Leadership

John Abdou

John Abdou has served as the Executive Director of the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches since 2015, overseeing the growth and development of the organization. He also serves on the FINA Development Sub-Committee, which supports the growth and development of water polo globally. Over the last eight years, he has been the event chairman of international events across the country and globe. 

He is an experienced coach, leading UC Santa Barbara as the Associate Head Men's Coach (2011-2013), and at Bucknell (2005-210), coaching both the men's and women's programs.

Abdou comes home to UCI, earning degrees in sociology, psychology, and education in 2001 while competing in water polo for the Anteaters. He went on to add a master's degree in higher education from Bucknell University in 2012 as well as a certificate in Olympic Nonprofit Leadership at the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management in 2019.

Megan Ferraro

Megan Ferraro is the Executive Director of The ZAC Foundation, where she oversees programs, directs philanthropic partnerships, and represents the nonprofit as a subject matter expert in aquatic sector initiatives, and at industry events, with both legislators and the media throughout the country, which is supported by her background in strategic communications and public relations. Megan is also a Steering Committee member of the National Water Safety Action Plan, Advisory Council member of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance Advisory Board, and founding member and Steering Committee member of Families United to Prevent Drowning.

Lydie Gutfeld

Lydie Gutfeld has been in the parks and recreation profession for over 30 years and has worked to develop policy and efficiency for staff models in aquatic centers and beyond.  She brings a fresh approach to innovative practices in training and recruiting aquatic staff and works to advocate for public pool lifeguards, pool managers and water safety instructors.  Lydie is a past President for the California Park and Recreation Society(CPRS)State Board and the incoming President for the Aquatics Section of CPRS.  Currently she is the Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services for the City of San Bernardino where her aquatic subject matter expertise helps to provide support to six public pools and collaborations with the school district and numerous community partners.  She is a founding member of the Inland Empire Drowning task force and an advocate for drowning prevention.  This is her first year serving as a board member of the CWSC.

William Koon

William Koon is a drowning prevention researcher and advocate from Huntington Beach. William started as an ocean lifeguard with California State Parks, completed his Masters in Public Health focused on drowning prevention at the University of Washington, and is currently working on a doctorate at the University of New South Wales in Sydney Australia. William is a co-founder and the current vice-chair of the California Water Safety Coalition, co-founder of the UNSW Beach Safety Research Group, and member of the International Drowning Researchers’ Alliance. 

Kris Lev-Twombly

Kris Lev-Twombly is the President and Chief Executive Officer for the California State Alliance of YMCAs, the hub for advocacy, collaboration, statewide partnerships, professional networking, and technical assistance for the 29 YMCAs in California. Kris brings over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, with expertise in government relations, public affairs, coalition management, fundraising, organizational development, and board governance. His career spans program and policy achievements in public safety, public health, education, insurance, the environment, and the economy. Kris has served on the CWSC Advisory Council since 2002. An avid outdoors and physical activity enthusiast, Kris has a passion for water safety and promoting the equitable and safe enjoyment of water recreation for all Californians.

 "I am so grateful to join the governing board of a lifesaving coalition at such an important time for the growth of the organization and the implementation of the California Water Safety Strategy."

Julie Lopiccolo

Julie Lopiccolo, Esq. is the Secretary of the California Water Safety Coalition. She is also Co-Founder and President of The Jasper Ray Foundation for Drowning Prevention and Child Safety located in Orange County, California. Julie and her husband Jonathan formed the 501(c)3 Public Charity after the loss of their 21-month-old son Jasper, who drowned when his babysitter took him to a neighboring home with an unfenced pool and lost sight of him for only moments.

Julie worked with water safety experts across the nation on the first US National Water Safety Action Plan as Co-Chair of the Barriers, Entrapment and Electrical Safety Working Group. 

Mark M. Simonian, MD

Mark M. Simonian, MD, FAAP brings 45 years of research and advocacy in injury prevention. As a general pediatrician, Dr. Simonian concentrated on a Fresno County agenda pertaining to water safety and drowning prevention. Dr. Simonian is trained, and Board certified in Pediatrics. He is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and has special interest in areas of injury prevention and health information technology.