Meet: Thomas R. (Tom) Leaird
Owner: Tom Leaird's Underwater Service
Vice Chair: YMCA National SCUBA Program Advisory Committee
Secretary: Muncie YMCA Board of Directors
Who I am - words that describe me:
Retired from the photographic industry spending a second life as a SCUBA
retailer and instructor.
My personal challenges:
I believe in training the whole person using the YMCA principles of Spirit,
Mind and Body. 
My career challenges:
By teaching SCUBA to persons of ages from 12 years up provides a lifelong
potential for a recreational activity that is low impact and can be pursued
by those well in excess of age 60.
 My career:
In my current career I operate and own a SCUBA store and teach SCUBA lessons
from entry level through instructor trainer. In addition I teach First
Aid and CPR and many programs associated with SCUBA.
Likes/Dislikes about career:
I find most rewarding the ability to provide a change in a student's life
through SCUBA and related activities, not just as a recreational ativity,
but a change in how they live in relation to wellness.
Influences:
It would probably be my first boss, Jim Reid, who took a real interest
in my career and my business development.
 Future goals:
My goal is to continue to learn every day and to be able to give my knowledge
to others. I also have plans to build a house as a second retirement project.
My thoughts about space exploration:
The physical requirements to go into space parallel many of those we use
in SCUBA training. A diver must have something to breathe, maintain body
heat and can become weightless as an astronaut. 
Personal information:
My family consists of my wife, Bobbi, son, Dan (34), his wife Jeni and
three grandchildren; daughter Tamni and her husband Ezra. Then, of course,
there's my dog Babe.
I do woodworking, own 11 rental apartments, manage my mother's farms,
serve as general chairman of the Kiwanis Christmas Tree sales.
Learn More from My Chats
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