2018 Pacific Northwest Aquatic Conference

September 24 & 25, 2018
Great Wolf Lodge | Centralia, WA

 

Registration Schedule & Sessions
Event Venue Event Speakers

 

George Deines
Counsilman-Hunsaker Aquatics Consultants

George works as a Project Manager with Counsilman-Hunsaker Aquatic Consultants in Dallas, Texas. With 15 years of operations experience in the aquatic industry, George is a valuable source when it comes to aquatic operations. George earned a degree from the University of North Texas and holds certifications as an Aquatic Facility Operator, Certified Pool Operator, Lifeguard Training Instructor-Trainer, and Certified Professional Food Manager. His vast knowledge of operating aquatic facilities has earned him a reputation as an industry leader, author, and speaker. In the role of Project Manager, his primary responsibilities focus on feasibility study analysis in addition to aquatic operations services.

Matt Haynes
American Red Cross

Matt has been an American Red Cross Lifeguard for over 20 years and is an Instructor and Instructor Trainer in all their aquatic programs as well as a paramedic. He began his Aquatics career with the YMCA in the camping industry in 1999 and has run numerous aquatics facilities across the state of Alabama where he currently resides in Birmingham. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Biology with a pre-med concentration from Huntingdon College, a Master's Degree in Business Management, and an MBA from Troy University. He began working for the American Red Cross in 2012 as an Aquatics Specialist and now serves as the Product Manager for Lifeguarding and the Aquatic Examiner Service and served as one of the contributors to the American Red Cross Aquatic Attraction Lifeguard Program and the 2017 American Red Cross Lifeguard Program.

Bill O'Melia
Drennen's Dreams Foundation

Bill's oldest son, Drennen, drowned on June 6, 2010, in a lifeguarded pool. He was 12 years old, an excellent swimmer, and had just started his 7th year of competitive swimming. Since May 2014, Bill has shared his story with thousands of lifeguards and aquatics professionals nationally.



Jim Wheeler
San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department

In the aquatic industry, Jim is known as one of the most entertaining and informative speakers on the subjects of aquatic risk management, safety, and training. Jim is currently the Leisure and Aquatic Services Manager for the City and County of San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department overseeing 35 parks and recreation facilities, including 9 pools. Jim’s background includes working at waterfronts, beaches, pools and water parks and it’s this extraordinary blend of hands-on experience that gives him a unique and innovative perspective on aquatic operational safety and training. Working in the field for over thirty years, Jim has contributed as a leader to the National Recreation and Park Association, California Park, and Recreation Society, and United States Masters Swimming. In 2007 he was selected as one of Aquatic International Magazine’s “Power 25 in Aquatics” and has received professional awards that include two California Park and Recreation Society Presidential Awards, two SCPPOA Citation award, the International Swimming Hall of Fame’s Paragon Award for Aquatic Safety, and distinguished service awards from the National Recreation and Park Association and US Masters Swimming.

 

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