Atlanta's Premier Swim School

Brad Grzelka
Vice President
brad@atlantaswimacademy.com
Read Short Bio >

My family began Atlanta Swim Academy over 2 decades ago. During that time, I took lessons, became a certified lifeguard, and began working here part time. Now, as the Vice President of ASA, I look forward to continuing to serve East Cobb for the next 25 years!

Below you can meet my dedicated staff and read short bio's on each of them, including me. Please stop by sometime and say hi. If you'd like to become part of a great team, print and fill out the application to the right.

In Alphabetical Order by First Name
Abby Johnston Lifeguard Read Short Bio > I have loved the water my whole life. My parents had me in the water at 6 months old & I've been hooked ever since. I learned to swim at my neighborhood pool & I even swam competitively for a local, year-round swim team. I took my American Red Cross lifeguard training course right here at Atlanta Swim Academy in 2008. During the course, I was very impressed with the facility and the great staff; I couldn't be happier to be part of the ASA team! I plan on furthering my experience here by teaching swim lessons in the future. I have been home schooled since the second grade. In the future, I would like to become a pediatric nurse or mid-wife. In my spare time I enjoy hanging out with friends or reading a good book.	Andrew Segers Lifeguard Read Short Bio > I have always loved being around the water. At the young age of 4, I started swimming. I was born and raised in Marietta, GA. I have been swimming for my neighborhood summer league swim team for eight years. I swam year round, and then became a certified lifeguard in 2008. I began lifeguarding at neighborhoods during the summer and enjoyed maintaining pools as well as being in the water. I started lifeguarding for ASA during the beginning of summer 2011. I have always been thankful to work in an environment that I enjoy and I am so excited to be a part of the ASA staff!

Andy Shields Swim Team Head Coach/Swim Director andy@atlantaswimacademy.com Read Short Bio > Sports and working with children have been passions of mine for as long as I can remember. I graduated from Elon University in North Carolina with a degree in Health and Physical Education, and since then I have been working in the sports and recreation field as a coach, personal trainer, teacher, and administrator. This has included 4 years in the private school setting, 2 of which were as Athletic Director. I am a USA Swimming Certified Head Coach and hold a Level 2 coaching certification from the ASCA (American Swim Coaches Association). I hold the following American Red Cross certifications: WSI, lifeguarding / first aid, and CPR / AED. I am also a CPO (Certified Pool Operator). Originally from Essex, England, I grew up swimming, running, and playing soccer and rugby. I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to coach all of these sports at a number of different levels with athletes of all ages since moving to the USA to achieve the "American Dream." I am admittedly a fitness fanatic, and I enjoy competing in both road races and triathlons in and around the southeast. I have lived in Atlanta since 2003 and have since started a family with my wife, Stacey. I have two step-sons, Bryan and Connor, and a beautiful daughter named Siena.	Brian Boone Swim Instructor/Lifeguard/Facility Engineer Read Short Bio > I’ve been in and around pools since I was about 5 years old. Summer swim league was always an integral part of my summer breaks, and I even managed to make a few appearances at state meets throughout my swimming career. Even after I outgrew the summer league, I continued my swimming career as an assistant coach to my neighborhood team over the summer months and swam on my high school swim team during the school year. My love for swimming has extended to water polo over the years, and for the last 6 years I have been an active water polo player on a local water polo club team. I obtained my lifeguarding and CPR/AED certifactions in 2008. I’m excited to be working at a facility where I can be a part of a staff that takes pride in passing on their love for the water to the next generation of swimmers.

