Owen Long
Co-Founder and President of Operations of Sertified., LLC
Owen, a recent graduate of McDaniel College and resident of Queen Anne’s County, Maryland, has been serving as a Lifeguard in many different settings (pool, oceanfront, waterfront, waterpark, etc.) since age 15, and has been teaching for the American Red Cross since December of 2015. After years of watching people get pushed through certification classes, Owen decided that it was time to get involved and start a company where people could get high quality, American Red Cross training and be proud of their certification — hence the inception of Sertified., LLC! Currently, Owen is only further developing his impressive certification resume, as he in pursuit of his Maryland EMT, Paramedic, and EMS Instructor certifications at Chesapeake Community College. Owen currently possesses the following American Red Cross certifications: Emergency Medical Response Instructor Trainer, Lifeguarding Instructor Trainer, Basic Life Support Instructor Trainer, CPR/FA/AED Instructor Trainer, Wilderness and Remote First Aid/CPR Instructor Trainer, Comprehensive First Aid and CPR and CPR for the Professional Rescuer Instructor Trainer, Water Safety Instructor, Babysitting Instructor, Bloodborne Pathogens and Emergency Oxygen Instructor, Swim Coach Safety Training Instructor, Aquatic Attractions Safety Course Instructor, Waterpark, and Waterfront Lifeguarding Instructor, and Lifeguard Management Instructor. Although it is rare, when Owen is not teaching one of these many different classes, he enjoys swimming, serving as a first responder, and spending time with his family, friends, and Golden Retriever, Bandit and Basset Hound/Black Lab, Lola! Owen’s extensive teaching experience is nothing less than impressive, and his well-established rapport with the American Red Cross speaks for itself. He looks forward to working with you, and is ready for you to be #Sertified.
Justin Arter
Co-Founder and President of Human Resources of Sertified., LLC
Justin is an undergraduate at McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland pursing a Bachelor’s of Art’s in Economics with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. Justin was first certified as a lifeguard at age 15, and has since lifeguarded at pools across Maryland. After discovering his passion for first response, Justin pursued his lifeguard instructor certification in December 2016. Additionally, Justin is a Certified Pool Operator, Certified Water Safety Instructor, CPR, AED and First Aid Instructor, Bloodborne Pathogens and Emergency Oxygen Instructor, Comprehensive First Aid and CPR and CPR for the Professional Rescuer Instructor. Most recently, Justin has received his Instructor Trainer certification in Lifeguarding, CPR, First Aid, AED, and Basic Life Support. Justin enjoys playing tennis, spending time with friends, and tutoring high school students in SAT prep materials. You will not be let down by Justin’s extensive knowledge of the first response curriculums and his miraculous teaching abilities! He is excited to help you get #Sertifed., and looks forward to seeing you in his classes!
Kathy Long
Sertified. Registration Coordinator
Kathy has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Bloomsburg University. She has also earned a Master’s of Science degree in Counseling from Western Maryland College (McDaniel College). Kathy is currently a 4th grade teacher in the Conewago Valley School District, in New Oxford, Pennsylvania, and has been teaching for 28 years. She is married to her husband, Chris and has three children – Owen, Kaelyn and Brayden. Kathy very much enjoys spending time with her family (and Golden Retriever, Bandit), running, landscaping and doing Pinterest crafts. She looks forward to coordinating your registration with Sertified. LLC, to help you: “Be Safe, Be Smart, Be Sertified.!”
Emma Perdue
Sertified. Instructor
Emma Perdue is currently a graduate student studying Physician Assistant Studies at High Point University in North Carolina. Emma has been a certified lifeguard for 4 years and has been teaching lifeguarding for just over 2 years. In addition to her lifeguarding experience, she is also a Certified Pool Operator and Certified CPR Instructor. Emma has written the swim lesson instructor curriculum, used by Sertified., LLC, while also teaching swim lesson instructors how to best implement the curriculum for highest quality swim instruction. Emma enjoys swimming, as well as coaching, and is excited to return to aquatics after pursuing a career in medicine.
Austin Newby
Sertified. Instructor
Austin is currently studying Environmental Science at McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. In addition to his role at Sertified., LLC and being a full-time student, he is a member of the Army ROTC program at the College. Austin has previously worked as a lifeguard for Lighthouse Pools Inc., in Cecil County, Maryland, and is now a lead lifeguard for the Department of the Army at Aberdeen Proving Ground! As a Sertified., LLC instructor, Austin heads coordination of aquatic certification classes, while simultaneously striving to further his range of instructor certifications. As it currently stands, he is certified as a lifeguard, lifeguard instructor, and CPR/First Aid/AED instructor. When you have Austin in class, please thank him for his service, as he is now entering the Maryland National Guard!
