About

Shawn P. DeRosa is one of the leading experts in aquatic risk management in the nation, having spent nearly 9 years working at The Pennsylvania State University, seven years as the Director of Aquatics and Safety Officer for Intercollegiate Athletics / Associate Director of Campus Recreation, Aquatics and Safety and then nearly two years as the Senior Associate Director of Campus Recreation for Business and Administrative Services.

As the former Northeast Regional Director for the National Recreation and Park Association, Shawn is very familiar with issues pertaining to park and recreation agencies. Before joining NRPA staff, Shawn worked as the Aquatics Program Coordinator for the Massachusetts State Forrest and Park System (now known as the Department of Conservation and Recreation). While working for the state parks system, Shawn oversaw 66 aquatic facilities including 38 inland beaches, 6 ocean beaches, and 20 swimming pools. For five years, Shawn was a member of the Adjunct Faculty of Salem State College where he taught courses for the Department of Sport, Fitness and Leisure Studies - one of the few colleges in the nation which offers a specialized concentration in Aquatic Administration.

Shawn brings over 30 years experience in aquatics as a lifeguard, instructor trainer, Certified Pool Operator, Aquatic Facility Operator Instructor, Safe Swimming Beaches Instructor and aquatics director. He also served for three years on the National Recreation and Park Association's Board of Directors for the Aquatic Facility Operator program where Shawn helped guide the NRPA Aquatic Branch in strengthening the AFO program and in developing the Aquatic Facility Technician program.

In November 2009, Shawn DeRosa was selected to be a member of the American National Red Cross "Sounding Board" for the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Program. Retained by Krames/Staywell as a Subject Matter Expert in the development of the Red Cross training program, Shawn was instrumental in developing and reviewing the 2012 Lifeguarding program materials.

Shawn DeRosa was selected as one of the Top 100 Leaders in the aquatic profession for 2003 and 2004, as profiled by Aquatics International magazine. In February 2005, Attorney DeRosa was profiled by Aquatics International as one of "the 25 most powerful people in the world of aquatics - including superstar gold medalist Michael Phelps."

On May 12, 2006, Shawn DeRosa was presented with the prestigious Paragon Award for Aquatic Safety. The presentation ceremony was a significant part of the International Swimming Hall of Fame Honors Weekend. The Paragon Award is bestowed upon an individual who has shown hard work, dedication, discipline and excellence in their chosen field. The categories are: competitive swimming, competitive diving, water polo, synchronized swimming, aquatic safety and recreational swimming.

In February 2014, Shawn DeRosa was awarded the Association of Aquatic Professional's "Distinguished Service Award". This award, selected by other aquatic professionals, is awarded to someone who exemplifies what it means to be an aquatic professional, both through leadership and service.

Shawn offers a thorough understanding of risk management in the recreation and aquatic fields which he demonstrates at his many training sessions across the nation as well as in a variety of articles published in major trade journals. Apart from the education and training services Shawn is so well known for, Shawn has been retained as an expert witness in a variety of aquatic injury cases involving injuries at both swimming pools and natural water areas.

A member of the Technical Advisory Group for the 2000 revisions to American Red Cross Lifeguarding Program, Shawn helped edit and author the Lifeguard Training text and develop related program materials. In 2002, Shawn served as an external reviewer and technical consultant for the latest revisions to the Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer program. In 2003 Shawn accepted the invitation to serve as a member of the American Red Cross Lifeguard Management Development Team, helping to develop the new Lifeguard Management program.