Bryan Murphy H2O Counselor/Lifeguard Read Short Bio > I am currently a student at Norcross High School where I am an active member of the lacrosse team. I enjoy working and coaching children of all ages. I have been excited about working at Atlanta Swim Academy as both a lifeguard and Kids Camp counselor. I hope to obtain my WSI certification in the near future in the hope of becoming a swim instructor. When I graduate high school, I plan on attending Syracuse University to play lacrosse and earn a degree as an architect or an engineer.	Cara Epstein Swim Instructor/Lifeguard cara@atlantaswimacademy.com Read Short Bio > I absolutely love being in the water. I have been swimming for as long as I can remember. By the age of 5 I was taking lessons. I swam competitively throughout childhood, and in high school I joined the diving team. I am currently a P.E. & Health teacher at Northwest Middle School in Alpharetta. Combining my love for the water with my love for teaching & children was the next logical step. I obtained my lifeguarding and CPR/AED certifications in 2002, and I have been WSI certified since 2006. I've had the great pleasure of teaching swim lessons at ASA since 2008. When I can find a moment to myself, I enjoy traveling, reading, being with my friends & family, and trying new restaurants. I also enjoy competing in triathlons.

Chelsea Bucci Swim Administrator chelsea@atlantaswimacademy.com Read Short Bio > I grew up in Roswell, GA and started swimming lessons shortly after my first birthday; I've been involved with the sport ever since! My competitive swimming background consists of swimming and coaching for a summer swim league, teaching swim lessons, and swimming for Centennial High School swim team for 4 years. I even swam at the state meet in 2005 with Centennial High School and helped bring home the state championship! I have over 5 years experience in health and swim club customer service and as a swim instructor where I taught infants, children, and adults. Outside of the pool, I am a full time student at Georgia State University pursuing a major in Early Childhood Education. I enjoy cardio, weight training, and running marathons. My experience working with students and parents has led me to the dry land side of swimming as an ASA swim administrator. I am so excited about all of the services available at ASA and it's my pleasure to assist you!	Collin ODonnell Swim Instructor/Lifeguard/Facility Engineer collin@atlantaswimacademy.com Read Short Bio > I have always spent a great deal of time in the water swimming; I usually get in a few laps every morning before coming to Atlanta Swim Academy. I swam competitively in high school until I injured my shoulder at a meet, but I continued spending time in the water as an assistant coach to my neighborhood swim team. In 2009, I obtained my WSI, lifeguarding, and CPR/AED certifications right here at ASA, and I've been teaching here ever since! When I'm not here, I enjoy being an active member of Army ROTC, playing Airsoft with friends, and building model ships.

Cori Finglass Lifeguard Read Short Bio > Whether I am at the pool, the beach, or the waterfront at summer camp, I am always happiest when near the water. I am currently a junior at Walton High School. My parents introduced me to the water as a baby. We spent a lot of time at the pool and beach during my summer breaks. When we moved to Marietta, I took swimming lessons at ASA and I returned to ASA to become lifeguard and CPR/AED certified in 2010. I love working with children and look forward to seeing you at the pool!	Courtney Brown H2O Counselor/Swim Instructor/Lifeguard courtney@atlantaswimacademy.com Read Short Bio > I am a student at Walton High School. I have been swimming for many years, including summer teams for 2 years. In my spare time I like to listen to music, read, and study Psychology and Spanish. I obtained my lifeguarding and CPR/AED certifications at ASA in 2009 and my WSI certification in 2011. I've been lifeguarding here ever since! I love lifeguarding at Atlanta Swim Academy because it has a warm, inviting atmosphere and the kids are a lot of fun!

