Spencer Slate, born and raised in Winston-Salem, NC taught himself to dive before age 15. After graduation from East Carolina University, he moved to Jacksonville, Florida and taught high school business classes while teaching SCUBA at the Jacksonville YMCA nights and weekends.  He arranged trips to Key Largo for his students, and fell in love with the Keys.

Slate moved to Key Largo in 1978 and opened Slate's Atlantis Dive Center, beginning with one boat.  Today Capt Slate's has grown to four large diesel powered boat and three store locations, as well as operating the water sports concession at the Howard Johnson Resort.  The Dive Center also offers career development courses for those wishing to become SCUBA instructors for YMCA or NAUI.

Capt. slate is also active in the Upper Keys community.  He is on the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors, and a charter member of Key Largo Rotary Club.  He is President of the statewide Florida Association of Dive Operators and Past President of the Keys Association of Dive Operators. Slate loves being a part of Key Largo and is looking forward to his 30th year here.