The Charles River Aquatics Staff

Teaching, training and motivating swimmers of all ages to excel at all levels

Jacqueline Nolan

Director of Aquatic Programming

Jacqui began working for CRA in the summer of 2013. She graduated from Curry College in 2014 with a BS in Biology. Growing up, Jacqui swam on a club swim team for 10 years and for Medford High School for all 4 years, becoming Team Captain as a Senior. Swimming has always been central in Jacqui’s life and she shares this passion with children and adults at CRA. Outside of the pool, Jacqui enjoys spending time with her family and friends and running the occasional marathon.

Andrew Meade

Assistant Aquatics Instructor

Andrew began swimming at age 3. Throughout his childhood he loved to swim and, as soon as he was old enough, became a lifeguard and started to teach and coach swimming. Since then, Andrew’s passion for swimming and helping others to develop their skills has only grown stronger. When he is not at CRA, Andrew enjoys calisthenics, skateboarding, photography/videography, traveling and eating healthy food.

Alex Rosado

Assistant Director of Instructional Swim & Facilities/Dragons Minis & Explorers Lead Coach

Alex began swimming competitively at the age of 8 for the West Roxbury YMCA Gators. In high school, he swam for the BLA Dragons and captained the team in his junior and senior years. During college, