Great Lakes
Water Safety Conference 2026

HOST
Pam Ford, MAEd, CPST-I is the Safe Kids Greater South Haven coordinator, where she has spent seven years working to reduce unintentional injuries in children. A former public educator, Pam brings 17 years of classroom experience to her mission of teaching children, caregivers, and communities how to stay safe at home, at play, and on the way. She co-chairs the GLWSC Education and Training Committee, chairs her county's Child Death Review Team, and co-chairs the Southwest/South Central Traffic Safety Network.

KEYNOTE
Adam is the Police Chief of the South Haven Police Dept (21.5 year member). Adam swam for Grand Valley State University and took his love of the water with him to SHPD. He attended swift water rescue at the Indiana River Rescue School in South Bend Indiana, International Surf Lifesaving Association (ISLA) training in Holland MI, and the California State Parks Surf Lifeguard training in Huntington Beach CA during his career at SHPD. He is an associate member of the CA Surf Lifesaving Association(CSLA) as well as a member of United Surf Lifesaving Association (USLA). 

KEYNOTE
Tim Wheeler is the creator of Cartoonversation™ – award-winning, evidence-based, trauma-informed cartoons, comic books, card games, video games, and interactive read-along books designed to help kids laugh and talk about life’s most difficult challenges. His books and cartoons have won over two dozen national and international awards, as well as the Outstanding Traffic Safety Achievement Award from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Commission. He holds degrees from Western Michigan University, Northwestern University, and Villanova University.

SPEAKER
In 2010, Dave Benjamin survived a drowning incident while winter surfing in Lake Michigan. Driven by this incident, Dave dedicated his life to water safety and co-founded the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP). The GLSRP’s mission is to eradicate drownings by being the leader of Great Lakes water safety by providing training, public preparedness, and public awareness, and its vision is that everyone in the Great Lakes region, nationwide and worldwide, is knowledgeable, engaged and proactive in water safety with an emphasis on the Great Lakes region.

SPEAKER
Mary Ann Best founded Blue Flow Great Lakes which provides free beach clinics with a goal to encourage a culture of being in and on the water safely through water safety education and building skills.  She spent her childhood at the beach playing and continues to enjoy water sports year-round. With a desire to share her enthusiasm, she champions safe, joyful access to water for all and celebrates the power of community to make it possible. 

SPEAKER
Ali Bianco is an Injury Epidemiologist at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. She holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from Purdue University. For the past four years she has conducted surveillance and epidemiologic analyses of both fatal and nonfatal injuries and assisted on a number of injury prevention efforts at the state level.

SPEAKER
Connor Brooks is a data technician with the Great Lakes Observing System since fall 2025. His work tracks the observing network's platforms, monitors incoming data from around the region, and connects with data partners to establish new stations. He holds a BSc in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and previously worked at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute on water level monitoring and coastal flooding preparedness.

SPEAKER
Lynn Clarke is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional. She has dedicated her professional career to enhancing lives for people of all abilities through recreation. What she is most proud of in her career is her work with SWIM Central and the life changing life saving impact the program has had on hundreds of individuals and families. 

SPEAKER
Megan Dodson has worked with the Great Lakes Water Safety Consortium since 2016 in several roles, such as the Data & Metrics Committee co-lead. The committee is working to create a comprehensive database for drowning incidents. The collaborative project combines databases and other sources to gain a big picture of the "drowning problem" on the Great Lakes. Ms. Dodson has been involved in water safety efforts since 2010 when she worked as a weather/marine forecaster.

SPEAKER
Bob Dukesherer is a 33-year veteran of the National Weather Service, serving as Senior Forecaster and Marine Program Manager at the Grand Rapids office. He issues forecasts and warnings for 23 counties of Southwest Lower Michigan and a large portion of Lake Michigan, and works closely with the Michigan DNR, U.S. Coast Guard, and other marine safety entities. Bob has played a prominent role in the rip current and beach hazards effort for the past 25 years. He holds a BS in Meteorology from Central Michigan University.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Captain D. Andrew Ferguson is Executive Director of the Great Lakes Water Safety Consortium and founder of Argonaut, a nonprofit that builds talent in aerospace and maritime fields through immersive learning experiences. One of Argonaut's signature programs is PHASTAR Marine Safety, a USLA Lifeguard Agency providing safety and rescue through the Port of Cleveland. Drew brings a unique blend of operational leadership and mission-driven program design to Great Lakes water safety.

SPEAKER
Greg Field is the Technical Advisor for the CDC Foundation's Basic Swimming and Water Safety Project and the President of The ARC Project, a surf and water safety camp for children and youth in both Michigan and Florida. Greg completed his Doctorate at Michigan State University with a research concentration in water safety education and drowning prevention and helped write the U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan.  He is currently helping to lead the Michigan Drowning Prevention Alliance and was a former firefighter, medical first responder, and certified surf-rescue lifeguard.