Alison Smith
Sertified. Instructor
Alison has earned a Bachelor’s of Art’s degree in Psychology from East Stroudsburg University and a Nursing degree from Frederick Community College. Alison previously worked as a Veterinary Technician, but since moving to Ocean City, Maryland, she has pursued ocean lifeguarding. She is currently Assistant Beach Manger and officer on the Beach Patrol at Assateague State Park, in Berlin, Maryland, during the summers and a lifeguard and lifeguard instructor at Ocean Pines Sports Core Pool for the winter months. In addition to being a certified lifeguard she has recently completed her Lifeguard Instructor certification. Alison is also a Certified Emergency Medical Responder, Certified Lifeguard Manager, and CPR, AED and First Aid Instructor. Alison enjoys swimming, spending time with her family and caring for her many pets! She looks forward to helping you get #Sertified.!
Jennifer Kitzmiller
Sertified. Instructor
Jennifer is American Red Cross Instructor for Sertified., LLC. She graduated from Penn State University, and is a school-based occupational therapist. Jennifer has spent her entire life around the water, and plans to continue to do so! She was taught to swim at an early age because of her proximity to the Conewago Creek, just outside of York, Pennsylvania. Her daughter, Morgan, naturally learned to swim at an early age, as well, due to her mom’s lifelong career in aquatics!Jennifer has been a lifeguard for over 25 years and a Lifeguard Instructor since 2015. She looks forward to sharing her 25 years of lifeguarding experience with you in a #Sertified. class!
Jeremy Simon
Sertified. Instructor and Head Lifeguard
Jeremy Simon is the Sertified. Head Lifeguard and a CPR and BLS Instructor. He is also a certified pool operator. Jeremy is a career lifeguard on the eastern shore of Maryland. He has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from McDaniel College and was a collegiate swimmer as well! He is excited to help you #getSertified.!
Nichole Batiz
Sertified. Instructor
Meet Nichole! She has three loving children. Nichole has been coaching swimming and teaching lifeguarding since 2005, when she started at the Hanover YMCA, in Hanover, Pennsylvania! As someone who has been around the water since she was 18months old, she knew that this was her calling! Nichole’s passion for teaching is evident, as she has certified hundreds of guards in her time! After a few years of lifeguarding, Nichole returned to graduate school and obtained her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. Upon entering the full-time workforce, in 2011, she began working with children with disabilities as a behavior specialist. Nichole is excited to return to the world of #sertifications, and looks forward to seeing you in her classes!
Christopher Long
Sertified. Instructor
Chris has earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from West Chester University in Health and Physical Education. Additionally, he has also earned a Master’s Degree in Athletic Administration from Western Maryland College (McDaniel College). Chris is currently a Health and Physical Education teacher in the Conewago Valley School District. He has been teaching for over 27 years. Chris has been a certified CPR, AED, and First-Aid Instructor for the American Red Cross for 15 years. He is also a certified instructor for the American Heart Association in CPR, AED, and First-Aid. Chris enjoys spending time with his family and watching a variety of sporting events. Let’s get you #Sertified., in one of Chris’s classes!
Anthony Aguilar
Sertified. Instructor
Anthony is a student at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a focus on International Business. Anthony has been an American Red Cross lifeguard since he was a student at Easton High School; guarding both pools and waterfronts. In the summer months, Anthony is a member of the Beach Patrol at Assateague State Park, in Berlin, MD. Anthony is a certified American Red Cross waterfront lifeguard and lifeguard instructor and also holds a variety of scuba dive certifications. In his spare time, Anthony enjoys surfing, scuba diving, and doing CrossFit! Anthony looks forward to helping you #besertified. in a variety of American Red Cross classes.
Darlene Union
Sertified. Instructor
Like Owen and Justin, Darlene is also a small business owner! Darlene is a co-owner of Superfood Café & Market in Mount Airy, MD. In addition to being a Sertified., LLC Instructor, she is a Raw Food Chef. She studied Nutrition at Baltimore County Community College in Catonsville, MD and trained at the Graff Academy of Raw Food Education and Health Science. Darlene has previously worked in sales, death care industry, and home improvement and is very excited to begin her instructing career! Currently, she is married to Robert, has four amazing daughters, and two adorable grandchildren. In her spare time, Darlene enjoys preparing and creating Raw vegan recipes. Sign up for her classes now, so she can help you become #Sertified. in CPR and/or BLS!
