OMAHA, Neb. – James A. Guretzky, president/CEO of SAC Federal Credit Union, Omaha, may as well hang out another shingle: premier scuba diving instructor. "Sure, I've taught a few local people and I recently had a three star commander and his wife at the SAC Base as a pupil to teach them the thrills of scuba diving," said the 57-year-old Guretzky who got into the underwater sport 10 years ago after his wife gave him lessons as a birthday gift. And where does one scuba dive in landlocked Nebraska? "We do have some quarries and Lake Perceval out here" where training can be performed, says Guretzky who recently was designated a Master Scuba Diver/Trainer by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, an international group with U.S. headquarters in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. Geuertzky, a past chairman of NAFCU and president of SAC FCU since 1984, goes on scuba diving jaunts several times a year often times to favorite spots in Florida, Hawaii, Mexico or in the Caribbean (Trinidad-Tobago) or off the South American coast (Belize). He estimates he takes 50-60 dives a year going down to depths of 130 feet. "There's something really beautiful, warm and peaceful about being underwater watching animals and looking at coral reefs," declares Guertzky, And indeed a year ago the SAC CEO got up close and personal with sharks in the shark tank at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo as part of a fund-raising party. "I knew the head of the zoo and they gave me permission to go into the tank where I could greet party-goers full face through the windows," laughs Guertzky who was photographed for the stunt. "It was lots of fun." Guertzky says he was similarly photographed back in 1998 when he was NAFCU chairman and instead of sharks "I was fighting with bankers over 1151," the House bill. -

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