Get to Know Your Board of Directors

“What are you most proud of regarding your career?”

I’m most proud of the lives we’ve touched over the years, from our swimmers to our employees. When we started Nitro, one of our goals was to create a place where everyone could come and feel a reprieve from everyday life. Secondly, I’m proud of the success we’ve achieved and how that has allowed me to be a blessing to other people.

I am proud to have been a part of training and giving individuals a path to leadership. SwimWest has been a stepping stone for educators, nurses, and other professions that love kids and giving back. I am also proud of the 1000’s of children’s lives in making them safer in and around the water.

TRACY KOLEBER Nitro Swimming 2 locations in Texas & 1 in Indiana USSSA President

I am most proud that I am starting my 10th year at my school and have built a business that has allowed us to make an impact on thousands including my team, children, families and the community.

KAREN CLAY SwimWest Swim School

2 locations in Wisconsin USSSA Treasurer

MELISSA TAYLOR Small Fish Big Fish 1 location in Florida USSSA Director

I would have to say that building our 2nd location from the ground up is what I am most proud of. My business partner, Rob and I worked hard to save up enough money to get the second location up and running. We own the land, building and the operations of this facility, which I never thought would happen when we first purchased Chicago Swim School. I am incredibly proud of this!

If I had to pick 1 thing that I am most proud of regarding my career it would be the opportunity I was given to take the family business that was started when I was a kid and turn it into what it is today. Of course, I owe a lot of my business success and decisions to this wonderful organization and my swim school friends. BRAD GRZELKA Atlanta Swim Academy 1 location in Georgia USSSA Director

BUFFY FOLISE Chicago Swim School 2 locations in Illinois USSSA Vice President

I Love my career. I love that I wake up each and every day with the feeling that I provide an opportunity for people to build confidence in learning a safety and survival skill. I’m proud of my career choice as it provides peace of mind to clients that their loved ones can be safer in and around the water. I also am proud of my choice as I foster a growth and development path of leadership opportunities for my team to become lifeguards and instructors and provide them with the tools to becoming productive members of the community.

I am proud of the SwimKids Team and the more than a million kids’ lives that have been made safer in the past 25 years. I am super proud of the US Swim School Association and the mission we are on to help swim schools better serve their clients! I am excited as Cindy and I have been moving into contribution and looking at ways we can use the skills we have learned in the past 25 years as entrepreneurs and contribute even more local, nationally and internationally. DAVE TONNESEN 4 locations in Virginia USSSA Director

“Choose a job you love, and you will never work a day in your life” Confucius DAVINA LOPEZ Davina’s Swim House 3 locations in Ontario, Canada USSSA Director