LIAC Coaching Staff
Senior Staff:
Dave Ferris:
Ginny Nussbaum:
Keith Green
Keith Green is beginning his sixth season with the Long Island Aquatic Club. Green is a former High School All-American and Catholic High School National Champion in both the 50 and 100 Freestyle who went on to swim at the University of Georgia.
Green has previously coached at Molloy High School and with Long Beach Aquatics. He is currently the Head Coach of 13 & O #2 and an assistant coach on 13 & O #1.
“I chose LIAC because I have always admired Both Dave and Ginny's professionalism and dedication to the sport and its swimmers, dating back to my time as a swimmer in Metro.”
“I love coaching because I enjoy watching and being a part of our swimmers succeeding both in and out of the pool. It's amazing to watch them take the lessons they learn here at LIAC and put them to use as they move forward in their academic and athletic careers.”
Peter O'Donnell
Peter O’Donnell is a native of Blauvelt, NY. O’Donnell was a High School swimmer and was a state championship qualifier both his junior and senior years. O’Donnell graduated from Tappan Zee High School and went on to complete his college education at SUNY Purchase.
O’Donnell began coaching with New York Sharks in 2011. From 2013-2015 O’Donnell coached with Phoenix Aquatic Club before returning to New York Sharks from 2015-2020.
From 2014-2018 O’Donnell was a part of a private competitive lessons program which utilized an endless pool and video footage to bolster technical aspects of the four strokes. In his time there O’Donnell worked with athletes from beginner to collegiate levels.
“My love of swimming and coaching comes from the belief that if a person is given the correct opportunity and guidance, anyone can achieve greatness. My coaches had a great influence on my life and I am grateful for their commitment to me as a young person, this is something I hope to pass along to future generations of athletes.”
“I chose LIAC because of the abundance of opportunity here on Long Island. From the infrastructure, owners, leadership, experience, staff and facility all of which made me believe LIAC would be a great fit for me to grow and continue to improve and learn as a coach and person.”
O’Donnell will primarily be working with the 13 & Over groups, serving as an assistant coach on both 13 & Over #1 and 13 & Over #2.
Michael Lennon
Michael Lennon is currently in his sixth year with the Long Island Aquatic Club. A native of Williston Park, NY, Lennon earned degrees in both English and Journalism from the University of Connecticut.
Prior to swimming at the University of Connecticut, Lennon swam for the Long Island Aquatic Club and competed at the 2012 Olympic Trials in the 1500 freestyle. He is currently in his first year as the head coach of 13 & O #3 and his fourth year as an assistant coach with 13 & O #1.
“I chose LIAC to give back to a program that gave me so much as an athlete. I was fortunate enough to have swam in Dave and Ginny’s group as an athlete and now learn from them as a coach.”
Emmanuela Piantanida
Emmanuela (or Emmy for short) started working with the Long Island Swim School in 2013 as a swimming instructor. An Italian native, Piantanida earned a Biological Studies degree from the State University in Milano.
Having swam competitively in Italy, Piantanida brought her knowledge to Junior Team in the fall of 2016 and has worked with the group since. She also began coaching with 13 & Over #3 in the fall of 2020.
“The sport of swimming, along with my old coach, gave me the strength to overcome all the challenges I’ve encountered in my life . I’ve learned to view failure as a new start, victories as a reason to grow and plateaus as a reason to work harder.”
“I chose LIAC because of my daughters. LIAC provided them with an amazing opportunity and environment to grow into the best athletes they were and are able to be. I truly believe in the process that teaches all athletes to strive to be the most successful person they can be, both in and out of the pool. Working in such a passionate and professional environment always gives me the will to be better.”
Kat Harris
Kat Harris has been a coach at the Long Island Aquatic Club for the last seven years. Harris got her start in the sport with Long Beach Aquatics, and continued her swimming career at SUNY Cortland.
Harris also taught swim lessons at Long Island Swim School for four years. Along with coaching at LIAC for the last seven years, she has coached Long Beach Varsity Swimming for the last two seasons.
