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Global Entrepreneur Wayne B. Brown Releases First Book
NEW NON-FICTION BOOK NOW AVAILABLE
From Rags to Enrichment: How I Define Success in Business and in Life Global Entrepreneur Wayne B. Brown Releases First Book
[Augusta, GA,] – Highly successful entrepreneur Wayne B. Brown is pleased to announce the release of his first book, From Rags to Enrichment: How I Define Success in Business and in Life. The book offers practical business advice and personal anecdotes from the author’s career as a former Air Force medic and multi-location Taco Bell franchise owner, to his current venture as owner/CEO of Aggressor Adventures, one of the world’s leading providers of 5-star luxury scuba diving yacht charters, river cruises, floating resorts and signature lodges.
About the BookExcerpted from the Preface: “This book is a very personal account of how I define success, what motivates me to succeed, and why. As much as I wish it was a step-by-step guide to sure-fire success, it’s not. Instead, it’s a collection of essays I hope will provide insight into how the decisions I’ve made in both my personal life and my business life have added up to what I call enrichment. I don’t envision you reading this book in one sitting. I hope you’ll keep it on your desk and reach for it when you’ve got a few minutes to spare, and you could use a fresh perspective or maybe some encouragement.”
The 210-page book, From Rags to Enrichment: How I Define Success in Business and in Life, includes a QR code link to a Bonus Section, which includes photos, videos, and interviews with author Wayne B. Brown.
Limited-edition, signed and numbered hardcover books will be available directly from the author. A portion of proceeds from the sale of limited-edition hardcover copies will benefit Sea of Change, a nonprofit organization founded by Wayne B. Brown to support worldwide conservation and research initiatives. The paperback version is available at select booksellers. Paperback and digital versions are available on Amazon.com.
Additional information is available at www.waynebbrown.com.
Lucky winner will receive bounty of prizes
Aggressor Adventures to Celebrate Milestone 350,000th Guest
Lucky winner will receive bounty of prizes
Aggressor Adventures will welcome its 350,000th guest aboard one of its luxury, adventure vacations who will be awarded prizes valued at more than $11,000 in 2024.
Aggressor began in 1984 with one liveaboard yacht in the Cayman Islands. Today, its yachts and services include river cruises, wildlife photo safaris, bird watching and a new signature lodge in Thailand in 2025.
"Forty years and 350,000 guests; what a milestone that most companies never get to," said Aggressor CEO Wayne Brown, who will personally deliver the prizes in a surprise visit as the winner begins his or her trip. "Through everything that the world, weather and governments throw at us, our one goal over these 40 years has always been to deliver on our motto: Adventures of a Lifetime, Brown said. I look forward to honoring our 350,000th guest, in person, at one of our destinations around the world."
If you are our 350,000th guest in 2024, you could win:
- A free trip for two on your choice of Caribbean Aggressor Liveaboards, which offer scuba trips in the Bahamas, Belize, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Roatan and Turks & Caicos.
- A set of Mares scuba equipment, including the Mares Magellan BCD, ADJ 62X Regulator and SXS Octopus and Puck Pro+ dive computer.
- DAN Traveler Plan Coverage travel insurance.
- Spacefish Army rash guard, leggings, socks and headband.
You could be the lucky winner, so reserve your adventure online at aggressor.com or call 800-348-2628 or 1-706-993-2531.
Sea of Change Foundation recognizes Dan Orr with Lifetime Explorer Award 2024
The Sea of Change Foundation is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors has nominated and chosen Dan Orr to receive the 2024 Lifetime Explorer Award. Each year the Foundation’s Board of Directors honors an individual for a lifetime of excellence in environmental awareness and exploration. Mr. Orr joins the esteemed ranks of past Lifetime Explorer awardees such as Captain Wayne Hasson, Doug McNeese, Jean-Michel Cousteau, and Michele Westmorland. The official award will be presented at the Aggressor Adventures® DEMA-2024 booth #5045 in Las Vegas, Nevada on Thursday, November 21 at 5 pm local time.
During his 23 years of service at Divers Alert Network (DAN), Orr held various positions from Director of Training to President/CEO. He used grassroots approaches to educate divers about DAN and traveled the world to further DAN’s diver safety mission. One of Orr’s early roles at DAN was to develop and implement the DAN Emergency Oxygen First Aid Program that has become the standard of care in providing first aid to injured divers. Now a diving industry consultant, Orr continues to share his diving safety expertise through regular free-diver safety webinars and invited presentations at national and international diving conventions. Orr has authored several books and written hundreds of articles on various diver safety topics. Over the years, Orr has held professional memberships and leadership positions in many notable diving organizations such as the YMCA, NAUI, PADI the International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers (IANTD), The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS), the National Association for Cave Diving (NACD), the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA), the Academy of Underwater Arts & Sciences (AUAS), the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS), Force Blue, the Women Divers Hall of Fame (WDHOF, Ambassador), the Institute of Diving, the Explorers Club and the Historical Diving Society.
