started the Auburn store. He eventually became an
Instructor and then an Instructor Trainer (the highest level attainable). Doug is an avid diver, free diver and
photographer. He is the go-to guy for all of your Scuba related questions.
Tina Novelly
Co-Owner of High Sierra Divers
Tina specializes in Sales, Repairs and Travel at the store. She is very knowledgeable
in these areas and is always willing to share that knowledge. Tina prefers warm water diving, but will
still be seen on many of our local trips. She is responsible for the great appearance of the shop and
displays. Tina also enjoys horseback riding and spending time with her daughter, Cambria.
Instructors
Jim Nordstrom
Instructor
Jim is a former owner who still teaches classes. He has always striven to aspire to the
highest levels of teaching, and encourages his students to do the same. Jim also volunteers with Wave Camp
at Sacramento State every year, where he conducts SCUBA experiences for severely handicapped children. Jim
is a Doctor of Dentistry and has a degree in Odontology (Forensic Dentistry). Jim is an avid sailor and lives
in Puerto Vallarta part of the year. Jim is also a Red Cross First Aid CPR Instructor.
Jack Brokaw
SSI Divemaster Instructor
Jack received his original open water certification with High Sierra Divers in 1994, became a
Dive Master in 2002 and an Instructor in 2006. He teaches three or four classes per year and helps his dive buddy,
Marc Davis, with his Open Water Classes also. He is proud to be a North Coast cold water diver and has been with High
Sierra Divers on warm water dives to Roatan, Utila, Bonaire, Turk, Palau, Fiji, and the Maldives. He loves underwater
photography and says his best dive is 'wherever the next one will be'.
Ed Phillips
SSI AOW Instructor
Ed was certified by High Sierra Divers in 2006. Ed has logged over 500 recreational dives,
including trips to Hawaii, Micronesia, the Caribbean, the Southern Pacific, the Maldives, PNG, Australia, and many dives
off the coast of California. After his Open Water certification, Ed's passion for diving led him to continue with his
training, and enjoys working with the new divers as well as teaching advanced classes. Ed also enjoys other sports such as
basketball and football (watching, of course!). Ed is interested in photography, both in and out of the water. In Ed's other life,
he is a software/web developer. He created and maintains this HSD website.
Rob Flecksteiner
SSI OW Instructor
Bio coming soon!
Assistant Instructors
Bekah Phillips
Assistant Instructor
Bekah was certified in 2006, along with her husband Ed (above). Her passion for diving grew after seeing
seahorses, and she now collects pretty much anything having to do with them. She has traveled along with her husband to many
different countries with the High Sierra Divers travel group. She has recently received her certification as an Assistant Instructor and
provides interesting perspectives and tips for the new female divers.
In her other life, Bekah is a massage therapist, and is considered one of the best in the Roseville/Auburn area.
Nick Wheeler
Assistant Instructor
Bio coming soon!
Nick Tshenko
Assistant Instructor
Bio coming soon!