• (770) 993-7499
  • Atlanta, GA
  • info@gawatersafety.org
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Board Members

Members

Craig Sears

Founder

Bio

Renata Sears

Co-Founder

Bio

Facundo Texeira

Community Outreach Coordinator

Bio

Esteban Galarza

Director of Marketing

Bio

Dr. Roselyn Marie Hicks

Medical Director

Bio

Alex Ward

Director of Legal Affairs

Bio

Advisors

Meghan Harris

Board Advisor

Bio

Jason Vaniman

Board Advisor

Bio
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Craig earned a degree in Biology from Washington and Lee University and a Masters degree in Management from Georgia State University. His passion for swimming and the aquatics industry led him to establish Sears Pool Management in 1997. He is involved in the day to day activity of the company focusing on building and sustaining quality service and customer relationships. He serves on the board of the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals and founded the Greater Atlanta Water Safety Alliance which is dedicated to community water safety education. He also earned the highest industry designations of APSP as a Certified Service Professional and Certified Building Professional. Craig has CPO, LGIT, APSP Tech I, II and CSP certifications. He is also a CPO instructor.

Renata first joined the SPMC team in 2001 as a summer lifeguard. After a second summer of lifeguarding in 2002, Renata was promoted to Foreign Affairs Liaison, in charge of our international recruiting program, which recruited, trained, and staffed J-1 students as lifeguards. Renata also became our Head Scheduler during pool season. In 2003, Renata married Craig. She continued to work as Foreign Affairs Liaison and Head Scheduler until late Summer 2007, when her daughter was born. Renata continues to work on special projects and in an advisory capacity to the management team. Renata was born in Slovakia, has a degree in Physical Education and Special Education, is fluent in English, Slovak, Czech, Polish, and enjoys raising her two children, physical fitness, and travel. She is also passionate about water safety and serves on the Board of Directors for GAWSA.

Facundo Texeira serves as the Community Outreach Coordinator for the Greater Atlanta Water Safety Alliance (GAWSA), where he leads initiatives that connect underserved communities—especially Latino and immigrant families—with vital water safety education and swim programs. Originally from Uruguay, Facundo brings a bicultural perspective and a deep passion for community empowerment. He works closely with local organizations, schools, and public agencies to break down barriers related to language, access, and awareness. Through his coordination efforts, GAWSA has expanded its reach, increasing participation in scholarship programs and building strong community partnerships. Known for his empathy and hands-on leadership, Facundo is committed to making water safety inclusive and accessible for all. Outside of work, he enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, and volunteering. His dedication to service and equity makes him a key member of GAWSA’s mission to ensure that every family has the opportunity to learn essential life-saving skills.
Esteban, an Ecuadorian immigrant and skilled marketing professional, has dedicated his career to helping nonprofits and communities thrive. His journey as an immigrant shaped his commitment to empowering underserved populations through innovative marketing strategies and meaningful collaborations.
As a co-founder of Trebol Media Group, Esteban has worked with nonprofits across diverse industries, creating campaigns that amplify their missions and drive social impact. His approach blends creativity, cultural understanding, and data-driven insights, ensuring measurable results for every project.
Esteban’s passion for community extends beyond his professional work. He actively supports initiatives focused on education, inclusion, and growth, volunteering his expertise to create lasting change.
Through his dedication to people and purpose, Esteban has become a trusted ally for organizations seeking to make a difference. His story reflects the power of hard work, compassion, and the belief in building stronger, more inclusive communities.

Dr. Roselyn M. Hicks, MD, is a specialist in Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, with over 20 years of experience in clinical practice, leadership, teaching, and health equity consulting. As an equity consultant, she collaborates with community organizations and government agencies on initiatives that impact health literacy and health policy. She serves as an Assistant Professor at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, where she teaches and cares for patients at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

An alumna of Hampton University and the East Carolina University School of Medicine, she completed her Pediatrics residency and an Allergy/Immunology fellowship. She also leads in public health as a member of various asthma and allergy committees and is a water safety instructor and triathlete. Her work emphasizes reducing health disparities through education and public policy.

Alex Ward has been a dedicated member of the aquatics industry for over 20 years. Starting as a lifeguard, Alex advanced to become a lifeguard instructor and a certified pool and spa operator instructor, demonstrating a deep commitment to water safety and education. In addition to his extensive experience in aquatics, Alex serves as a county commissioner in Barrow County, where he actively works to improve community services and safety measures.

Professionally, Alex is a lawyer, bringing his legal expertise to various facets of his community work. He also brings valuable experience from his involvement with other non-profits, including serving on a board that supports children in crisis and volunteering with 4-H, an organization dedicated to youth development.

When not working to enhance water safety and community well-being, Alex enjoys hiking, white water rafting, and is currently working on his private pilot’s license. His multifaceted background in both public service and community engagement, combined with a love for adventure, makes Alex a vital asset to the Greater Atlanta Water Safety Alliance, where he is committed to promoting water safety and the importance of swim lessons across the region.

Meghan joined our staffing team in March 2020, just before the pandemic. She has a lifetime of experience: from swimming competitively, to coaching, to serving as HOA president and pool chair. Meghan was previously lifeguard certified has been CPO certified 2019. Her vast industry experience enables her to assist in meeting both clients’ and lifeguards’ needs for a safe and successful season.