Lad Handelman

Board Member

Lad Handelman is recognized as a pioneer in commercial diving and offshore gas and oilfield industry. He has compiled more than twenty-five years of management and administration skills and experience in his role(s) as founder and CEO of two large international organizations specializing in marine and underwater technology and construction. Oceaneering International, Inc., 1969-80 (NYSE: OII) and Cal Dive International, Inc., 1980-90 (NYSE: HLX). Lad also founded two hospital-based hyperbaric contract services companies, Clinical Hyperbaric Technologies, Inc. and Oxycare, Inc. In 1990, Lad co-founded the Marine Mammal Consulting Group, nationally recognized as an environmental leader specializing in marine mammal mitigation efforts, overseeing that aspect of various industrial, governmental and military projects.

Lad suffered a broken neck while snow skiing in 1985. Following his recovery, he founded a spinal injury support group, Outlook, a nonprofit organization that helps the wheelchair population in Santa Barbara, CA. Lad serves on the Board of Directors of the United Boys and Girls Clubs, Board of Directors of the Historical Diving Society, Santa Barbara City College Marine Technology Advisory Committee, lifetime member of the Association of Diving Contractors, and a member of the Western States Petroleum Association. Lad’s awards include induction into the Offshore Energy Hall of Fame as an Industry Pioneer, Historical Diver Magazine Pioneer Award and induction into the Association of Diving Contractors Hall of Fame. He attended the Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.