Founded by leaders in the scuba diving industry nearly 10 years ago and as the official conservation non-profit partner of Aggressor Adventures, the Sea of Change Foundation’s mission is to create positive change for the natural world we all love to enjoy and explore. “Recognizing Dan’s dedication to both safe diving and promoting big adventures is our honor”, said Wayne Brown, Chairman of the Foundation’s Board and CEO of Aggressor Adventures®. “Dan’s friendship and guidance in diving have been personally invaluable to me; I’m thrilled we have this opportunity to publicly recognize all his hard work”, said Samantha Whitcraft, the Foundation’s Executive Director. “Dan Orr is truly a lifetime explorer, blazing a trail of safe diving for us all to follow.”
_______________ About the Sea of Change Foundation: The Sea of Change Foundation funds conservation and research initiatives that directly impact the natural world we all love to enjoy and explore. Our mission is to create positive change. Learn more about and support the foundation, here: donate.
Indulge your passion for cooking and diving on BVI Aggressor
Indulge your passion for cooking and diving on this Aggressor Adventures Caribbean cruise.
Cooking Classes aboard the BVI Aggressor
Tortola, BVI—Hone your cooking skills under the guidance of an expert chef while exploring the British Virgin Islands this fall aboard one of Aggressor Adventures’ luxury yachts.
Cruising with Chef Brad includes a seven-night charter trip October 12-19, 2024 aboard the BVI Aggressor® dive yacht. The cruise departs from Tortola British Virgin Islands with stops at diving and snorkeling sites near the Norman, Peter and Cooper Islands and Virgin Gorda.
Chef Bradley Botha, the chef on the BVI Aggressor, will teach guests how to prepare family-style cuisine with a diverse range of dishes from around the world, including fresh breads, appetizers, soups, entrees and desserts. Cooking classes, about 45 minutes to an hour, are held at mid-morning after the dive and throughout the day.
The intimate setting of the BVI Aggressor yacht allows for personalized attention, ensuring that you refine your skills along the way, says Aggressor Adventure® company CEO Wayne Brown. Whether you’re a novice in the kitchen or a seasoned home cook looking to expand your repertoire, Chef Brad’s classes cater to all levels of expertise.
Originally from South Africa, Botha discovered his culinary passion at the age of 7, helping his grandmother make and sell baked cakes and treats. He graduated from the Silwood School of Cookery in South Africa, known globally for its culinary excellence. He has worked for esteemed dining establishments, including Food Barn, Dish Catering, Woolworths Taste Magazine and Myoga and has also served aboard the Turks & Caicos Aggressor II® yacht.
Galapagos Aggressor III Staff Collects 353 lbs. of Coastal Trash
Galapagos Aggressor III Staff Collects 353 lbs. of Coastal Trash
Augusta, Georgia. April 17, 2024: As a leader in sustainable ecotourism and international adventure travel, Aggressor Adventures® encourages shoreline clean-ups around the world. Recently, Galapagos Aggressor III staff dedicated approximately 20 man-hours to a shoreline clean-up, filling 25 trash bags with 353 pounds of trash.
“Divers love the Galapagos for its amazing wildlife both underwater and on land, so helping to keep the shoreline clean is important to us,” said Samantha Whitcraft, Aggressor’s Director of Conservation and Outreach. She continued, “scientists found that lost/discarded fishing gear (lines, nets, ropes, hooks, traps), bags, and balloons pose the greatest entanglement threats to marine wildlife.” Thankfully, much of the removed trash consisted of fishing-related trash thereby decreasing the potential for life-threatening entanglements of indigenous, coastal wildlife that use the area for resting, feeding, or breeding.”
This was a challenging but important site to access at Itabaca Channel, Isla Santa Cruz. “Due to currents from the south-east, marine debris accumulates there regularly, and it can only be accessed via dinghy. The area provides habitat of many seabirds and reptiles like marine iguanas, land iguanas, and lava lizards,” said Stefan Tinner, Cruise Director, Galapagos Aggressor III who coordinated the clean-up. “Thanks to the municipality of Santa Cruz, all the collected garbage was securely disposed of at the official town dump,” he concluded.