“I coach because I love to teach my swimmers skills and different techniques in the pool as well as life skills out of the pool; such as mentally being able to overcome different challenges along their journey throughout swimming. Watching swimmers grow throughout this life long sport makes it worth it.”
“I chose to work for LIAC knowing our athletes would reach their highest potential in the pool. We also have an amazing coaching staff that have become lifelong friends.”
Ginny Nussbaum:
Keith Green
Keith Green is beginning his sixth season with the Long Island Aquatic Club. Green is a former High School All-American and Catholic High School National Champion in both the 50 and 100 Freestyle who went on to swim at the University of Georgia.
Green has previously coached at Molloy High School and with Long Beach Aquatics. He is currently the Head Coach of 13 & O #2 and an assistant coach on 13 & O #1.
“I chose LIAC because I have always admired Both Dave and Ginny's professionalism and dedication to the sport and its swimmers, dating back to my time as a swimmer in Metro.”
“I love coaching because I enjoy watching and being a part of our swimmers succeeding both in and out of the pool. It's amazing to watch them take the lessons they learn here at LIAC and put them to use as they move forward in their academic and athletic careers.”
Peter O'Donnell
Peter O’Donnell is a native of Blauvelt, NY. O’Donnell was a High School swimmer and was a state championship qualifier both his junior and senior years. O’Donnell graduated from Tappan Zee High School and went on to complete his college education at SUNY Purchase.
O’Donnell began coaching with New York Sharks in 2011. From 2013-2015 O’Donnell coached with Phoenix Aquatic Club before returning to New York Sharks from 2015-2020.
From 2014-2018 O’Donnell was a part of a private competitive lessons program which utilized an endless pool and video footage to bolster technical aspects of the four strokes. In his time there O’Donnell worked with athletes from beginner to collegiate levels.
“My love of swimming and coaching comes from the belief that if a person is given the correct opportunity and guidance, anyone can achieve greatness. My coaches had a great influence on my life and I am grateful for their commitment to me as a young person, this is something I hope to pass along to future generations of athletes.”
“I chose LIAC because of the abundance of opportunity here on Long Island. From the infrastructure, owners, leadership, experience, staff and facility all of which made me believe LIAC would be a great fit for me to grow and continue to improve and learn as a coach and person.”
O’Donnell will primarily be working with the 13 & Over groups, serving as an assistant coach on both 13 & Over #1 and 13 & Over #2.
Michael Lennon
Michael Lennon is currently in his sixth year with the Long Island Aquatic Club. A native of Williston Park, NY, Lennon earned degrees in both English and Journalism from the University of Connecticut.
Prior to swimming at the University of Connecticut, Lennon swam for the Long Island Aquatic Club and competed at the 2012 Olympic Trials in the 1500 freestyle. He is currently in his first year as the head coach of 13 & O #3 and his fourth year as an assistant coach with 13 & O #1.
“I chose LIAC to give back to a program that gave me so much as an athlete. I was fortunate enough to have swam in Dave and Ginny’s group as an athlete and now learn from them as a coach.”
Emmanuela Piantanida
Emmanuela (or Emmy for short) started working with the Long Island Swim School in 2013 as a swimming instructor. An Italian native, Piantanida earned a Biological Studies degree from the State University in Milano.
Having swam competitively in Italy, Piantanida brought her knowledge to Junior Team in the fall of 2016 and has worked with the group since. She also began coaching with 13 & Over #3 in the fall of 2020.
“The sport of swimming, along with my old coach, gave me the strength to overcome all the challenges I’ve encountered in my life . I’ve learned to view failure as a new start, victories as a reason to grow and plateaus as a reason to work harder.”
“I chose LIAC because of my daughters. LIAC provided them with an amazing opportunity and environment to grow into the best athletes they were and are able to be. I truly believe in the process that teaches all athletes to strive to be the most successful person they can be, both in and out of the pool. Working in such a passionate and professional environment always gives me the will to be better.”
Kat Harris
Kat Harris has been a coach at the Long Island Aquatic Club for the last seven years. Harris got her start in the sport with Long Beach Aquatics, and continued her swimming career at SUNY Cortland.
