Louie Psihoyos
Executive Director
Louie Psihoyos (rhymes with Sequoias) has been widely regarded as one of the top photographers in the world. He was hired directly out of college to shoot for National Geographic and created images for the yellow-bordered magazine for 18 years. His ability to bring humanity and wit to complicated science stories carries over to his filmmaking. An ardent diver and dive photographer, he feels compelled to show the world the decline of our planet’s crucial resource, water.He has been on contract for Fortune Magazine and shot hundreds of covers for other magazines including Smithsonian, Discover, GEO, Time, Newsweek, The New York Times Magazine, New York Magazine, Sports Illustrated and Rock and Ice. His work has also been seen on the Discovery Channel, National Geographic Television and the History Channel. Museums and private collectors around the world have sought Psihoyos' photography.
His home and studio are conveniently located between two oceans in Boulder, Colorado, where he lives with his wife, a former New York City Ballet dancer and his son Sam. His oldest son Nico is a chef on the island of Antigua in the West Indies.
Paula DuPré Pesmen
Executive Producer
Paula’s sabbatical from a successful film career coincided with the founding of OPS. As associate producer on the first three Harry Potter films, in addition to many others, she has dealt with all areas of a large-scale production.
Returning to her Boulder home to raise a family, and found a non-profit organization of her own, There With Care, she has offered invaluable support to the team from the outset. Her knowledge ensures that the fledgling film company, OPS, achieves the level of professionalism that Louie constantly demands. Her attention to detail in all production areas, from scheduling, to budget to licensing allows the team to focus on making film.
Gina Papabeis
Associate Producer
Gina Papabeis is a graduate of Florida State University's Film School with a background in film production and social marketing. As a nature lover and strong believer in popularizing science, she is thrilled to be part of the OPS team. From scheduling and logistics, to creating materials, to updating fans of The Cove with breaking news, she helps with the daily challenges.
Viki Psihoyos
Communications
Joseph Chisholm
Production Coordinator
As the overseer of all facets of production, Joe’s contribution tothe OPS team is varied, yet critical. He looks after the gear and the guys. His 10-year stint overseeing large-scale events in the music and festival industry has made him indispensable in the studio, and on location. Whether it’s managing a mountain of gear’s transport, or securing a cameraman to a tree, he silently gives blood, sweat and tears, and then some. He is one of the men behind the magic who makes sense of the chaos.
His many years of sailing in the Caribbean have established a love and respect for the oceans and the importanceof their preservation. He is a Certified open water and rebreather diver and an alumni of the University of Colorado at Boulder where he received a BA in Philosophy and Native American Religious Studies.
Simon Hutchins
Expedition Director
Simon Hutchins spent 7 years in the Canadian Air Force as an avionics technician eventually being posted from his home in Toronto toVancouver Island. During the years spent on the Island he developed an interest in sailing and diving. After leaving the CAF in 1994 Simon pursued a career in yachting and diving.Born in England in 1962, he emigrated to Canada in 1967. An avid athlete, he has played ice hockey and golf as well as racing his road bike in many of the premier cycling events in British Columbia. When not on an expedition Simon still enjoys getting out on the golf course.
Qualified as a British Marine Coastguard Agency Master of Yachts, Simon is a qualified officer on the OPS flagship Athena. As an IANTD Dive Master, he also serves as Athena's dive expedition manager. He is qualified on an array of technical scuba equipment, including being a Rebreather Instructor, and member of the 2008 Canadian Freediving Team. The skills learned working on high tech aircraft systems, along with his sailing and diving qualifications create a unique set of abilities well suited to organize and maintain the expeditions. He currently lives on his 48 foot sailing yacht "Scaramouche II", an old German Frers designed racing yacht built by Palmer Johnson in 1977.
Mandy-Rae Cruickshank
FreeDiver
Mandy is a world renowned female athlete combining grit and grins. She holds numerous world records for freediving, holding her breath underwater for extended periods of time, and diving to great depths. Her mermaid-like skills have brought her media attention, she has been featured on the Discovery Channel, Good Morning America, Explore Magazine, Men’s Health and Fitness, Outside Magazine among others. She was prominent during David Blaine’s 2-hour ABC special, Drowned Alive, in May of 2006, when she rescued the endurance artist from his highly visible underwater stunt. She also appeared in The Mermaid Chair with Kim Basinger on The Lifetime Channel. She competes and trains others in freediving year round.For OPS she has served as a graceful underwater reminder of human presence in the sea, slipping effortlessly through reefs and sea canyons with ease. Her iconic open-arm gesture of receiving that she offered to the massive whales serves as visual reminder of her beauty and skill.
Kirk Krack
FreeDiver
Kirk Krack is a professional freediving educator, trainer, coach and entrepreneur. He is considered one of the world’s foremost authorities on the professional aspects of freediving education, instruction and safety. Along with his wife Mandy Rae, he has assisted in capturing much of OPS’ underwater footage.
His ability to spend extended time alongside sealife, without the use of distracting equipment makes him an asset to the team. He has worked for OPS in the Cocos Islands, the Dominican Republic, Hawaii, The Bahamas, the Cayman Islands and Tahiti. Also, in Japan, he and his wife bravely assisted setting underwater recording devices in the infamous killing cove, eluding guards and police.
His ability to spend extended time alongside sealife, without the use of distracting equipment makes him an asset to the team. He has worked for OPS in the Cocos Islands, the Dominican Republic, Hawaii, The Bahamas, the Cayman Islands and Tahiti. Also, in Japan, he and his wife bravely assisted setting underwater recording devices in the infamous killing cove, eluding guards and police.
Greg Mooney
Marine Technician
Greg brings a wealth of technical diving expertise to the Oceanic Preservation Society. Qualified as a NAUI scuba instructor, he is also an Advanced Nitrox Instructor, Nitrox Instructor Trainer, Hyperbaric Chamber Instructor, Gas Blending Instructor and Full Trimix Certified Diver. He has spent 16 years in the dive industry, including 12 years as a high pressure life support system designer and mixed gas blending technician. His roles include purchasing, organizing and maintaining the Society's dive gear and getting the film crews in and out of the water safely. Greg also acts as safety diver during expeditions.During some of the more adventurous expeditions, Greg's advanced knowledge of diving is crucial in planning. A keen underwater videographer, 'Moondog' as he is commonly known, is always helpful in exploring new camera techniques with the director and helping the cameramen master the diving techniques necessary to create more interesting footage.
Born in Newport Beach, California, into a yachting family, Greg lived in California and throughout Europe in his youth. Greg's initial interest in diving was sparked by free diving sessions in Greece. Moving to Fort Lauderdale in 1975, Greg has grown up around the largest yachting community in the United States and is an addition to the Athena crew when on expedition.
When not on an expedition Greg runs a yacht dive equipment outfitting and support company in Fort Lauderdale Florida called Moondog Dive Outfitters.