Aggressor Adventure’s CEO Wayne Brown says “We implement the four R’s of sustainable use – Reduce, Re-use, Re-purpose, and Recycle – across all operations because doing so can help reduce the amount of trash entering our oceans to begin with. I’m proud of our staff and their success with this challenging shoreline clean-up. As a company, we will continue to be pro-active when it comes to keeping our adventures environmentally sustainable for our customers, for future generations, and for the planet. And with our Green the Fleet® sustainability initiatives, we can be part of the solution and help our guests understand how they can join us in our on-going efforts to create positive change.”
Belize Aggressor IV Staff Collects 136 lbs. of Coastal Trash
Belize Aggressor IV Staff Collects 136 lbs. of Coastal Trash
Augusta, Georgia. March 18, 2024: As a leader in sustainable ecotourism and international adventure travel, Aggressor Adventures® encourages shoreline clean-ups around the world. Recently, five Aggressor staff dedicated 10+ man-hours to cleaning-up the shoreline of Treasure Island, Honduras while the Belize Aggressor IV was in dry dock, filling over 17 trash bags with 136 pounds of trash.
“As divers, we know the oceans need our help now more than ever, and here at Aggressor Adventures we get that,” says Samantha Whitcraft, Aggressor’s Director of Conservation and Outreach. She continued, “scientists estimate that more than nine million metric tons of plastic waste enter the oceans every year comprised mostly of everyday items we all use and discard, usually after only one use.” For example, most of the items cleaned-up during this effort were discarded, single-use plastic from food service such as plastic bottles/caps, straws, plastic cutlery, and to-go containers (5 large garbage bags of it). Another whole bag of more durable but discarded plastics was also collected. The second-most common items that were cleaned-up were paper and metal items – discarded newspapers and magazines; and cans and scrap metal.
With Earth Day right around the corner (April 22), let’s all remember the four R’s of sustainable use – Reduce, Re-use, Re-purpose, and Recycle. Implementing these in our daily lives can help reduce the amount of trash entering our oceans to begin with.
Aggressor Adventure’s CEO Wayne Brown says “We strive every day for excellence in our green operations that are already in place, yet as global adventurers, we witness first-hand the impact pollution has on our surrounding environment, especially our oceans. It’s our responsibility to change that. I’m so proud of our staff and their success with this shoreline clean-up. As a company, we continue to be pro-active when it comes to keeping our adventures environmentally sustainable for our customers, for future generations, and for the planet. By adding a yearly clean-up to our Green the Fleet® sustainability initiatives, we will continue to be part of the solution and help our guests understand how they can join us in our efforts.”
Welcome Back the Thailand Aggressor Offering Two Andaman Sea Itineraries
Welcome Back the Thailand Aggressor Offering Two Andaman Sea Itineraries
Luxury Liveaboard Cruises Dive Surin, Similan and Lanta National Parks
Augusta, Georgia—Thailand is often called the “land of smiles.” Adventure travelers have a lot to smile about as we welcome back the Thailand Aggressor with scuba expeditions exploring the magnificent reefs of the country’s national parks beginning November 2, 2024.
November through April (North Andaman Sea), seven-night charters depart from Thap Lamu Pier, Thailand, and cruise north, stopping at Similan National Park dive sites, including Anitas Reef, East of Eden and Christmas Point. The week culminates with dives at Koh Tachi, Koh Bon and Richelieu Rock in Surin National Park.
May through October (South Andaman Sea), Thailand Aggressor guests will board the 16-passenger yacht at Chalong Pier, south of Phuket. The week’s diving begins at Anemone Reef and the Cruiser Wreck before cruising south to Phi Phi, Racha Noi, Hin Daeng and sites in Lanta National Park.
Thailand’s rich waters are home to whale sharks, manta rays, leopard sharks and over 500 species of spectacular hard and soft corals.
“We are thrilled to welcome the Thailand Aggressor back and offer two exciting itineraries. The marine life, the culture and the beautiful, smiling people of Thailand make this one of my favorite
destinations,” says Aggressor Adventure® company CEO Wayne Brown. “We are so committed to sharing this amazing region with our guests that we will soon offer Aggressor Signature Lodges spa packages in the Chiang Mai district in northern Thailand. An extended stay in this remote, eco-friendly lodge is the perfect complement to an Andaman Sea Thailand Aggressor scuba adventure.”
