CMAHC Ambassador Program

Sarah has always loved science.  As a child born and raised in Logan, Utah, she spent her time figuring out what tree bark is made of, playing with magnifying glasses and ants, experimenting with baking soda and vinegar, and learning the best way to reuse old textbooks.  She began her public health career as a laboratory technician and water sampler, where she would collect drinking water, pool, and spa samples to test for coliform bacteria, conduct urine analysis for drugs of abuse, and count and speciate mosquitoes. Eventually, she completed her Bachelor’s in Exercise Science at Utah State University and became a Registered Environmental Health Scientist. 

Sarah loves to learn and continues to study Environmental Health. On the pH scale, Sarah considers herself between a 12 and a 13, as she is relatively basic. She has participated in many programs at the local health departments in Utah, including performing drinking water sanitary surveys, body art inspections, food inspections, mass gathering inspections, tanning facility inspections, used oil inspections, and pool inspections. She currently works as a rule writer for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, updating the Utah Pool rule to include new design and technology regulations. 

Sarah is dedicated to keeping aquatic facilities safe and healthy. She has been known to travel throughout the state of Utah talking about cryptosporidium and keeping poop out of public pools. Rumor has it that she once taught two hours of a Certified Pool Operator class at the local community college without power or heat in the building during a Utah winter storm. 

Sarah is happily married and has two teenage boys who keep her busy running to soccer games, mountain bike competitions, and other crazy adventures. Sarah's hobbies include soaking in magnesium salt-filled float tanks, singing to her honeybee hives, asking for more vacation time, and figuring out who pees in pools when there is a restroom within 150 feet of the pool deck. 

Tina Dittmar has been the Aquatics Supervisor with the City of Laguna Niguel, in California since 1990. Early in her career she met many incredible Aquatic Professionals, who not only are colleagues, but lifelong friends. Her opportunities to have such an incredible career started while attending a National Recreation Parks Association, Aquatics Management School and Conference. She has had the opportunity to speak at many local, State, and National conferences.

Along with her colleagues/friends, she has had opportunities to take on major roles in being on the social committees for three National Conferences, faculty of several National Aquatic Management Schools, and co-organizer of a California Aquatic Management School in 2004. She has been a Board member and President of the Association of Aquatic Professionals organization.

Tina has been a lifeguarding, water safety instructor trainer and AFO.  She was a member of the Advisory Group for the American Red Swimming and Water Safety r. ’04 and American Red Cross Lifeguarding r’ 06. In 2012 she had the opportunity to work on the American Red Cross’ Lifeguard Management program. In 2004, Tina was chosen as a "Who’s Who" in Aquatics by Aquatics International magazine. In 2005 She was awarded a Western Publication ‘Maggie Award’ for Best Regularly Featured Department for “Lessons Learned,” and in 2007 she was named at one of Aquatics International Power 25. The United States Coast Guard recognized her for her participation on an Aviation emergency egress training for open water survival skills. In December 2023, Tina was recognized as a Competitor AOAP Aquatic Professional of the Month.

Tina appeared in the reality TV show “Amish in the City” as an American Red Cross CPR and water safety instructor.  You can also see her in the “06 ARC Lifeguard training video as the “woman in the flowered swim cap” and “pool manager." During her career she has conducted many print and television interviews as an aquatic professional by organizations such as; The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, New Woman Magazine, Aquatics International, Laguna Niguel News, Orange County Register, and KTLA morning news,   

Mike is currently the Aquatics Supervisor for the City of Lompoc at the Lompoc Aquatic Center where he oversees the day-to-day operations of a large, indoor multi-attraction aquatic facility. Prior to his current position, Mike held positions with the YMCA of the USA as the Aquatic Safety Specialist and the American National Red Cross as the Manager for Aquatics Technical Development. Mike has been involved in the aquatics field for over 35 years and has held various aquatic supervisory positions in California, Florida and Virginia. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education with a major in Recreation Administration and a minor in Outdoor Recreation from the University of Tennessee. Mike is a cofounder and past president of the Association of Aquatic Professionals (AOAP) and a former commissioner on the City of Morro Bay’s Recreation Commission (2018-2022). He currently serves on the CMAHC Education Committee.

