Divers Alert Community® has appointed Cliff Richardson as its subsequent president and chief govt officer.
As CEO, Richardson will lead the group in its mission to help injured divers and advance dive security. He’ll succeed DAN’s present president and CEO, Invoice Ziefle, who first joined DAN as a board member in 1998 and was appointed CEO in 2010. Ziefle’s distinguished profession at DAN has been marked by a demonstrated dedication to dive security and important progress in DAN’s membership and insurance coverage applications.
“For 45 years, DAN has been devoted to selling dive security, and I’m pleased with what our workforce has completed since I turned CEO,” Ziefle mentioned. “Cliff’s understanding of our trade and his forward-looking management make him the proper particular person to information DAN into its subsequent chapter of service to our members and the worldwide dive neighborhood.”
Richardson brings greater than 20 years of management expertise to the position, most lately serving as govt director and CEO of NAUI Worldwide. He started his profession within the diving trade as an teacher and has additionally led organizations in the private and non-private sectors. A U.S. Military veteran, Richardson is acknowledged for his strategic mindset, progressive problem-solving, and observe report of strengthening organizational capabilities.
“I’m honored to take the helm and carry ahead DAN’s legacy of serving divers — and to maintain the group at the forefront of diving security and drugs,” mentioned Richardson. “Along with our devoted workers, members, and companions, DAN will construct upon its historical past of serving to divers in want whereas working throughout the dive neighborhood to make our sport even safer within the years to return.”
As CEO, Richardson will assist outline future priorities and alternatives for DAN’s key initiatives — together with medical companies, analysis, schooling, and membership and insurance coverage applications — to advance the group’s imaginative and prescient of creating each dive accident- and injury-free.
“DAN has lengthy set the usual for dive security, schooling, and emergency response, and Cliff shares our perception in constructing on that custom,” mentioned Kathy Weydig, chair of the DAN board of administrators. “As we undertake this govt management transition, we’re assured in Cliff’s skill to steer the group as its subsequent president and CEO, persevering with DAN’s dedication to excellence in serving our members and our mission, whereas setting the course for the way forward for dive security.”
Richardson and Ziefle will handle the dive trade at DEMA Present 2025 throughout DAN’s member appreciation occasion on November 11. DAN members in attendance will hear Richardson’s plans for the group because it strikes into 2026 and past.