The Thailand Aggressor is a 16-passenger yacht with three master staterooms and five deluxe staterooms. This 115-foot (35-meter) liveaboard is a floating resort complete with state-of-the art diving amenities, hot tub, sun deck, onboard chef and five-star personal service. The Thailand Aggressor operated in the Andaman Sea from 2013 – 2020 and since has undergone a drydock refit and will launch her maiden voyage Nov 2, 2024.
For additional information, or travel reservations, visit aggressor.com or call 800-348-2628 or 1-706-993-2531.
Aggressor CEO is a Travel Industry Ambassador
Aggressor CEO is a Travel Industry Ambassador
Wayne Brown shares his passion for boutique adventure travel on television and internet.
Augusta, Georgia—Americans are traveling in record numbers and Wayne Brown, CEO of Aggressor Adventures, is inviting thrill-seekers to experience off-the-beaten-path boutique adventures. Television audiences across the country from Arizonia to Colorado to Wisconsin to Florida are hearing how they can snorkel with humpback whales or photograph Asian elephants when they expand their vacation horizons with an Aggressor Adventure®. Company CEO Wayne Brown is sharing his passion for exotic travel in many media outlets including morning television audiences on programs such as Great Day Colorado and Sonoran Living Phoenix.
“Sharing my passion for adventure travel and cultural immersion is the greatest joy of my job, so discussing scuba diving or jungle safaris with television audiences is a pleasure,” says Brown.
“Everyone has a bucket list and I enjoy helping travelers discover that their vacation dreams are within reach. It is possible to scuba dive with giant Pacific manta rays, climb an ancient fortress in Sri Lanka, or walk in the steps of Tutankhamun. Intimate, small group adventure travel is more available and more affordable than most people realize. I just want to spread the word and share the world. Travel creates the greatest moments and greatest memories!”
Wayne Brown’s globetrotting tales are available on aggressor.tv and Inspired by Adventure podcasts.
For additional information, or travel reservations, visit aggressor.com or call 800-348-2628 or 1-706-993-2531.
Aggressor Adventures® and Mares® Announce New Partnership
Aggressor Adventures® and Mares® Announce New Partnership
Mares becomes exclusive scuba gear supplier for Aggressor yachts worldwide
Augusta, Georgia —Aggressor Adventures proudly announces a new partnership with Mares scuba and snorkeling gear for 2024. Mares will become the exclusive supplier and brand of diving equipment for Aggressor’s executive management team, staff and for guests within the rental equipment complement aboard 21 Aggressor Adventures yachts in the world’s most-beautiful diving destinations.
“We are excited to partner with Mares, who shares our high standards, commitment to customer service and passion for adventure travel,” says Aggressor Adventures Chairman and CEO Wayne Brown. “Mares has manufactured exceptional diving gear for over 75 years, and we have been providing adventure travel for over 40 years. We are both committed to the long-term success and growth of scuba diving. We look forward to working together on joint marketing programs and promotions that will benefit dive centers, travel agents and our customers.”In the coming months, Aggressor guests may rent Mares regulators, BCDs, and dive computers during their scuba vacations. If a passenger’s personal dive equipment fails, or their luggage is lost, Aggressor’s onboard staff may provide them “free Mares loaner” gear during their cruise. Mares and Aggressor Adventures will also host joint promotions throughout the year.
Aggressor Adventures reservations can be made through your local travel agent or online at aggressor.com or call 800-348-2628 or 1-706-993-2531.
Birding Watching Added to Aggressor Adventures® Travel
Birding Watching Added to Aggressor Adventures® Travel
Small-group birding expeditions in Sri Lanka and Nile River Valley offer five-star amenities.
Augusta, Georgia — Aggressor Adventures® now offers small-group, professionally-guided birding tours from Aggressor Signature Lodges in Sri Lanka and aboard the Aggressor Nile Queen II river cruiser in Egypt. Expeditions include deluxe accommodations, chef-prepared meals, visits to archeological sites and guided tours with expert birders and naturalists.
“For over 40 years, Aggressor Adventures has offered explorers, scuba divers and nature lovers the ultimate in small group expeditions and now we are applying our experience and passion to bird watching,” says Aggressor Chairman and CEO Wayne Brown. “Our guide-to-client ratio and
dedication to service reflects a more intimate travel experience that birders are seeking.”
