National Swimming Pool Foundation® Announces Promotions

Source: National Swimming Pool Foundation

Colorado Springs, CO/December 4, 2014 — Non-profit National Swimming Pool Foundation® (NSPF®) announces five promotions in response to growing demand in scope and geography for NSPF training materials and programs. 

The promotions are of existing team members who have proven excellence in supporting NSPF Instructors and professionals who strive to keep pools safer, keep pools open, and encourage more people to become active in the water. “Our training scope has grown across all industry segments. Our geographical reach has grown with a key executive in Brussels, and over 110 authorized instructors outside the U.S.,” commented Thomas M. Lachocki, Ph.D., and CEO of the NSPF. “We are educating professionals online and in person with materials in Spanish, French, Russian, and Ukrainian,” he added.

The National Swimming Pool Foundation has witnessed 11 consecutive years of mission-focused educational growth and forecasts continued increases for 2015. “NSPF plays a key and unique role among thought leaders in our field. The NSPF Authorized Instructors we are honored to support are the leading industry educators. NSPF reinvests training revenue into research and philanthropic giving that enhances safer aquatic experiences and fosters growth,” explained Scot Hunsaker, President of the NSPF Board of Directors. “We are stronger than ever as we enter our 50th anniversary year,” he added.

Alex Antoniou, Ph.D., is promoted to Chief Marketing and Information
Officer, a new leadership position at NSPF. Dr. Antoniou takes over direction and management of all aspects of marketing for the organization, including writing marketing plans, guiding development of educational materials, websites, creative, media relations and social media. He will oversee and guide IT processes. Alex has worked with NSPF since 2004, as Director of Educational Programs. Prior to NSPF, he directed all aquatic programming and supervision for Rutgers University. Dr. Antoniou is esteemed for his award-winning emergency action and in-service training programs. He has also established operating procedures and programming for commercial pool facilities that have exceeded nationally recognized standards.

Michelle Kavanaugh, B.A., is promoted to Mission Development Director for U.S. and Canada, a new position.
Michelle will oversee all mission (business) development, customer service, fulfillment, and customer support, including management of conferences and trade shows, and planning and execution of the twelfth World Aquatic Health™ Conference (WAHC™), scheduled in Scottsdale, Arizona, October 7-9, 2015. Michelle has worked with NSPF since 2005, managing mission development, marketing and the WAHC. She holds a degree in economics and has a long history of community volunteerism.

Silvia Uribe, B.A., is promoted to Mission Development Director for all International Markets, also a new position.
Silvia will lead all business development and customer service outside the U.S. and Canada. In March, as International Business Manager, Silvia relocated to Brussels from Colorado Springs to better support international mission-focused training partners. She joined NSPF in February of 2008 as the Special Project Coordinator focusing on Spanish translation, interpretation and education development. Silvia earned her degree in Business Administration from the Technological Institute of Juarez, Mexico. She has worked as a translator, interpreter and instructor, receiving numerous certifications and awards.

Natalie Strong is promoted to Senior Customer Service Specialist.
In this newly created position, Natalie will help develop and support a cohesive customer service team, performing supervision and leadership, to assure NSPF is providing excellent experiences for its customers. Natalie has worked with NSPF since 2012 as a customer service and fulfillment specialist. She has been a lifeguard for more than eight years, swim instructor for more than four years, and loves everything aquatics.

Paloma Betancourt is promoted to the position of International Mission Development Specialist.
Paloma has been a proactive member of NSPF and joined the organization in 2014. With her extensive experience in customer service and organizational skills, she’ll support NSPF’s training distribution partner, APPAC in Mexico and Central and South America. Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Paloma studied Architecture and Industrial Design in both Universidad Politécnica and Universidad del Turabo. In addition to the five promotions, NSPF seeks to fill new positions, a Manager of Product Development and a Marketing Specialist.

About the National Swimming Pool Foundation®
We believe everything we do helps people live healthier lives. We believe we make a difference by encouraging more aquatic activity, making pools safer and keeping them open. NSPF® offers products and programs that are technically sound, convenient, and beautifully designed. We just happen to sell books, training programs, online courses, and organize conferences for thought leaders. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, NSPF has funded over $4 million in grants since 2003 that have impacted policies and practices around the world; and we attract hundreds of professionals from around the globe to the World Aquatic Health™ Conference each year to learn of the latest advances. In 2012 we launched the Step Into Swim™ Campaign, a 10-year initiative to create 1 million more swimmers. NSPF is a founding sponsor of the Conference of the Model Aquatic Health Code (CMAHC) and a silver sponsor for the Swim Today campaign. To take an NSPF training course, go to www.nspf.org, www.HomePoolEssentials.org, or email [email protected].