Jack Jones Swim Instructor/Coach/Lifeguard jack@atlantaswimacademy.com Read Short Bio > I have enjoyed being in the water for as long as I can remember. I began swimming competitively with my neighborhood summer league when I was 12. I still compete in a Masters swim program and have been doing so for the last 2 years. I love the challenge that swimming offers, both mentally and physically. My passion for swimming can only be matched for my love of children. In 2007, I attained my WSI certication and combined my two great loves when I started teaching at ASA. I had attained my lifeguarding and CPR/AED certifications in 2000, but something about teaching made me feel right at home at ASA. I am also a USA Swimming Certified Coach, and I have my Level 2 ASCA (American Swim Coaches Association) Coaching certification. I am a full-time student at Kennesaw State University as a Physical Education major; I also a member of the KSU swim team. When I'm not spending time at work, school, or with my family, I enjoy baseball, football, golf, and snowboarding.	Jimmy Lauria Swim Instructor/Lifeguard/Facility Engineer Read Short Bio > I have been swimming since I was 5 years old. I have always loved being around the water, especially the beach. I am currently attending Georgia State University and pursing a major in Hospitality. I hope to one day open my own hotel on the beach. In 2011, I obtained my WSI, lifeguarding, and CPR/AED certifications right here at ASA. In my spare time, I enjoy staying active by playing tennis. My main hobbies include: singing, playing guitar, and hanging out with friends. I also enjoy meeting new people. Don’t hesitate to say “hello” to me if you see me around the building. I am very excited to be a part of the maintenance crew at ASA.

Joey Hopkins Lifeguard Read Short Bio > I first came to ASA to attend a lifeguard training certification course in 2009, but I quickly found that I felt right at home as a lifeguard here. I currently attend Pope high school and I hope to attend UGA after graduating. I was born and raised here in Atlanta, Ga, and in my spare time I enjoy motocross. See you in the water!	John Franklin Swim Instructor/Coach/Lifeguard john@atlantaswimacademy.com Read Short Bio > I’ve been in and around the water since about the age of 4. My parents tell me about how I used to love putting my face in the water, so it was natural for me to start swimming on a summer league at an early age. I started coaching my summer league at 14 years old. After reaching a high level of swim competition, I decided I wanted to push myself even more by joining a year-round swim club. I swam year round between the ages of 12 and 17. I made several appearances at state meets throughout my year-round swimming career. In addition, I swam for the Wheeler High School swim team every year and competed in the state meet each year I was a member. I also played water polo at Wheeler. I am a very competitive person, but I do my best to enjoy the little things. I obtained my lifeguarding and CPR/AED certification in 2009 and more recently my WSI certification right here at ASA in 2011, and I've been teaching here ever since! I am also a USA Swimming Certified Coach, and I have my Level 1 ASCA (American Swim Coaches Association) Coaching certification.

Kevin ODonnell Swim Instructor/Lifeguard kevin@atlantaswimacademy.com Read Short Bio > I have been swimming for as long as I can remember, starting with the neighborhood summer league teams of my youth. I love running, rowing, rock climbing, swimming, hiking, mountain biking, unicycling, and anything that involves being active outdoors. Although I dabble in a variety of athletic activities, my favorite forms of recreation have always involved being in or around the water. I decided to take my love for aquatics to the next level by becoming lifeguarding and CPR/AED certified in 2009. I became a member of the ASA staff in 2010 soon after becoming WSI certified, and though I'm relatively new to the ASA family, I hope to share my passion for the water with a new generation of active, healthy athletes!	Lisa Macdonald Swim Administrator lisa@atlantaswimacademy.com Read Short Bio > I grew up in New Jersey and graduated from Drew University with a B.A. in Psychology. My previous work experience includes bond underwriting and administration. I have always loved swimming and being in the water. My fondest memories include going to the Jersey shore. I have lived in East Cobb for the past fifteen years and love living and working in the community. In my free time I enjoy reading, spending time with my son, David and playing with my rescue dog, Izzy. I love helping people, so stop by the front desk and say hello.