Harris also taught swim lessons at Long Island Swim School for four years. Along with coaching at LIAC for the last seven years, she has coached Long Beach Varsity Swimming for the last two seasons.
“I coach because I love to teach my swimmers skills and different techniques in the pool as well as life skills out of the pool; such as mentally being able to overcome different challenges along their journey throughout swimming. Watching swimmers grow throughout this life long sport makes it worth it.”
“I chose to work for LIAC knowing our athletes would reach their highest potential in the pool. We also have an amazing coaching staff that have become lifelong friends.”
Age Group Staff:
Gabi Sofia
Moving to the United States from Lithuania in 2003, Gabi Sofia serves as Long Island Aquatic Club’s Head Age Group Coach. Sofia, a former Lithuanian National Team athlete, has a B.A. in Management and Business Administration Studies in Accounting and Insurance Enterprises.
Sofia began her coaching career with Old Westbury Aquatics, working there from 2004-2006. She then began coaching with the Long Island Aquatic Club in 2007, where she currently serves as the Head Age Group Coach. Since arriving in 2007, she has collected multiple accolades including her most recent nominations for Age Group Coach of the year in 2020 and 2021.
“I have high expectations for my athletes and take pride in our unique training program. I am committed to providing our athletes with the tools to take their swimming capabilities to the highest level, as well as helping them learn the most important skills so they become leaders in and out of the pool.”
Sofia is currently the head coach of Age Group #1 and an assistant coach of Age Group #2.
Dom Boccio
Dom Boccio is a native of North Massapequa, New York. Boccio was an athlete on both Farmingdale Swim Club and Team Suffolk before swimming competitively at Boston College. While at Boston College he earned a B.A. in psychology and is set to graduate with a M.A. in Sports Industry Management from Georgetown University this spring.
Boccio first began coaching with Farmingdale Varsity Swimming in 2011 and worked with both Farmingdale Aquatics and Farmingdale Varsity Swimming in 2012 before joining the Long Island Aquatic Club in the summer of 2012.
“I had very limited swim knowledge as a swimmer and coach when I started working with LIAC. The club took a chance on me and it has been a wonderful experience watching the program develop and grow. Being a part of that growth has been rewarding and continuing to provide a positive environment for young athletes at all levels to train, race, and meet friends is important to me.”
“I had several coaches who served as positive mentors in my life in and out of the pool. Want to continue to provide that for future generations of swimmers. I enjoy watching age group swimmers fall in love with the sport of swimming and find their own level of success, whether that is at the local club, varsity, national, D1, D2, or D3 level.”
Gabby Borutecene
Gabby Borutecene is a native of Port Washington, New York. A former Long Island Aquatic Club athlete herself, Borutecene swam competitively at NYU and graduated with a degree in Sports Management and Marketing.
Borutecene is currently working with the program for her eighth year. She currently works with the age group program as the head coach of both Red Team and Age Group #3, and also assists Age Group #4, Age Group #2 and Age Group #1.
“Coaching the 12 and unders in our program for me is a great opportunity for these swimmers to have fun and love swimming competitively. It’s inspiring to work with these young athletes and teach them what it means to be a LIAC swimmer, and help develop the best versions of themselves in and out of the pool.”
“I chose to work with kids in the program I grew up in because I wholeheartedly believe in our values and the environment we have created. LIAC made me into the person I am today and if I can instill just one of those virtues to these young athletes that’s what inspires me.”
Leanna Jerolimov
Leanna Jerolimov is currently beginning her fifth year coaching with LIAC. Jerolimov swam for LIAC in high school and is a graduate student at Molloy College pursuing her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Jerolimov has been a Red Team assistant since starting at the Long Island Aquatic Club. After starting as the Age Group #4 head coach last season, Jerolimov will continue working with the group’s 11 & Over athletes for the 2021-2022 season.
“It is rewarding for me to coach this age group specifically because I love watching young athletes demonstrate their love for competing and the sport of swimming. I am grateful to have been a part of LIAC throughout my life and I am humbled for the opportunity to contribute to the continued success of our age group program, alongside the rest of our coaching staff.”