Chloe Goddard
Sertified. Instructor
Chloe is a dual-enrolled high school junior at Snow Hill High School and Wor-Wic Community College. For as long as she can remember, she has always loved the water. Chloe began her career in aquatics as a volunteer swim lesson instructor aid, before she was old enough to work as an Instructor. When she turned 15, she earned her lifeguard certification and has worked for the Maryland State Parks Service, as a pool lifeguard, for the past three summers. In the coming years, Chloe plans on becoming a member of the Assateague State Park Beach Patrol. Chloe is now a certified American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor and plans to continue her education so that she can certify others in CPR, First-Aid, and AED, as well. Chloe is working towards becoming a nationally registered EMT for her fire station in Snow Hill, MD. In addition to being a Sertified. Instructor, Chloe is a recipient of the American Red Cross Lifesaving Award, the most highly esteemed recognition that American Red Cross presents. As an instructor, Chloe is passionate about giving more people the opportunity to also be #Sertified. in an area that they too can be passionate about!
Ann Kress
Sertified. Instructor
Ann, a long-time American Red Cross Lifeguard and Lifeguard Instructor, is currently employed by UPMC Pinnacle Hanover and the Hanover YMCA. In addition to her American Red Cross certifications, Ann is a certified Aquatic Instructor, a certified Aquatic Therapy and Rehabilitation Specialist, and a Pre- and Post- Natal Yoga Instructor. Ann joins the Sertified. team with many years of instruction experience and will be teaching in the greater York, and Hanover, Pennsylvania area! In her free time, Ann enjoys spending time with her husband and her two children! Come learn how you can #BeSertified. with Ann!
Ken Mihalyov
Sertified. Instructor
Ken Mihalyov is currently a 6thgrade science teacher in Westminster, MD and resides in York, PA. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Central Florida and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from McDaniel College. Ken first became a lifeguard and swim instructor at age 15, and he remained certified until circumstances led him to away from his local pool. Ken is now married with three water-loving sons. He loves hiking, all team sports, swimming, kayaking, skiing, seeing the world, and playing the ukulele while relaxing in a hammock. Recently, Ken took a Sertified. Lifeguarding course, hoping to land a summer job lifeguarding, and it awoke his passion for aquatic instruction, again. He received his lifeguard instructor certification (with Owen as his instructor trainer) in March and looks forward to helping train future lifeguards to be proactive and keep local pools #Sertified.!
Nick Budzynski
Sertified. Instructor
Nick is currently an aeronautical science student at Averett University in Danville, Virginia. Nick is working towards accomplishing his lifelong dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot. In addition to being a lifeguard, Nick also loves to go to the beach and go on as many adventures as possible! Nick has been lifeguarding since 2015, and became an Assistant Manager at the Westminster Riding Club Pool in 2017. Most recently, Nick has accepted a lifeguarding job at the Danville YMCA, just so he can keep up his skills in the off season. After years of Owen begging him to come on-board as an instructor, Nick is looking forward to seeing you all in class. He will surely help you #getsertified!
Adelaide Fischer
Sertified. Instructor
Adelaide Fischer is a graduate of McDaniel College with a BA in Cinema. She has a love for the water and has been guarding rivers and pools since 2016 throughout Virginia and Maryland. In addition to life guarding, she is also certified as a Pool Operator and, most recently, a Lifeguard Instructor! When not around the water, Adelaide enjoys watching movies, rock climbing and playing with her dog. You will not be disappointed with her experience around the water! She is excited to see you in a #sertified. class!
Christine Gordon
Sertified. Instructor
Christine is an undergraduate student at Shippensburg University studying Psychology. She is currently a lead teacher for a before and after school program for K-5 students. She first became a lifeguard when she was 15, and now is using her lifeguard certification for a summer camp as their personal lifeguard! She found her passion for lifeguarding again, and that has lead her to become a Sertified. Lifeguard Instructor. She has always enjoyed being in and around water and loves to share that joy with others. She is enthusiastic about teaching upcoming lifeguard candidates and is looking forward to becoming more #Sertified. throughout the upcoming years.