Mandy Arnold H2O Counselor/Swim Instructor/Lifeguard mandy@atlantaswimacademy.com Read Short Bio > Growing up around water was a constant in my childhood and has continued to be a constant in my adult life, as well. Watching my parents enjoying the water made me realize at an early age how important it is to learn how to swim, not to mention how much fun it can be. Now I have the privilege of teaching children the joy of swimming, and I so love to see the happiness on the face of each one of my students when they discover that joy. Sometimes fear of the water can be a challenge, but with positive guidance and loving patience, anyone can overcome this fear. That is my main objective as a teacher here at Atlanta Swim Academy. In addition to a childhood spent swimming, I also swam competitively on my high school team, earning a varsity letter. I obtained my WSI certification through the American Red Cross in 2004, and I have maintained my lifeguarding and CPR/AED certifications since 2003. I have been teaching at ASA since 2004. I am also ASCA (American Swim Coaches Association) Level 1 Coaching certified. I want to be a positive influence on children and can't wait to see them walk through the door with smiling faces. See ya in the water!!	Meg Waddell H2O Counselor/Swim Instructor/Lifeguard meg@atlantaswimacademy.com Read Short Bio > I was born in Florida and I have spent most of my life in & around the water. Some of my fondest childhood memories include summers spent at the beach. When my family moved to Georgia, my love of the water evolved as I began to learn skill & technique right here at Atlanta Swim Academy! I have maintained my lifeguarding and CPR/AED certifications since 2001, but I decided to combine my passion for aquatics with my love for children when I became WSI certified in 2002. I've been teaching at ASA ever since! I have also taken the United States Swim School Association Infant Toddler Course. Being able to share my passion for swimming at ASA (where my own journey in the water began) has been such a rewarding, pleasurable experience; I'm very grateful for every opportunity I have to share that passion with my students. Be sure to stop in & say hello!

Mollie Suskay Swim Instructor/Coach/Lifeguard mollie@atlantaswimacademy.com Read Short Bio > I have been a swimmer since the age of five. I swam for my neighborhood swim team as a child and later joined a year round swim team. I also received the opportunity to be an assistant swim coach for a Swim Team for five years. I graduated from St. Francis High School and continued my education at Georgia Southwestern State University. I am expecting to graduate at the end of May, 2011 with a degree in Recreation and Education. In my spare time, I enjoy swimming, exercising, hiking, and spending time with friends. In 2009, I obtained my WSI, lifeguarding, and CPR/AED certifications right here at ASA. Currently, I am a Swim Instructor and Lifeguard for ASA. I am also a USA Swimming Certified Coach, and I have my Level 1 ASCA (American Swim Coaches Association) Coaching certification.	Nicole Conklin Coach/Lifeguard nicole@atlantaswimacademy.com Read Short Bio > My love of water began at the young age of 3 years old. My parents enrolled me for group lessons at Atlanta Swim Academy. From there, I started summer swim team at age 5. In 2010, at the age of 15, I became the assistant coach for my summer swim team. I soon realized that my passion in life is swimming and teaching children. I obtained my CPR certification in 2006, LGT certification in 2010, and my WSI certification in 2011. I am a student at Walton High School and I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I love to volunteer in my community of East Cobb and have been since 2006. In 2011, I became a certified life coach, so I have had many hours of experience working with young people in my community and around the world. I am thrilled to be working with this generation of youths!

Owen Sweitzer Swim Instructor/Assistant Head Coach/ARC Instructor owen@atlantaswimacademy.com Read Short Bio > The water plays a big part in my life. Growing up in Georgia, swimming was my first love, followed shortly thereafter by water polo. I've been swimming for summer swim teams since I was 7 years old. I swam on the varsity swim team at Wheeler for 4 years, each year competing as a state finalist. I also helped found the Atlanta Water Polo League and established Wheeler High School's water polo program. I obtained my lifeguarding and CPR/AED certifications in 2009, my WSI certification in 2010 and my Lifegured Instructor certification in 2011; I've been a member of the ASA family since 2009.I am also a USA Swimming Certified Coach, and I have my Level 2 ASCA (American Swim Coaches Association) Coaching certification. I have continued to be very involved in the Atlanta water polo community since the start of my coaching career in 2006, but I am eager to get back to my swimming roots and share my love of the water and sports, in general, with a new generation of swimmers.	Preston Paris Swim Instructor/Coach/Lifeguard preston@atlantaswimacademy.com Read Short Bio > I was in the water and taking lessons before I could walk; by the age of 5 I was already swimming competitively on a summer league swim team in my neighborhood, and I didn’t stop until I was 18. I also swam for a year-round swim team for 4 years and for Wheeler High School’s swim team for 3 years. I coached my neighborhood summer league swim team for 10 years starting at the age of 14, first as an assistant coach for 6 years and then as the head coach for 4 years. This past summer was my final year coaching for that team, but the experience left me with a desire to explore other teaching and coaching opportunities. In 2010, I achieved my WSI certification right here at ASA, and I've been a member of the ASA family ever since! I obtained my lifeguarding and CPR/AED certifications in 2009, but it was through coaching that I was able to discover what I wanted to do with my life. Teaching runs in my family, and I’ve learned that nothing beats the sense of pride you get from seeing a student achieve their goals. This was the driving force behind my decision to pursue a degree in Education, which I am still in the process of obtaining at Kennesaw State University. I am a USA Swimming Certified Head Coach and hold a Level 2 coaching certification from the ASCA (American Swim Coaches Association).