“I love to work with people and want to help our communities achieve optimal health both physically and mentally. Coaching has contributed to my education as I am able to encounter so many personalities each day and assist young athletes in beginning to create and realize their goals and potential.”
Verny Rodriguez
Verny Rodriguez is a native of Costa Rica, who at the age of 13 moved to Queens. Rodriguez went on to swim four years at John Adams High School, where he was team captain in 1988. In 2016 Rodriguez earned a degree in Applied Sciences from LaGuardia Community College.
Rodriguez has coached for the last twenty-five years with Twisters Swim Club at their LaGuardia Community College site. Rodriguez was Metropolitan Swimming’s Age Group Coach of the Year for the 2012-2013 season.
“I coach because I love the sport and the personal gratification I feel from being a part of the development and growth of athletes. Working with the Long Island Aquatic Club presents me with an opportunity to share my knowledge with a terrific group of athletes.”
Rodriguez will primarily be working with the 10 & Under athletes, serving as a coach of Age Group #4 and as an assistant of Age Groups #3, #2 and #1.
Steve Chan
Steve Chan is starting his fourth year coaching with the Long Island Aquatic Club. Chan swam competitively at Binghamton University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He later went on to earn his Masters of Science in Elementary Education from Molloy College.
Before coming to Long Island Aquatic Club, Chan coached at Bethpage PAL Barracudas from May 2011 thru August 2016.
“I coach to promote, teach, and learn more about the sport. I chose LIAC for the opportunity to learn from and work alongside top tier coaches, and to be a part of the culture.”
Allison Muety
A Long Beach native, Allison Muety picked up swimming at the age of 8 as a member of Long Beach Aquatics. Allison then swam for the Long Island Aquatic Club before her collegiate career at Towson University. Muety has two Masters degrees, one in Early Childhood Education and another in Physical Education.
On top of her current physical education teaching job, Muety coached at Long Beach Aquatics from 2018-2020 before starting with Long Island Aquatic Club.
“I coach swimming because I have a passion for the sport and I enjoy coaching children who have the same passion. I love watching our swimmers achieve both in-water goals as well as personal goals.”
“I chose to coach for LIAC because of the wonderful experience I had swimming for LIAC and Dave Ferris. LIAC cultivates the whole person and life long friendships are made.”
Moving to the United States from Lithuania in 2003, Gabi Sofia serves as Long Island Aquatic Club’s Head Age Group Coach. Sofia, a former Lithuanian National Team athlete, has a B.A. in Management and Business Administration Studies in Accounting and Insurance Enterprises.
Sofia began her coaching career with Old Westbury Aquatics, working there from 2004-2006. She then began coaching with the Long Island Aquatic Club in 2007, where she currently serves as the Head Age Group Coach. Since arriving in 2007, she has collected multiple accolades including her most recent nominations for Age Group Coach of the year in 2020 and 2021.
“I have high expectations for my athletes and take pride in our unique training program. I am committed to providing our athletes with the tools to take their swimming capabilities to the highest level, as well as helping them learn the most important skills so they become leaders in and out of the pool.”
Sofia is currently the head coach of Age Group #1 and an assistant coach of Age Group #2.
Dom Boccio
Dom Boccio is a native of North Massapequa, New York. Boccio was an athlete on both Farmingdale Swim Club and Team Suffolk before swimming competitively at Boston College. While at Boston College he earned a B.A. in psychology and is set to graduate with a M.A. in Sports Industry Management from Georgetown University this spring.
Boccio first began coaching with Farmingdale Varsity Swimming in 2011 and worked with both Farmingdale Aquatics and Farmingdale Varsity Swimming in 2012 before joining the Long Island Aquatic Club in the summer of 2012.
“I had very limited swim knowledge as a swimmer and coach when I started working with LIAC. The club took a chance on me and it has been a wonderful experience watching the program develop and grow. Being a part of that growth has been rewarding and continuing to provide a positive environment for young athletes at all levels to train, race, and meet friends is important to me.”
