Bay Area Public Pool Operators Association
About the Bay Area Public Pool Operators Association
Over the years, the Bay Area Public Pool Operators Association (BAPPOA) has grown from a small group of pool operators meeting every other month to a much larger group that continues to meet on the original schedule. In January 2009, BAPPOA adopted by-laws and is on it’s way to becoming a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. BAPPOA continues to meet six times each year, and hosts social events, educational trainings and competitions. Monitoring changing legislation and guidelines, and conducting up to four surveys each year are other valuable services BAPPOA provides to it’s membership.
The Steering Committee was formed in the late 80’s to assist in guiding the operations of the Bay Area Public Pool Operators Association. With the formal organization of BAPPOA, the Steering Committee became a Board of Directors. There are 7 Board Members, all members of BAPPOA. Each Board Member currently serves a term of two years on the board and then rotates off. The nomination process allows for the election of three to four new members to the Board each year. Board Members may run for consecutive terms.
The Board of Directors meets a minimum of 4 times a year.
Meet Your 2023 Board Members
Vice President - Thomas Prusinovski
Hayward Area Recreation and Park District
prut@haywardrec.org
Responsible for: Lifeguard Games, BAPPOMA Chair, Elections, and bylaws.
Hello, BAPPOA members, My name is Tom Prusinovski and I am currently a Recreation Coordinator over the Aquatics Program at Hayward Area Recreation and Park District. I am honored to have been nominated and elected to be your next BAPPOA Vice President.
I started my career in aquatics as a lifeguard when I was 15 years old and have been working in aquatics ever since. I have a passion for training and hold certifications in Water Safety and Lifeguard Instructor Trainer, but equally enjoy stepping into a lifeguard rotation or teaching a swim lesson.
One of my favorite parts of BAPPOA is the lifeguard games. From 1997-2002 I participated in BAPPOA lifeguard games and have been involved with the games ever since either as a team coach or as an event judge. Looking back, without lifeguard games and the lifelong friends I`ve made through BAPPOA I probably would not have made the career decision to stay in the field of aquatics.
My goal as Vice President will be to get as many agencies as possible to join and regularly attend BAPPOA membership meetings. I would also promote and encourage participation in lifeguard games so the Lifeguards of today can have the same amazing or better experience I had. I also want to focus on encouraging all agencies with aquatic programs to become members and work together as we are stronger together.
Secretary & Treasurer - Chanise Harrison
City of Fairfield
charrison@fairfield.ca.gov
Responsible for: Membership, Registration Payment, Annual Budget
My name is Chanise Harrison, and I am the Aquatics Coordinator for the City of Fairfield.
I started my aquatics career as a Lifeguard and WSI 15 years ago with the City of Upland in Southern California. I moved to the Bay Area in 2008 to attend CSU East Bay, and graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Biology. While attending CSUEB, I was a Lifeguard and WSI with the City of Oakland and City of Emeryville working my way up to the position of Pool Manager. In more recent years, I have worked with the YMCA of the East Bay at the Downtown Berkeley YMCA as the Associate Aquatics Director, and Richmond Parkway YMCA as the Aquatics Director.
Outside of work, I like to spend time with my husband watching horror movies, going on hikes with my dog, Dexter, and spending time with family on the beach.
I am looking forward to serving the Bay Area Aquatics Industry and Community through BAPPOA.
Affiliations, Training, Staff Development and Legislative Liaison - Justin Pitcher
City of Berkeley
jpitcher@cityofberkeley.info
Responsible for: Updates from CPRS, Red Cross, and other affiliations as well as trainings and classes.
Web Master - Russell Meglio
City of Pleasanton
rmeglio@cityofpleasantonca.gov
Responsible for: BAPPOA website updates, social media, and e-mail blasts.
My name is Russell Meglio, and I am the Aquatics Coordinator for the City of Pleasanton. I started my aquatics career as a lifeguard 13 years ago and quickly fell in love with the job. I got my WSI certification a year after that, and since then have been all in on aquatics. I have moved up from being a lifeguard to lifeguard/swim instructor, then to pool manager before transitioning into the full-time position I currently hold with the City of Pleasanton. I hold a variety of certifications (something we all know too well). I hold the following certifications: Lifeguard (Bundle 5), WSI, WSIT, LGI, LGIT, First Aid Instructor, First Aid Instructor Trainer, and CPO . I studied at San Francisco State University and graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration.
When I am not at work, I like to spend time with my dog, Leila, whether it's a hike or just cuddling up and cheering on the Sharks. You can also find me at a local hockey rink doing my best impressions of a competent skater..
I hope to learn more about BAPPOA through serving on the board, and will strive to provide the information you need to help keep this organization successful and an asset to the Bay Area.
Scholarships and Awards - Alyssa Smith
Livermore Area Recreation and Park District
Responsible for: Scholarship Information & Applications, Award Nominees, Awards Banquet
Hello BAPPOA members! My name is Alyssa Smith, and I am the Aquatics Coordinator for the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District. I began working in aquatics five years ago with the City of Brentwood. I started my aquatics career by teaching swim lessons as a Water Safety Instructor. In this position, I gained a love for the aquatics field and discovered my passion for delivering quality swim lessons and water safety education to the community. Along the way, I have earned my Lifeguarding Instructor certification, Aquatics Facility Operator certification, and most recently, my Water Safety Instructor Trainer certification. I graduated from CSU East Bay in December 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Human Development with a concentration in Early Childhood Development. I decided to continue my education and am currently in a master’s program at CSU East Bay for Hospitality, Recreation, and Tourism.
I look forward to serving on the BAPPOA board and am excited to meet many more aquatics professionals and friends along the way!
Sponsorships and “Friends of BAPPOA” Liaison & Surveys - Rachelle Fugitt-Schneider
City of Novato
Responsible for: Liason with Non-Profit Organizations and for Profit Organizations, Handles Survey Questions
I’m Rachelle Fugitt-Schneider, Aquatics Supervisor for the City of Novato.
My calling to Aquatics began when I was 10 years old and I saved my little brother from drowning at the private swim club we belonged to. He wandered to the edge and jumped in after a swim lesson where there was no lifeguard on duty and my mother and the instructor were discussing his progress. I was the only one who heard the splash, recognized the situation, and responded by jumping in and picking him up off the bottom of the pool. Since then I have developed a passion for teaching people how to swim and be comfortable in and around water, training lifeguards to prevent and respond to injuries, and teaching community members to save lives through CPR courses.
I worked at Hayward Area Recreation and Park District for 10 years, then moved to private swim lessons and community safety training for 5 years. From there I ran the Fitness complex at the United States Coast Guard Training Center in Petaluma for 5 years and then took the opportunity to get back into municipalities by working for the City of Berkeley and now the City of Novato. I received my bachelors in Kinesiology from Cal State East Bay and use my knowledge of how the body moves in my instructions.
My free time is spent exercising with my 2 dogs: Guinness and Duke, and playing video and board games with my husband. I also am an amateur baker and my staff is happy to be my taste testers.
I participated in BAPPOA’s lifeguard games from 2002-2009 and am excited to give back to the BAPPOA community and help the next generation of Aquatics leaders thrive.