SPEAKER
David Figueredo is the Chief Lifeguard for the City of South Haven, where he led the reinstatement of the city's Beach Lifeguard Program after more than 25 years without guarded waterfronts. A former lifeguard and lakefront supervisor in Evanston, Illinois, David also brings corporate communications experience from Golub Capital. He now integrates municipal leadership, corporate strategy, and years of lakefront expertise to advance water safety across the Great Lakes.

SPEAKER
Amy Gruber is a South Haven native who has spent decades in aquatic education, coaching age group, high school varsity, and masters swim teams. She is the Community Swim Director for South Haven Public Schools, where she has led swim lessons and water safety education for second- through fifth-graders since 2008. Amy also operates Swim Lady Coach, teaching survival swim lessons, and has trained South Haven's city lifeguards in their baseline American Red Cross certifications.

SPEAKER
Dr. Chris Houser is a coastal geomorphologist and Professor at the University of Waterloo whose research focuses on beach safety, rip currents, coastal hazards, and human-environment interactions. His work combines field observations, numerical modeling, remote sensing, and artificial intelligence to understand and predict drowning risk. Through collaborations with governments, lifeguard organizations, and coastal communities, he develops science-based tools and strategies to improve hazard forecasting, risk communication, and public safety at beaches.

SPEAKER
Maddi Johnson has been a meteorologist with the National Weather Service (NWS) Northern Indiana office since 2021. Over the past five years, she has helped conduct extensive research on drownings and rescues on the Great Lakes. Maddi is passionate about improving understanding of how hazardous wave and weather conditions – especially currents – play a role in maritime incidents.

SPEAKER
Phil recently completed 21 seasons with the City of Racine Lifeguards. The last 5 managing the program as a Recreational Specialist for the City of Racine Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department. Between seasons he is a Technology Education Teacher and Department Chair at Wauwatosa West High School in Wisconsin. Phil has a BA in History and Geography from UW-Platteville, and a BS and M.Ed. in Technology Education from Valley City State University.

SPEAKER
Nathan MacIntyre is a Canadian water safety advocate, healthcare provider, maritime professional, and founder of the Rip Current Information Project. His commitment to water safety began in 1998 after losing a friend to drowning on a Great Lakes beach. He spent  18 years lifeguarding that same shoreline, helping transform the local beach patrol into a professional Beach Rescue Service. Nathan advocates fortifying Great Lakes beaches with evidence-based approaches to dangerous currents, drowning prevention, beach safety, and risk communication. 

SPEAKER
Sean is the Field Chief of Special Operations for the Evanston Fire Department, managing our lakefront operations, 150 seasonal lifeguards, a 40-member Surface Water Rescue team, and 20 NASBALA-certified boat operators. With over 20 years of emergency response experience, he oversees their multi-agency marine fleet, including a joint-agency Fire Boat, 2 Boston Whaler search-and-rescue vessels, and 2 personal rescue watercraft. He serves as EFD’s and the Divisional Technical Rescue Training Director and officer.  He is currently pursuing a PhD at Oklahoma State University. 

SPEAKER
Briar McCaw is the founder and chair of the Elgin County Drowning Prevention Coalition, where she leads collaborative initiatives bringing together municipalities, emergency services, and aquatic professionals to improve water safety across Elgin County, Ontario. She holds a Master of Public Health from Brock University and serves as Research Chair for the Ontario Lifesaving Society's Public Education Council. A beach rescue lifeguard on Lake Erie, Briar is passionate about translating evidence into practical, locally responsive action.

SPEAKER
Dan Metcalfe has served in public safety for over 30 years, including 25 years as a paramedic. He volunteered with the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary for 11 years on the western basin of Lake Erie and is a lead coordinator for the Windsor-Essex County Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Coalition. Dan is an IMS/ICS Instructor for Emergency Measures Ontario and has led the Border Sentinel search-and-rescue exercise on the Detroit River since 2015. He is a champion of cross-border first responder interoperability.

SPEAKER
Rhonda Nordstrom is the Community Education Manager for Milwaukee Water Commons, a cross-city network fostering connection, collaboration, and community leadership on behalf of shared waters. In 2020, after four drownings off local beaches, she helped create and launch the Beach Ambassador Project to build safer and more equitable access to Milwaukee's beaches. She has been growing the project's reach and impact ever since. A lifelong lover of water, Rhonda lives on Lake Michigan's shore in Milwaukee.

SPEAKER
Dr. Deidre Peroff is Wisconsin Sea Grant's social scientist, based at UW-Milwaukee's School of Freshwater Sciences. She uses social science methods to improve access to water resources, facilitate place-based education, and support the well-being and resiliency of Great Lakes coastal communities. She holds a PhD in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management from NC State University, an MS in Geography from Western Washington University, and a BS in Geography from UW-Madison.