“I had several coaches who served as positive mentors in my life in and out of the pool. Want to continue to provide that for future generations of swimmers. I enjoy watching age group swimmers fall in love with the sport of swimming and find their own level of success, whether that is at the local club, varsity, national, D1, D2, or D3 level.”
Gabby Borutecene
Gabby Borutecene is a native of Port Washington, New York. A former Long Island Aquatic Club athlete herself, Borutecene swam competitively at NYU and graduated with a degree in Sports Management and Marketing.
Borutecene is currently working with the program for her eighth year. She currently works with the age group program as the head coach of both Red Team and Age Group #3, and also assists Age Group #4, Age Group #2 and Age Group #1.
“Coaching the 12 and unders in our program for me is a great opportunity for these swimmers to have fun and love swimming competitively. It’s inspiring to work with these young athletes and teach them what it means to be a LIAC swimmer, and help develop the best versions of themselves in and out of the pool.”
“I chose to work with kids in the program I grew up in because I wholeheartedly believe in our values and the environment we have created. LIAC made me into the person I am today and if I can instill just one of those virtues to these young athletes that’s what inspires me.”
Leanna Jerolimov
Leanna Jerolimov is currently beginning her fifth year coaching with LIAC. Jerolimov swam for LIAC in high school and is a graduate student at Molloy College pursuing her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Jerolimov has been a Red Team assistant since starting at the Long Island Aquatic Club. After starting as the Age Group #4 head coach last season, Jerolimov will continue working with the group’s 11 & Over athletes for the 2021-2022 season.
“It is rewarding for me to coach this age group specifically because I love watching young athletes demonstrate their love for competing and the sport of swimming. I am grateful to have been a part of LIAC throughout my life and I am humbled for the opportunity to contribute to the continued success of our age group program, alongside the rest of our coaching staff.”
“I love to work with people and want to help our communities achieve optimal health both physically and mentally. Coaching has contributed to my education as I am able to encounter so many personalities each day and assist young athletes in beginning to create and realize their goals and potential.”
Verny Rodriguez
Verny Rodriguez is a native of Costa Rica, who at the age of 13 moved to Queens. Rodriguez went on to swim four years at John Adams High School, where he was team captain in 1988. In 2016 Rodriguez earned a degree in Applied Sciences from LaGuardia Community College.
Rodriguez has coached for the last twenty-five years with Twisters Swim Club at their LaGuardia Community College site. Rodriguez was Metropolitan Swimming’s Age Group Coach of the Year for the 2012-2013 season.
“I coach because I love the sport and the personal gratification I feel from being a part of the development and growth of athletes. Working with the Long Island Aquatic Club presents me with an opportunity to share my knowledge with a terrific group of athletes.”
Rodriguez will primarily be working with the 10 & Under athletes, serving as a coach of Age Group #4 and as an assistant of Age Groups #3, #2 and #1.
Steve Chan
Steve Chan is starting his fourth year coaching with the Long Island Aquatic Club. Chan swam competitively at Binghamton University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He later went on to earn his Masters of Science in Elementary Education from Molloy College.
Before coming to Long Island Aquatic Club, Chan coached at Bethpage PAL Barracudas from May 2011 thru August 2016.
“I coach to promote, teach, and learn more about the sport. I chose LIAC for the opportunity to learn from and work alongside top tier coaches, and to be a part of the culture.”
Allison Muety
A Long Beach native, Allison Muety picked up swimming at the age of 8 as a member of Long Beach Aquatics. Allison then swam for the Long Island Aquatic Club before her collegiate career at Towson University. Muety has two Masters degrees, one in Early Childhood Education and another in Physical Education.
On top of her current physical education teaching job, Muety coached at Long Beach Aquatics from 2018-2020 before starting with Long Island Aquatic Club.
“I coach swimming because I have a passion for the sport and I enjoy coaching children who have the same passion. I love watching our swimmers achieve both in-water goals as well as personal goals.”
“I chose to coach for LIAC because of the wonderful experience I had swimming for LIAC and Dave Ferris. LIAC cultivates the whole person and life long friendships are made.”
