Jeri’s passion for Great Lakes shipwrecks began in 1976 when she earned her scuba certification in Dearborn, MI, leading her to become a pioneer in shipwreck research, discovery, documenting, preserving and presenting. She co-authored two books, including Shipwrecks of the Straits of Mackinac (1991), and co-founded the Great Lakes Shipwreck Festival in 1979. She was one of the first woman divers dedicated to preserving shipwrecks and maritime history in the Great Lakes, and assisted in establishing the Straits of Mackinac Underwater Preserve and Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Museum. Her highly acclaimed 1980s films of shipwrecks Eber Ward and Sandusky helped document these significant maritime time capsules for history. Jeri has mentored many women divers and made outstanding contributions to the preservation and understanding of Great Lakes shipwrecks. Additionally, she was instrumental in the restoration of the DeTour Reef Lighthouse in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.