As President of StarGuard ELITE, Wess oversees all aspects of the company's aquatic safety and risk prevention operations.  This includes product development, client service programs, business development, project consulting, strategic partnerships, and representing SGE in numerous industry organizations. Prior to joining SGE in 2013, Wess worked throughout the aquatics industry with leadership positions at various levels for many of the world's top resorts and waterparks including Atlantis the Palm Dubai, Walt Disney World, and Palace Entertainment. Wess has worked as both an operator and a consultant for projects of every size providing support for initial concept, construction, operational development, safety consulting, staff training, and regulatory compliance. 

Wess speaks at industry conferences and trainings around the world and is active within numerous other industry organizations. Wess received the World Waterpark Association's Kelly Ogle Memorial Safety Award in 2020 and received Aquatic International's Power Award in 2021. Additionally, Wess serves on various industry boards and committees including: World Waterpark Association Board of Directors (2022-current), CMAHC Lifeguarding & Bather Surveillance Committee, NDPA Advisory Council, Surf Park Central's Safety, Risk, and Insurance Committee Co-Chair, WWA Safety Committee (2014-2022, Committee Chair from 2019-2022), US National Water Safety Action Plan Lifeguard & Surveillance Committee, and ASTM F24.70 Member.

Sue and Mick established their swim club and constructed an indoor facility in Danville, Illinois, in 1972. In 1974, they founded Nelson’s Swim Supply, a business that sells pool, spa, and aquatic equipment retail and wholesale. In 1982, they established NSS Inc., which provides services for designing, constructing, and consulting for aquatic facilities. In 1994, they started WaterWay Therapy Inc., which is among the first privately owned and operated Medicare-approved outpatient Aquatic Physical Therapy centers in the country. In 2001, they created Poolside Health & Wellness Center, which housed the USA Swim Club, Water Way Therapy, and Swim America learn-to-swim program and served as a full-service land and water community health and wellness center. 2004 both joined USA Swimming to develop the USA Swimming Facilities Department. Mick specializes in business development, water treatment, and aquatic facility design, while Sue focuses on aquatic programming. In 2020, they retired from USA Swimming and established Total Aquatic Programming, LLC. They continue to organize the National Build & Program A Pool Conference annually and offer consultation services for cities and individuals interested in creating and operating an Aquatic Center for their communities.

Joe Stefanyak is a Director with Jeff Ellis & Associates, Inc., where he brings over 30 years of aquatic industry experience. In his current role, Joe is responsible for client relationships, which includes 600 municipalities, corporate and private waterparks, and water resorts throughout the United States and in various countries abroad. He works with each to continue the evaluation and implementation of the standard operating procedure in relation to the Comprehensive Aquatic Risk Management Program. A well-respected leader in the aquatics industry, Joe has contributed to several textbooks, articles, industry publications, and webinars. Joe is also an active participant in IAAPA, WWA, AIMS, NAARSO, AOAP, PAPA and various state and regional committees, and is a participating member of ASTM. Joe was a part of the original MAHC Operator Training Technical Committee and CMAHC Annex Review Committee, and is currently a member of both the CMAHC Technical Review Committee and the CMAHC Education Committee. Joe's awards and accolades include: 2014 World Waterpark Association – Kelly Ogle Memorial Safety Award Recipient; 2016 E&A Legacy of Service Award; 2020 POWER 10 by Aquatics International Magazine; and most recently, the 2022 World Waterpark Association – Al Turner Memorial Safety Award Recipient. 

Miklos Valdez is the Studio Director for the Counsilman-Hunsaker Aquatic Management Program (CHAMP) Studio which provides services to enhance safety and sustainability at aquatic centers. In the role of Studio Director, Miklos’ primary responsibilities are focused on Counsilman-Hunsaker Aquatic Management Program services including facility operations analysis and feasibility study analysis. Miklos has over 10 years of recreation and aquatics experience as a pool and waterpark operator of indoor and outdoor facilities, competition pools, and fitness facilities. His facility management expertise provides a vast understanding of aquatics operations including large scale facility operations encompassing everything from pool chemical maintenance to swim meet management.

Miklos earned a degree from Baylor University and holds certifications as a Certified Pool Operator Instructor, Lifeguard Instructor Trainer, Aquatic Examiner, Water Safety Instructor, and CPR/First Aid Instructor Trainer. He has served as the Technical Review Committee Chair for the MAHC 5th Edition, served on the 4th Edition Technical Review Committee as a member, and is a member of the CMAHC Education Committee.