Sarah Rinehart Lamb Swim Instructor/Water Aerobics Instructor/Lifeguard sarah@atlantaswimacademy.com Read Short Bio > I have been swimming since I was 3 years old, and I have always been very comfortable in the water. I coached the Smyrna Sharks swim team for 7 years and kept busy as captain of my high school swim team, earning 2 varsity letters and achieving high honors at 2 state championships. I am a USA Swimming Certified Coach and ASCA (American Swim Coaches Association) Level 2 Coaching certified. I have been teaching at ASA since 2004 after obtaining my WSI certification in 2003. I have also been lifeguard and CPR/AED certified since 2000. I am also in the process of obtaining my Water Safety Instructor Trainer certification through the American Red Cross. More recenlty I obtained my (AEA) Aquatic Exercise Association certification in 2011. My hobbies include reading, writing journals, drawing, aerobic exercise and, of course, swimming laps.	Teresa Leiva Swim Administrator teresa@atlantaswimacademy.com Read Short Bio > I’m originally from a small town in South Georgia. I moved to Acworth back in 2003 and have been here ever since. No plans to return to the laid back country life any time soon. I have a beautiful little girl who is the center of my world and my main focus in life. I have worked in the retail and hospitality industry for over ten years now. I also have a background in the medical industry as I worked in the E.R. Department for a local hospital for about a year. That past experience is what led me to the administrative position here at ASA. I have a passion for meeting new people and always enjoy a good laugh with friends and smiling faces. So stop by and let’s share a smile together!

Tiffany Aubrey Swim Instructor/Lifeguard tiffany@atlantaswimacademy.com Read Short Bio > I have been swimming since I was 5 years old. I have swam competitively with the Indian Hills summer swim team in the past. I completed my WSI certification in June 2010 and my lifeguard and CPR/AED certification in 2011. I am passionate about helping kids and adults improve their swimming skills and encourage swimmers to build confidence in the water. In my spare time, I enjoy scuba diving and doing triathlons. I have competed in over 25 triathlons, including the 2007 Ironman at Lake Placid.	Will Mast Lifeguard Read Short Bio > I started swimming at the age of 5 years old. At the age of 6, I joined swim team. I began swimming competitively at Atlanta Swim Academy in 2008 and still train on the swim team and Masters swim program. I also swim for Walton High School’s Varsity swim team and have loved every minute of being apart of this team. After completing the lifeguard training course at the Atlanta Swim Academy, I began lifeguarding for birthday parties. In 2011, I achieved my WSI certification right here at ASA. I feel very lucky to have an opportunity to a work at a facility that shares the same passion and love for swimming that I do.

William Swetizer Lifeguard Read Short Bio > I have been around the water ever since I learned to swim at the age of 2. I swam for my neighborhood swim team for several years and am currently swimming for ASA’s swim team on the senior level. Similar to my older brother Coach Owen, I am a big fan of water polo. I play summer league water polo, as well as year round water polo for Wheeler High School. In my spare time, I enjoy hanging out with friends. I am very excited to be lifeguarding for ASA!