Administration

ALLEN G. GARBER, CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

Mr. Garber has been a recreational diver since 1974 and has dived in such places as the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, St. Martin, and the Great Barrier Reef. He holds a BBA from the University of Massachusetts in Marketing with a minor in Civil Engineering. He also holds a USCG operator’s license and has sailed both offshore and competitively. Mr. Garber has been involved in the marine industry for over twenty years and most recently was the Brand Manager & National Sales Manager for a major manufacturer of offshore recreational boats. Mr. Garber directs business development and is responsible for all marketing, recruiting and promotion of CDA Technical Institute.

AMBER JAXON, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Ms. Jaxon brings several years of bookkeeping experience to CDA. She is currently enrolled in accounting classes at a local college. She maintains all student accounts, ledgers and records. Her duties also comprise compliance with State and Federal accrediting agencies.

JAMES POWELL, DIRECTOR of COMPLIANCE

Mr. Powell moved to Jacksonville from Houston, Texas in July 2018.  He also joined the CDA family July 2018. He brings over 30 years of post-secondary administration and teaching experience.  "Education is what I was put on earth to do, I and can’t imagine any other career." says Powell

Mr. Powell holds a MS in Project Management a BS Electronics Engineering Technology.  During down time, he loves watching movies, eating all types of food, and spending time family. 

ZULEMA WATKINS, REGISTRAR

Ms. “Z” Watkins relocated to Jacksonville Beach in 1999.  She has been working in the post-secondary educational field for over 7 years.  She has attending Florida State University and Webster University earning various certification in Insurance, IT, and as a Paralegal.  She has been a Business Owner, Paralegal, Master Admissions Representative and Proxy to the Director of Admissions. She joined the CDA team with a wealth of knowledge in Welding, Admissions and Recruiting.  As the daughter of United States Navy Master Chief, she strongly believes in learning a skill set, textile education and consistent development.  When off the clock she enjoys watching Soccer, Football, Trivia working in her Garden and taking daily walks on the beach.

ALEX TUMANISZWILI, CAREER SERVICES

Alex started his diving career in 1990 as a Navy Diver. Throughout his naval career he was involved in many high profile diving operations such as Hurricane Katrina Recovery Operations, Debris recovery for Space Shuttle Columbia, USS Monitor Salvage Operations and wartime deployments to the Middle East. Working his way through the ranks, Alex eventually mastered deep water diving technique and achieved the qualification as Mixed Gas Diving Supervisor. He was instrumental in creating the Deep Diving Detachment for the Navy’s Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit, the only one of its kind on the east coast. After retiring from the Navy in 2008, Alex “put on the hat” again and went to work offshore for Cal Dive International.  He moved his way to Diver 1/Supervisor and dived on many different offshore oil and gas dynamics such as hot taps, oil rig abatement, underwater burning and oil rig pipeline inspection and repair.

Seeing an opportunity in 2013 to exercise leadership and bestow a passion for Commercial Diving, Alex took the Lead Supervisor position at CDA Institute, Deep Water Training Center in Ocala, Florida. Alex and his family reside there where you can find him directing his trade to young and inspiring minds.

LINDA SCOTT, DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL AID

Ms. Scott has worked in the Financial Aid field for 27 years, where she has assisted students in putting together a funding plan that makes school affordable.  She earned her MBA in Accounting from University of Phoenix in 2003.  When not helping students, Ms. Scott enjoys spending time with her Grandchildren.  

TRAIS ANDERSH - FINANCIAL AID ADMINISTRATOR

RHONDA MURPHY, FINANCIAL AID ADMINISTRATOR

MIRALEM ISAKOVIC, FINANCIAL AID ADMINISTRATOR  

DREW DUFFY, ADMISSIONS REPRESENTATIVE

Mr. Duffy is a Veteran of the USN, serving for nine years as a helicopter crew chief, flight instructor, and trainer. Over the last 14 years, he has worked for post-secondary educational institutions & regional workforce development organizations. He has held assorted positions such as Business Office Manager, Corporate Trainer, Employment Specialist, Employer Liaison and Director of Graduate Services. He is a member of the American Welding Society and an active player in the Northeast Florida Section. Mr. Duffy was recruited to CDA because of his welding industry and educational experience and is currently the Admissions Specialist for the Maritime Welding Program. His duties include recruiting and placement assistance.

SCOTT LEVINE, ADMISSIONS REPRESENTATIVE 

Mr. Levine is originally from Massachusetts.  He moved to Jacksonville, FL to attend Jacksonville University, majoring in Marketing and minoring in Management.  He has over 6 years of experience in the educational field.  He is currently an Admissions Representative with CDA Technical Institute.  He enjoys working with students, servicing them through the admissions process, watching them graduate and pursue their career objectives.

LARRY WILLIAMS, ADMISSIONS REPRESENTATIVE

In 2008, Mr. Williams launched a second career after retiring from FedEx after 14 years of service. He now has worked in acedmic recruitment for over 20 years. Prior to joining the CDA team, he worked as an Admissions Director and VP of Admissions as well as a Admission Represenitive.  Mr. Williams earned a Bachelor’s degree in Higher Education Management from Florida Metropolitan University.   Mr. Williams has a passion for helping adults to realize the possibilities of achieving success through education and training.  Larry enjoys cycling and spending time with his family, when he is not working.

RICHARD FEGELEY, NASE PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Mr. Fegeley was originally from Jacksonville, Florida, but grew up in New Jersey where his love for the water began. Throughout his grade school years he was a state swimmer and would work the weekends at a local marina. He moved back to Jacksonville to attend college where he majored in Business with a minor in Marketing. He brings 17 years of experience in Customer Service and Retail Management. For the last 10 years, he has been involved in recreational scuba. Currently he holds the title Director of Operations for The National Academy of Scuba Educators (NASE Worldwide). Richard strives to be a positive contributor to lives of the students at CDA. He believes in enhancing their experience during free time and after school through Scuba.

SHARLAYNE SCOTT, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Sharlayne Brown Scott moved to Jacksonville from Charlotte, North Carolina; September of 2017. She joined the CDA family as Executive Assistant the same month. Her background is in Early Childhood Education Directorship and Home Healthcare Management. Being that she is a people-person, her favorite past-time is hanging out with her husband/family, traveling, event planning and helping others