Steve Kushner
Steve Kushner’s interest in the diving world began in 1976 when he took on a position at Diving Systems International along side Bev Morgan, Bob Kirby and Skip Dunham, who co-founded the HDS with Leslie Leaney in 1992. Steve was instrumental in the growth of the company and in 1996 was voted President of the company by its Board of Directors. During his tenure, he worked closely with several of the largest International diving equipment suppliers and had a good working relationship with the ADC, various military units around the world and some of the most well known names in the diving industry. While at KMDSI, Steve was involved with the introduction of several new products which eventually became the world standard in their fields. Steve stayed with the company for a total of 26 years, and retired from KMDSI in 2004.
Soon after leaving KMDSI, Steve and his wife moved to Hawaii where he immediately became active in his community. He was voted onto the Board of Directors of the Homeowners Association in the community where he lived and remained on the board up until returning to the mainland in 2008. His final position with the BOD was Secretary. (After turning down the Vice President’s position.) Shortly before moving to Hawaii, he joined the “British Car Club of Hawaii”. As soon as Steve arrived and attended regular meetings, he began introducing fresh ideas and quickly became the Technical Advisor. A year later Steve was nominated and voted President by the clubs many members. During this same time, he joined the “Aloha Hawaiian Parrot Association.” and was eventually asked to run for President but declined since he knew he would be moving out of state within a year. Steve is a cofounder of the Hawaiian Bird Association and although he is no longer associated with any parrot related organizations, he and his wife continue to do parrot rescue on their own, in their own home as well as around Las Vegas where they presently reside.
Early on in Steve’s career in the diving industry he gained a deep respect for members of the worlds diving community and especially those who paved the way for man to breathe, work and have fun underwater. Steve has always had a fascination for diving’s history and an understanding of the importance of the success of the Historical Diving Society, USA.