Meet The Team

Ken Schoen | Owner & Instructor, Big Guy Scuba

For over 30 years, scuba diving has been more than just a profession for Ken Schoen—it is his life’s passion. Ken’s love for the underwater world began at an early age when he first learned to swim, which eventually evolved into a fascination with dry caving. It didn't take long for him to realize that the challenges and beauty of dry caves perfectly set the stage for his true calling: cave diving.

Ken’s formal journey into overhead environments took off when he teamed up with mentor Jamie Hampstead, leading to his first cavern card in 1996. Completely captured by the breathtaking, hidden world of underwater caves, Ken pushed his limits further, officially earning his Cave Diver certification in 2002. Soon after, alongside his close friend Jim Fishback, he mastered sidemount diving, expanding his exploration capabilities.

In 2004, Ken stepped into the role of Scuba Instructor. His mission was simple: to share the deep joy, safety, and thrill of underwater exploration with like-minded adventurers. Today, as the owner of Big Guy Scuba, Ken leads with the same enthusiasm he had on day one. He remains a dedicated student of the ocean, springs and caves, proudly embracing the philosophy that a great diver never stops learning something new every single day.

Joerg | Technical Diving Instructor & Mentor

Joerg has been a leader in mixed gas diving, rebreather research, and overhead training since 2000, becoming an instructor in 2004. With a strong academic background, his research centers on rebreather design, scrubber performance, and diving fatality investigations.

Throughout his career, Joerg has built multiple scientific diving programs, trained hundreds of divers, and co-authored industry standards and training manuals. He remains active in cave exploration and diving technology development.

Teaching & Mentorship Philosophy

Joerg focuses on bridging the gap between deep technical science and real-world application. Known for his comprehensive knowledge and thorough teaching style, he creates a positive, high-standard learning environment.

As a dedicated mentor, Joerg focuses on coaching rather than just teaching. He is proudly old-school under a simple premise: tuition is paid for, but certification is earned.

Jacob "GHØST" Croft | Full Cave Diver & Explorer

Jacob Croft has been exploring the underwater world for nearly a decade. Growing up along the historic Suwannee River, he was captivated by the sight of cave divers from a young age, sparking a lifelong obsession with the sport. Jacob took his first breath underwater at age 15, and right from his Open Water certification class, he knew his ultimate goal was to venture into overhead environments. He began his formal overhead progression at age 21, translating his passion into technical mastery.

Today, Jacob is a certified Full Cave Diver with hundreds of logged cave dives across a massive variety of challenging environments. Driven by a deep passion for discovery, he works closely with specialized cave mapping and research teams, utilizing advanced skills to document hidden conduits and expand our understanding of underwater cave systems. As an avid explorer, he is consistently focused on pushing boundaries and going where few have gone before—especially in lesser-known locations and hidden river caves along the Suwannee.

The "GHØST" Philosophy

During his intensive training, Jacob earned the nickname "GHØST"—a title that has stayed with him throughout his cave diving career. Known for his adaptable, continuous-learning mindset, Jacob firmly believes that every individual brings their own unique style to the water. He is always eager to log a dive with new teammates, collaborate on mapping projects, and pick up new techniques. No matter the environment, Jacob is happiest when he is underwater, sharing his deep respect for cave systems with fellow adventurers.

 Shenna Dover | Scuba Instructor & Medical Educator

Shenna Dover brings an elite level of safety, precision, and passion to the Big Guy Scuba team. Diving since 2011, Shenna’s love for exploration took a deep dive underground in 2025 when she certified as a Cave Diver. She has been completely captivated by the majestic beauty of the karst underwater worlds ever since. In 2024, Shenna joined Big Guy Scuba as an instructor, combining her underwater expertise with an extensive, high-stakes medical background. A dedicated public servant, she has been an EMT-I since 2008 and serves the community as an EMT Instructor, an AHA Instructor/Instructor Trainer, and a dynamic medical educator. In addition to her cave diving and teaching, Shenna acts as a vehicle recovery diver, utilizing her specialized technical skills and underwater precision to handle complex, high-stakes retrieval operations. Her deep knowledge of public safety and emergency medicine provides her diving students with an unmatched level of confidence, safety awareness, and reassurance in the water.

When she isn't teaching life-saving skills on land, recovering sunken vehicles, or exploring deep cave systems, Shenna is a proud dog lover who enjoys winding down with her favorite four-legged companions.