Maria has been professionally involved in sports and recreation for more than 30 years and has operated numerous aquatic facilities and fitness centers. She has coached a variety of sports and is expert in athlete development, child supervision, staff training, and risk management.
In addition to her forensic consulting, Maria owns companies that offer swimming instruction and exercise programs to children and adults, and aquatic consulting services to colleges/universities, municipalities, school districts, general contractors, and the hotel/motel industry. She is an authorized Lifeguard Instructor, a Certified Pool Operator Instructor, and one of only four Aquatic Facility Operator Instructor Trainers in the world.
Maria is also a certified Amusement Ride Inspector and a Certified Playground Safety Inspector. She participates in several standards writing committees and serves on the Board of Directors for Professional Pool Operators of America.
Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:A: Keiser University
Aquatic Engineering
University of Colorado
Pre-medicine
American Red Cross
Lifeguard Instructor
National Recreation and Park Association
Aquatic Facility Operator Instructor
National Aquatics Management School
National Playground Safety Institute
National Swimming Pool Foundation
Certified Pool Operator Instructor
World Aquatic Health Conference, 2005-2008
Aquatic Facility Design and Risk Reduction
Aquatic Health Benefits and Therapy
Drowning Prevention and Lifeguarding
Recreational Water Illness and Injury Prevention
Disinfection By-Products
Industrial New Technology
National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials
Ride Safety Inspection Forum, 2007-2009
Limited Specialty Program, 2008
Pennsylvania Amusement Ride Safety Seminar, 2008
Entrapment Education Seminar, Accredited Education Program provided by the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals, Penn-Jersey Chapter, 2006
Design Tips for Detention Ponds presented by GAE Engineering, 2006
World Waterpark Resorts Leadership Development Conference, 2006-2007
International Pool & Spa Expo, 2004, 2006
Northeast Pool & Spa Expo, 2000, 2005
United States Water Fitness Association Clinic, 2004, 2006
National Recreation and Park Association Aquatic Conference, 2001, 2004, 2007
Eastern States Coaches Conference, 1995, 1997, 1999
Unites States Swimming Coaches Clinic, 1986-1997
American Swim Coaches Association Educational Program, 1988-1997
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: Professional Committees:
Association of Pool and Spa Professionals/International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials
APSP/IAPMO-17 Safety Vacuum Release Systems, Automatic Pump Shut-Off Systems, and Vacuum Limiting Systems for Swimming Pools, Spas, Wading Pools, Hot Tubs, and Catch Pools
Association of Pool and Spa Professionals
Recreational Water Quality
ANSI/APSP-7 Suction Entrapment Avoidance in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs and Catch Basins
Technical Committee
Centers for Disease Control
Model Aquatic Health Code Risk Management/Safety Technical Committee
National Recreation and Park Association
Subject Matter Expert – AFO Job Analysis and Item Writing Group
Professional Pool Operators of America
Executive Board Member
United States Water Fitness Association
Editor – Instructor Training Manual, Understanding the Mature Participant
Professional Memeberships:
American Society for Testing and Materials
Association of Pool & Spa Professionals
National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials
National Drowning Prevention Alliance
National Recreation & Park Association
National Safe Boating Council
National Swimming Pool Foundation
National Water Safety Congress
Northeast Spa & Pool Association
Professional Pool Operators of America
United States Water Fitness Association
World Waterpark Association
Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials, Recreational Water Quality & Disease Transmission Prevention, 2009 National Conference, Pigeon Forge, TN
Building Codes for Aquatic Facilities. Lorman Education Services, Cherry Hill, NJ. 2009; Scranton, PA. 2008
Parks and Carnival Education Seminar, Water Quality for Waterparks, Altoona, PA, 2008
Sioux Falls Parks & Recreation Organization, Lifeguard Awareness Workshop, Sioux Falls, SD, 2008
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Pesticide Applicator Training, Wilkes-Barre, PA, 2008; Wyomissing, PA 2007-2009
National Recreation and Park Association, Aquatic Facility Operator Training, Ashburn, VA, 2005-2008
National Swimming Pool Foundation, Certified Pool Operator Training, Reading, PA 2005-2008
The American Association for Justice, Water Hazards at Resort Waterparks, Chicago, IL, 2007
National Aquatic Conference, Aquatic Facility Operator Instructor Training, Atlanta, GA, 2007
Athletic Business Conference and Expo, Aquatic Facility Operator Training, Orlando, FL, 2004
Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
A: No
Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
A: 100+
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: Drowning, Diving incidents, Disease Transmission, Equipment operation, Coaching, Event planning & operations
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: 60 (varies)
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: 40 (varies)
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: More than 10
Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: July 2009
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: 4
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: 3
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: 5
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: consulting, education, site inspections, testing, analysis, reports, testimony
References
Cherie DurandHulsey Law Group
2 Warfside 3
Charleston, SC 29401
843-723-5303
843-723-5307 (fax)
Joseph Assan
Dempster & Haddix
Centerpointe at East Gate
161 Gaither Drive, Suite 201
Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054-1740
856-778-7800
856-778-5889 (fax)
Philip Newman, P.C.
860 Grand Concourse
Bronx, NY 10451
718-585-3512
718-993-3712 (fax)
Andrew Goldwasser
Ciano & Goldwasser, LLP
1500 West Third Street, Suite 460
Cleveland, OH 44113
216-658-9900
216-658-9920 (fax)