Northern Sri Lanka is one of the best places in the world for watching birds, where you may see a wide spectrum of resident and migratory birds on the island. Aggressor Signature Lodges seven-day,
six-night packages include guided jeep tours in Sri Lanka’s Wilpattu, Minneriya and Kalawewa
national wildlife parks. Sri Lanka is home up to 34 endemic bird species and over 450 recorded
species. The parks are also home to elephant herds, jaguars, sloth bears and crocodiles. These small group adventures also include visits to the ancient city of Anuradhapura and Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
Egyptian birds like the Nile Valley Sunbird, Greater Painted-snipe, Red Avadavat and migrating
raptors are a major attraction in the Nile River ecosystem. During six-day, five-night Aggressor Nile Queen II cruises, private guides accompany guests to parks, lakes and Egypt’s archeological treasures. Birding expeditions depart from Luxor and sail to Aswan taking in breathtaking views along Egypt’s Nile River Delta. Transportation to parks and historical sites is included.
For additional information, or reservations, visit aggressor.com or call 800-348-2628 or 1-706-993-2531.
Aggressor Adventures Announces new Signature Lodges Brand
Aggressor Adventures Announces new Signature Lodges Brand
Forty-year Adventure Travel Company Continues Expanding Luxury Brands
Augusta, Georgia —For over forty years, adventure-seekers have trusted Aggressor Adventures® for pampered scuba excursions, and Aggressor’s luxury adventure offerings continue to grow with its newest rebranded, land-based Aggressor Signature Lodges. Travelers will experience extensive cultural immersions, wildlife safaris, birdwatching, archeological tours, hiking and more, at Aggressor Signature Lodges in Sri Lanka, and expansion to Thailand and other destinations in late 2024.
“Our Signature Lodges motto, ‘Life Happens Here,’ encapsulates our goal to deliver world-class experiences coupled with five-star service, meals and accommodations,” says Chairman and CEO Wayne Brown. “Our passion is discovery. That quest is not limited to scuba diving, so we are continuing our expansion to cultural interactions, birding, wildlife safaris, historical expeditions, and photo workshops around the world. We are just getting started, so look for new Lodges in the coming year!”Aggressor Signature Lodges in Sri Lanka offer six-night itinerates that include cultural interactions, wildlife safaris and guided bird watching in the Wilpattu, Minneriya and Kalawewa National Parks.
All Lodges follow Aggressor Adventures’ sustainability guidelines for eco-tourism. Their Green the Fleet® program strives to make the adventure lifestyle environmentally sustainable for our guests while supporting the health of our oceans and lands.
Aggressor Adventures reservations can be made through your local travel agent or online at aggressor.com or call 800-348-2628 or 1-706-993-2531.
Conservation Biologist is Recognized for Her Marine Conservation Efforts
Samantha Whitcraft To Be Inducted Into Women Divers Hall of Fame
Conservation Biologist is Recognized for Her Marine Conservation Efforts
Augusta, Georgia—Aggressor Adventures Director of Conservation & Outreach Samantha Whitcraft will be inducted into the Women Divers Hall of Fame in 2024. Whitcraft is recognized for her efforts to protect and preserve marine environments worldwide.
“I am so deeply honored and humbled to be counted among the incredible leaders and change-makers in the Women Divers Hall of Fame, many of whom have long been my mentors, role models, and heroes throughout my career. I am and will always be grateful to them for their guidance,” says Whitcraft. “In conservation, success often requires a team, and I’ve been blessed to work with some of the best including the New England Aquarium, NOAA-Fisheries Early Life History Lab, Shark Savers, Oceanic Society, and now the Sea of Change Foundation.”
Every year, the Women Divers Hall of Fame acknowledges women divers who have made outstanding contributions to the exploration, understanding, safety and enjoyment of our underwater world. The Hall of Fame supports the underwater world and its associated careers by promoting opportunities in diving through grants, scholarships, internships and mentoring, as well as providing a worldwide network of industry contacts. The Women Divers Hall of Fame was founded in 1999.
Samantha Whitcraft is a marine conservation biologist, environmentalist and oceans advocate. Logging 5000+ research and educational dives around the world, she created the first classroom-at-sea in Gardens of the Queen National Park, Cuba. After earning her Bachelor’s in natural science at Harvard and her Master of Marine Affairs & Policy at University of Miami, she worked to legally protect endangered marine species, especially sharks, whales, and manatees. She has studied coral reef MPAs’ connectivity and investigated the shark fin trade in China, all while promoting sustainable ecotourism over her 30+ year career. Whitcraft initiated and developed Aggressor Adventures® award-winning sustainability program, Green the Fleet®, and is Executive Director of the Sea of Change Foundation, providing leadership in community-based conservation around the globe. Aggressor Liveaboards® was among the first in the scuba industry to create and maintain a dedicated Director of Conservation & Outreach position.