SPEAKER
Trevor Pinkala has spent 30+ years in water rescue, public safety, and emergency response. He started as a lifeguard at 14, entered the fire service in 2000, and joined the Milwaukee Fire Department in 2013, serving on its Dive Rescue Team since 2014. He is a PADI, Public Safety Diver, and Mark V (Recreational Standard Dress) instructor, sits on the Midwest Public Safety Diving Association board, and helped found Water Safe MKE.

SPEAKER
Bob Pratt is co-founder of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. A lifelong water safety advocate and a retired Paramedic/Firefighter. He’s attended and presented at National, and International conferences, including presenting in Australia. He’s won numerous awards including the National Drowning Prevention Alliance “Lifesaver of the Year”. Pratt has received “Lifetime Achievement Awards” from “Lifesaver Pool Fence” and the “NDPA”. Bob lives in Haslett Michigan with his wife Cynthia, and their dog “Paco”.

FOUNDER
Jamie Racklyeft was the lucky one, saved at the last second from a Lake Michigan rip current by two brave strangers. He founded the Great Lakes Water Safety Consortium, getting people working together to help others avoid, escape, and safely save lives in dangerous waters. Communication Director at the University of Michigan, he brings 30+ years spanning healthcare, research, corporate, and nonprofit work. He later married on that same beach.

SPEAKER
Stephané Rebeck is a national expert in aquatic supervision and management, working in pool, non-pool, and surf environments over her 40-year career.  She founded Backyard Lifeguards in 2010, and BYLG Sport in 2012 to meet demand for event management and lifeguard services for open-water and multi-sport events. She is an American Red Cross Instructor Trainer in Lifeguarding, Water Safety, and BLS, and a USLA Surf Rescue Training Officer, while also serving as secretary of the USLA Great Lakes region.

SPEAKER
Scott Ruddle is a paramedic from London, Ontario, and a working lifeguard for over 40 years. He is a Great Lakes water safety expert involved in lifeguard training, research, and public education. Scott is an Aquatics Safety Auditor, Lifeguard Instructor/Examiner/Instructor Trainer, and a member of the National Lifeguard Advisory Committee for the Ontario branch of the Canadian Lifesaving Society. His passion is the freshwater surf of the Great Lakes, and he advocates for improved water safety and lifeguard services across the region.

SPEAKER
Caty, a Gaylord, MI native living in Florida, has been a nurse for 11 years. She was just 10 years old when her cousin Travis Brown drowned in a rip current on Lake Michigan. She has been involved with water safety efforts ever since, starting with the Mackinac Water Safety Review Team. She leads the awards and recognition committee for the Great Lakes Water Safety Consortium, and is a critical part of the conference planning committee.

SPEAKER
Jacob Soter is the Managing Director and cofounder of SwimSmart Technology, inventor of its automated beach warning and rescue systems. Based in Marquette, Michigan, he holds an Electrical and Computer Engineering degree and an MBA from Michigan Tech. A NOAA Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador and GLWSC Water Safety Superhero of the Year, he advances practical, tech-driven drowning prevention.

SPEAKER
Senator Mark Spencer represents Indiana Senate District 3, encompassing portions of Lake County including Gary, Lake Station, New Chicago, Hobart, Ainsworth, and Merrillville. He co-authored Senate Bill 123: Student Water Safety with Senator Ed Charbonneau, landmark legislation requiring Indiana public and charter schools to present approved water safety videos to students in kindergarten through grade 12. Senator Spencer is a leading voice for drowning prevention through education and policy in the Great Lakes region.

SPEAKER
State Rep. Donni Steele represents Michigan's 54th House District, including Bloomfield Hills, Orion Township, and portions of Auburn Hills, Bloomfield Township, and Oakland Township. Elected in 2022, she serves on the House Appropriations Committee and chairs the Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Local Transportation. A lifelong Oakland County resident and Lake Orion High School graduate, Rep. Steele brings more than two decades of small-business experience and a decade of local government service to her legislative work. She is a strong advocate for water safety policy in Michigan.

SPEAKER
Dylan Steigerwald is an epidemiologist with the CDC Foundation working in partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. He supports drowning prevention efforts across the state by improving how drowning data are collected, analyzed, and used to better inform public health action and prevention efforts.

SPEAKER
Douglas Wiebe, PhD is Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Michigan, with appointments in the Department of Epidemiology (School of Public Health) and the Department of Emergency Medicine (School of Medicine). He directs the CDC-funded U-M Injury Prevention Center. His research applies spatial and temporal epidemiological methods to identify injury prevention opportunities. His group has published on drowning prevention in Michigan and recently led a NIH grant application to build drowning prevention and water safety capacity across Michigan lakes and summer camps.

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