Grant W. Graves

Business adviser, Entrepreneur, Explorer, Filmmaker, Idea generator, Inventor, Journalist, Photographer, Scientist, World traveler

Grant W. Graves is an award winning director and director of photography. His emphasis in his work has been on all things water; fresh, frozen, and salt. He works in topside environments as well, generally in hard to access or difficult shooting situations. He has a B.S. in marine biology and is a Cambrian Foundation Research Diver with NOAA diving status. Graves has been a bottom diver on the NOAA USS Monitor Project and is one of the only divers to have penetrated the Monitor engine space to document its in situ condition via video prior to its recovery by the US Navy. He is a scuba diving instructor trainer, cave and wreck diving explorer. His efforts in these areas gained him membership into the Explorers Club of New York and Los Angeles Adventurer Club. He is an International Freediving Judge Instructor having judged multiple world records and world championships. He has been awarded as the best international freediving judge in 2008 and 2011. Graves also holds a US Coast Guard Captain License and multiple ratings in emergency and diving medicine.

Diving in all its forms. I live to explore, educate, research, and preserve all aquatic realms. Professional storytelling, Books, Gourmet Cooking, Wine, My Niece and Nephews.

Redefine failure. So many more to list. Life time learner and forever child eyed wonderluster.

Business Development, Directing, Event organisation/co-ordination, Expert Witness, Freediving, Non profits, Photography, Scuba Instructor, Speaker, Videography

My first encounter with TED were the talks. I love the talks. Then, I realized that there were local events via TEDx and began to go to them. Thank you TEDxSantaMonica, TEDxSoCal, and TEDxManhattanBeach for the powerful introduction to live events. Then, my friend Joichi suggested it would be a good idea to become an organizer, so I did. I love the wide range of topics and the conversations it drives. The community that it builds and the way it allows a safe place for people to think differently and share novel ideas and thoughts is incredible. My involvement has led me to apply for TEDActive and I will be going next year.

I am a good listener. Much more sensitive than most know. Gourmet cook with a intuitive sense for spice.