Meet The Sertified. Leadership Team

Instructors

Kathy Long

Registration Coordinator

Kathy has earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Elementary Education from Bloomsburg University and a Master’s of Science Degree in Guidance Counseling from Western Maryland College (McDaniel College). Kathy currently works for the Conewago Valley School District as a 4th grade teacher. This is her 30th year of teaching! She loves to run, bike and be active with husband and children. She looks forward to registering you for your classes, so you can #StaySertified.!

Hayley Lynch

Sertified. Instructor

Nick Budzynski

Head Sertified. Lifeguarding Instructor

Nick is currently an Aeronautical Science student at Averett University, in Danville, Virginia. Nick is working towards accomplishing his life-long 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 humanly possible! Nick has been lifeguarding since 2015, and became an Assistant Manager at the Westminster Riding Club Pool, in Westminster, MD, in 2017. Most recently, Nick has accepted a lifeguarding job at the Danville YMCA, in Danville, VA, 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 finally decided to do so, and now loves helping lifeguards.

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 18-months 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!

Darlene Union

Sertified. Instructor

Like Owen, 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 three 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

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!

Ann Kress

Sertified. Instructor

Ann, a long-time American Red Cross Lifeguard and Lifeguarding Instructor, is currently employed by Homewood at Plum Creek, as their Wellness Center Director. 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. As if Ann’s certification resume was not impressive enough, she also holds a Master’s of Education degree in Sport and Recreation Administration from Temple University. 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 #StaySertified. with Ann!

Jeremy Simon

Sertified. Instructor and Head Lifeguard

Jeremy Simon is the Sertified., LLC Head Lifeguard, as well as a land-based Sertified. Instructor. In addition to being a certified lifeguard, Jeremy is also a certified Maryland pool operator, waterfront lifeguard, and lifeguard Manager. Jeremy is a career lifeguard in Cambridge, Maryland, as he works full-time at The Robbins Family YMCA. He has earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from McDaniel College and was a collegiate swimmer for four years, as well! He is excited to help you #StaySertifed., as he watches over in-class water sessions!

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!

Jacob Kuney

Sertified. Instructor

Jacob is currently a sophomore at the University of Maryland College Park (UMD), majoring in Mathematics-Statistics. At UMD, Jacob is a proud member of the Club Swim Team. Jacob begun his aquatics career in 2016 when he first became certified as an American Red Cross Lifeguard, and he has served as a lifeguard every summer since then. In 2019, Jacob also obtained his Pool Operator certification. In December of 2020, Jacob took his lifeguarding recertification with Sertified., LLC, and he decided that he wanted to become a member of the Instructor Team. Jacob loved how Sertified. managed their classes, so he decided to take his Lifeguarding Instructor course! In February of 2021, Jacob received his LGI certification and is now excited to help you #StaySertified. in American Red Cross Lifeguarding!

Zack Callis

Sertified. Instructor

Zack is a recent graduate of McDaniel College, who has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Zack has been a lifeguard since the summer of 2015 and a pool manager since the summer of 2017. He now works in a year-round position with Georgetown Aquatics as an Aquatic Supervisor. Zack has a long history in aquatics, as prior to his lifeguarding and instruction days, he was a competitive swimmer for more than thirteen years. In addition to his time on the swim and dive team, he has been a swim coach for two years and also established the current swim lesson curriculum at his pool. Zack currently possesses First Aid/CPR/AED and Lifeguarding certifications, a Lifeguarding Instructor certification and his Maryland pool operator’s license. He looks forward to seeing you in one of his classes, so he can help you #StaySertified.!

Hannah McMillen

Sertified. Instructor

She is currently a sophomore studying Forensic Chemistry, with a minor in Criminology at West Virginia University. At WVU, she is a Resident Assistant, the current secretary of the club swim team, and a part of various other organizations on campus. She started lifeguarding because she has been a swimmer all my life, so it was the perfect job for me. She was certified at 15, and works for a company known as SoMD Pool Management. In addition to receiving her lifeguard certification, she a certified Pool Operator, Water Safety Instructor, and Lifeguard Instructor. She is passionate about teaching, and providing the best possible training! She is ready to help you get #Sertified.!

Joe DeMario

Sertified. Instructor

Joe is a recent graduate from Manchester Valley High School who is currently pursuing a bachelors degree in computer science at Drexel University. Joe has been drawn to the water his entire life. He spent the majority of his childhood summers on the swim team. For the past few summers he has been a Manager at the Lineboro- Manchester Community pool. Joe is a certified American Red Cross Lifeguard and Lifeguarding Instructor and he is looking forward to help you #StaySertified.!

Dave Hardy

Sertified. Instructor

Dave was born and raised in the Washington, DC area where he was a lifelong swimmer. Dave started swimming at a very young age and continued all the way through being a 4-year letter winner at the University of Delaware. Dave graduated from UD in 2004 with a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. He has been in aquatic management and worked as a swim coach for over 20 years and looks forward to bringing his management and teaching abilities to the Sertified team. Dave is the General Manager of the Darnestown Swim and Racquet Club in Germantown, MD, where he has been since 2004. Dave is a certified Lifeguard and Lifeguarding Instructor and will be teaching Lifeguarding courses for Sertified. Dave lives in Baltimore City with his wife, Linn, and two daughters (Lucy (6) and Willa (4)) and, of course, their dog, Bobby. Dave enjoys being outside — whether riding his bike, hiking or just enjoying nature. Dave is sure to help you stay safe, stay smart, and #StaySertified.

Alison Smith

Sertified. Instructor

Brooke Bartko

Sertified. Instructor

Adam Bendinsky

Sertified. Instructor

Savannah Black

Sertified. Instructor

Ashley David

Sertified. Instructor

Adam Kristick

Sertified. Instructor

Amira Washington

Sertified. Instructor

Kerrigan McMillen

Sertified. Instructor

Harrison Curnutte

Sertified. Instructor

Tayler Thorne

Sertified. Instructor

Luke Myers

Sertified. Instructor

Houston Howell

Sertified. Instructor

Jeremy Mortorff

Sertified. Instructor

Brian Bonn

Sertified. Instructor

Riley Moyer

Sertified. Instructor

Blair Crosscup

Sertified. Instructor

Cassie Catterton

Sertified. Instructor

Mark Rivera

Sertified. Instructor

Mark was born and raised in downtown Frederick, Maryland. Mark has been swimming since a young age and began swimming competitively while in high school. Mark started his career in aquatics as a lifeguard at 15 years old at the Frederick County YMCA. After high school, Mark enlisted in the United States Navy and served on the aircraft carrier, Ronald Reagan, with Strike Fighter Squadron 86. Once his service was completed, Mark returned to aquatics and earned his Aquatics Facility Operator, Pool Operator, Water Safety Instructor and Lifeguarding Instructor certifications. Mark has been managing the operations of aquatics facilities for a total of 10 years. Mark now lives in the mountains of Maryland with his spouse (also Mark), his cat (Huxley), and his Husky (Lance). In his spare time, Mark enjoys traveling to new places, cooking homemade meals, and doing DIY projects. Come #StaySertified. in one of Mark’s upcoming Lifeguarding classes!

Jacob Robinson

Sertified. Instructor

Ty Horner

Sertified. Instructor

Misti Wildasin

Sertified. Instructor

Julie Spera

Sertified. Instructor

Olivia Magaletta

Sertified. Instructor

Delaney Smith

Sertified. Instructor