Meet The Team
Our guides have more certifications and credentials than we have space here to mention and we take our duties seriously. But it’s important for us to have as much fun as our guests, so we figured we’d take some liberties and share with you who you might expect to come across when visiting our shop in La Jolla Shores. We look forward to seeing you at OEX La Jolla. Enjoy!
Mike Samer
Mike played soccer at the University of Vermont and brings his competitive nature and hard work to OEX every day. After finishing his Master’s degree in Sydney, Mike came home and we quickly brought him on board to help maximize our sales and marketing goals. He has been innovative and creative while driving our brands success throughout. Mike claims to be a waterman, but also told us he boxed kangaroos to pay his way in Australia. When he’s not dropping into massive waves at Blacks Beach he can be found golfing, running and watching the Packers.
Chris Lynch
Born and raised in Northern California, Chris moved to SD for college. He played rugby at SDSU and graduated with a degree in International Economics. He loves to surf and golf, when he gets time. Chris is currently California’s Most Eligible Bachelor according to Cosmopolitan Magazine, so you can ask for his autograph after he leads your tour! Chris dreams big and has the entrepreneurial spirit to follow the California Dream! His vision will continue to shape OEX.
Brian Stevens
Brian played quarterback at Sacramento State Uni, and transferred to SDSU his junior year. Brian is OEX La Jolla’s General Manager and our success is tied directly to his hard working attitude. He also is a Dive Master and has safely guided thousands of dive and kayak tours in La Jolla. Brian comes from Camarillo, CA where he grew up on a Lemon and Avocado Ranch, and he still can toss the pigskin!
Ben Schluter
Ben moved to San Diego from the East Coast to become a Navy Seal, but this great city’s lifestyle hit him hard and OEX was lucky enough to steal him. He graduated from Hartwick College where he played Lacrosse and studied Economics. Ben is OEX’s PR/Event Manager and Store Manager. He has a perfect safety record on the water! He also is an MMA fighter on the side!
Harry Thomas
Harry is from Marin Co., CA, and moved down to San Diego, after leaving Salesforce, to create OEX’s sales team and manage our daily operations. He can also be found on the water a few days a week, and is known as the “Dolphin Whisperer” for his uncanny ability to see dolphin on almost every tour he leads! He played Lacrosse for SMU and graduated with a BS in BA. He also has his Master’s Degree from Sydney’s Macquarie University. He loves to surf and has traveled the world a few times over!
Trevor Fox
Trevor played college soccer at Sonoma State University, but grew up in La Jolla. During the summer he takes up to five tours out a day, and treats every tour like it’s his first. We all love La Jolla but he has an accelerated appreciation and knowledge of the area. He is adding Dive Master to his resume and will eventually be a Dive Instructor. At some point Dr. Trevor Fox will run an Acupuncture practice on Avenida de la Playa.
Ravean Kretowicz
Ravean was born and raised just up the street from OEX. You can find him surfing Devil’s Slide, on a big day, or out fishing beyond the Ecological Reserve. He currently attends SDSU where he is a double major in Music Business and Business Law. Ravean is big part of OEX’s management team and will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of OEX!
Morgan Patterson
Morgan is another La Jollan who is currently studying at CU Boulder. Morgan won employee of the month in July and is one of the hardest working OEX employees. Like most local kids he loves the ocean, beach and surfing.
Nick Lebeouf
Nick ran the ball for Fresno State University’s Football Team, and currently is one of three Master Divers in San Diego. He has been with OEX for half a decade. If you dive with Nick you will never forget your experience.
Michael Smoker
Michael is one of OEX La Jolla’s awesome Dive Instructors, and is also a San Diego Lifeguard. When he isn’t leading OEX’s dive team he can be found swinging from 30 feet about the ground as a trapeze stunt man.
Kyle Drahuschak
Kyle is from Ocean City, NJ where he was a sponsored pro surfer! He moved to San Diego for college and is arguably the best kayak guide in La Jolla. He averages 3-4 five star Yelp reviews a month because his love for the ocean truly shines on each tour! He is finishing up his studies at SDSU, is part of OEX’s management team and is a natural sales and marketing personality.
Sam Matarase
Sam moved down from Oregon after San Diego stole her heart while on a visit. She loves the water and is super excited to be spending all summer safely guiding tours in La Jolla. She is approaching her 100th tour and has done an amazing job at OEX!
Chris Hageman
Chris Hageman came to San Diego from Laguna to study business at USD. He is an avid surfer and all around waterman. Chris is OEX’s Dive Manager and will be working tirelessly to ensure we have the best niche dive shop in San Diego. Chris went on Semester at Sea, and like most OEX employees, loves to travel!
Marcus Gee
Marcus has certified almost a thousand students and has logged nearly ten thousand dives. He loves to dive and each student that comes through OEX! If you get certified with Marcus you will be properly trained to safely dive for the remainder of your life!
Irene Pyun
Irene grew up in Santa Monica and Venice Beach, and moved to San Diego a few years ago to study at UCSD. Irene loves fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, surfing, SUP or anything on the water! She has been very solid as a guide with OEX and knows how to have fun while safely guiding tours. Her dream is to own her own fishing boat and travel the world on it.
Brendan Egan
