WAC Development Team
A volunteer team of business professionals, attorneys, MDs, CPAs, retired military officers, master swimmers, and Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist Kathleen Baker, is working together to develop WAC. In the pre-development phase, they are working diligently to make WAC a reality. WAC has broad community support with thousands of local residents having signed a petition in support of WAC.
WAC Strategic Advisor: Former Olympic Coach David Marsh is a globally renowned swim coach who has coached more than 60 Olympians from 20+ countries, including 8 Gold Medalists. Coach Marsh has been inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame, the NC Swimming Hall of Fame and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. WAC and Coach Marsh share a pursuit of excellence, in sport and in life.
FUNDING: WAC has the tremendous advantage of a land donation coming from Olsen Farm where WAC will be built. WAC's mission of drowning prevention, promoting health and well being, and fostering community, fits the priorities of many public and private sources, from which WAC seeks funding.
WAC TEAM
Chip Hicks, WAC Founder
Chip Hicks is the donor of the land for WAC. He is the Founder of WAC and the Founder and President of Nurses Choice Corporation. Mr. Hicks has a proven track record of successful community projects, including founding the Olsen Farm Soccer Fields, Olsen Park, nCino Soccer Park, Hampstead Kiwanis Park and the Eaton Soccer Fields.
Kathleen Baker, WAC Spokesperson
Kathleen Baker, a Wrightsville Beach resident, is an Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist and former world record holder in the 100-meter backstroke. Originally from Winston Salem, North Carolina, Kathleen had to relocate to Charlotte as a teenager due to the lack of local swimming facilities where she could train. In addition to her Olympic success, Kathleen has set multiple American records and earned several World Championship medals, including golds in the 4×100-meter medley relay. Kathleen was inducted into the NC Swimming Hall of Fame in 2024.
Kathy Pawlowski, JD, Director, Development Team
Vol., Schools in Pools, YMCA; former Vol. Asst. Swim Coach, YWCA; co-Founder 4th/5th grade & former Board Member, Wilmington Academy of Arts & Sciences; co-Founder & first Director, Mintz Levin Domestic Violence Project; Georgetown Law with Honors, 1989; US Masters Swimmer Email: kathy@wilmingtonaquaticcenter.com
Carl Labonge, MBA, WAC Finance Advisor
Sr VP & Global Commercial Banking Relationship Mgr, Bank of America with 35+ yrs experience delivering strategic financial solutions to businesses. A lifelong aquatics advocate, both Carl's children were Div I swimmers and his daughter earned NCAA All-American honors and qualified for the Olympic Trials. Carl was VP for NC Swimming, officiated at USA Swimming and collegiate events, and served a key finance role in the development of the Greensboro Aquatic Center.
Rich Murphy, WAC Aquatics Systems Advisor
Over 40 years in the aquatics industry; SME in heating, filtration & pumps; US Masters Swimmer & Triathlete
JR Hipple, WAC PR Advisor
Award-winning communications/public relations consulting executive; former longtime member, Board of Trustees, SwimRVA, nonprofit aquatics center with 50-meter pool & leader in Drown Proofing, Richmond, VA; Instructor of leadership communications at UVA Darden School of Business; slowest-guy-in-the-pool swimmer
Stan Bullock, CPA
Extensive Experience representing non-profit organizations; Together with Chip, Stan developed several soccer fields & recreation parks in the Wilmington area
Laura Byrd
Vice-President, HSMA, Retired Engineer from the Food & Drug Administration, Habitat for Humanity & Community in Schools Volunteer, US Masters All-American Relay Record Holder
Sam Catlett, CFP, CPWA, CEPA
Treasurer, The Wrightsville Beach Foundation and One Way Out; Cameron Executive Network, member and student mentor; Active in multiple non-profit organizations in several leadership roles
Margaret Heitman Collins
Retired Owner & Broker in charge of The Pier House Group in Wrightsville Beach, NC; Former President/Owner of Glyotech, Inc. in Leland, NC; Who’s Who in American Real Estate Brokers, 2004, with significant real estate sales & management in Coastal NC for 35+ years; Coach of the year for Swim Florida, 1988; Masters Swimmer National Relay Record Holder
Todd Godin, CPWA
Founder, Hampstead Kiwanis Park; former President Hampstead Kiwanis Park; Board Member, Cape Fear Soccer; Member, Rotary; NC Outstanding Service Medallion Award presented by former NC Governor Mike Easley
Ronald Huebner
Retired Logistics Manager in corporate offices of UPS, FedEx & Walmart; Head Coach of Swimming, Diving & Water Polo, Univ. of KY, 1968-1973, coached 8x US Olympic Swim Coach, Mark Schubert; Head Swimming Coach, Univ. of TX, 1973-1975; Lead Advisor for design and construction of Lee & Joe Jamail Swimming Center, Austin, TX, 1973-1976; College All American Swimmer & Water Polo player
Col (USAF-Ret.) Amy E. Russo-Dahl,
MSC, MPA, FACMPE
25 yr Air Force Veteran; Healthcare Executive; Leader in Healthcare Operations Management; Efficiency, Patient Advocacy & Safety; DoD Healthcare Policy/Cross-functional Coordinator; European Forces Swim League Official
J. Alex Thomas, MD, FAANS
Award winning and published Neurosurgeon, Atlantic Brain and Spine; Duke University Varsity Swim Team, 1996-1999; US Masters Swimmer
Alan Toll, JD
Member, NC Swimming Hall of Fame Committee; Former Asst. Manager, International Swimming Hall of Fame pool; Head Age Group Coach, Ft. Lauderdale Swim Team; All-American Captain UNC Swim Team; Educational Foundation Award Swimmer, Most Outstanding Swimmer Senior
Celia Wolff
President, Hawk Masters Swim Association (“HMSA”); Vice-Chair & Coaches Chair, NC Masters Swimming; USMS Level 4 Swim Coach, USMS Kerry O’Brien Coaches Award, 2021; US Masters World Relay Record Holder & All-American Relay Record Holder
Mike Youngblood
Founder, Youngblood Staffing; former Wilmington City Council member; former Chairman, NHRMC Foundation; NCSU Board of Visitors; competed in numerous Triathlons
Pictured: Olympic Gold & Silver Medalist, Wrightsville Beach resident & WAC Spokesperson Kathleen Baker
Photos Credit: Courtesy of Madeline Gray
