Board of Directors

To be updated.

Karen was fortunate to spend her childhood on a lake. So she swims, skis and sails, and is very comfortable in and around the water. But she never formally learned how to swim all the strokes until she was 35 years old. She learned how to be efficient, how to kick properly, and how to swim in a way to prevent injuries. She's not fast, but she has found a lifelong love in swimming. She also found out that even with your face in the water, you make a lot of friends at the pool!

Professionally, Karen is a land and aquatics fitness instructor (since 2004), a USMS Certified Level 2 Coach, and a personal trainer (W.I.T.S. certified since 2011). Karen specializes in fitness and functional skills for older adults, and holds multiple specialized certifications. She also loves teaching adults how to swim, and has been a USMS Adult Learn-to-Swim instructor since 2017 helping adults to develop skills to be comfortable in and safe around water.

After a successful 25 and 50 yard sprinting campaign for the 1990-1994 Beacon Square Seals of Southfield MI, Ben transitioned to the Royal Oak YMCA Blue Dolphins. Deciding for an early retirement at the age of 12 was a difficult choice. He formally reunited with swimming in 2023 with the Sylvania Masters swim team. There he found a great community of athletes and coaches and has not looked back since. He shares his passion for swimming with his son who can now lap his dad on every 100.

Rich has been competitively swimming since he was a child and joined Sylvania Masters to stay motivated to continue to swim regularly.

Rich is a software architect with Genesys Telecommunications and handles most of the club's technology related items.

David never considered himself a “swimmer” until later in life. Jim Carr, a friend of his, invited him to join Sylvania Masters. He joined primarily to improve his swim times in triathlons. Since then, he has come to love swimming in the pool and open water swims with Team Toledo Triathlon club. David strives to improve his technique in the pool and likes the camaraderie of fellow Master swimmers.

David has been a Financial Planner with Skylight Financial Group in Sylvania for over twenty years and focuses on retirement planning. David and his wife Beth enjoy traveling.

David now considers himself to be a “swimmer”.

Having joined Masters more than 20 years ago after her first triathlon in 1998, Sam thrives with a strong love for swimming and all things water. She is thankful for her gains in strength, flexibility and endurance as well as mental and emotional advancement. Sam graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1991 and struggled with swim tests, not having learned basic swimming techniques until the age of 15. Prior to Masters, she had a deep emotional fear of water everywhere.

With Andy’s coaching and also consistency in a Masters swimming schedule, she ended up swimming through both her pregnancies and made time for swim workouts where there was none as her children grew up.  A great mental attitude gets locked in with every swim. She has learned bi-lateral breathing, CO2 tolerance, stroke drills, lane etiquette, propulsion techniques, drag-reduction techniques, kick sets (well, still learning those), and so much more! Her motto to live by is "Just Keep Swimming".

Sam also participates in various OWS (Open Water Swims) and is now a certified Lifeguard. She currently works for ProMedica Laboratories as a Process Engineer and Project Manager focused on workflows, continuous improvement, efficiency, and layouts.

Alan Albert joined Sylvania Masters Swimming in 2010 and has been a happy and active member ever since. He came to the team looking to improve his technique and find a community of like-minded swimmers — and found both. Alan enjoys competing in several swim meets each year and looks forward each summer to swimming the Swim to the Moon open water 5K with fellow masters.

Alan is a Senior Project Director with Barton Malow Company, a large industrial contractor, based in Southfield Michigan. Outside the pool, Alan and his wife enjoy spending time with their two grown children and four grandchildren.

Lynne started competing in triathlons in 2008. At that time, her weakest link of the 3 disciplines was swimming. In 2009, Lynne joined Sylvania Master Swim Club to improve her swimming techniques. Thanks to many great tips and exercises from Coach Andy, swimming is now one of her stronger disciplines in triathlons and she has completed a 5K open water swim. Lynne has developed a passion for swimming as a great form of overall exercise. She enjoys the in-season weekly practices, meeting new swimmers and camaraderie of her lanemates. Lynne joined the board in 2023.

Scott joined Sylvania Masters Swim Club in 2009 to improve his form. With great coaching and motivation from fellow Masters swimmers, his times have improved in the swim portion of triathlons. The social / mental aspect has been the biggest benefit though. From the book Younger Next Year: The Exercise Program, Henry S. Lodge, M.D. writes: "Exercise releases a powerful brain chemistry that in turn creates the energy, optimism, and mood elevation you need in order to engage with life at your best". Not only do you finish your swims feeling great, but you are surrounded by fellow swimmers in a great mood also!

Scott recently retired from the technology / internet field. He now looks forward to volunteering, traveling, and maybe a few more bike rides.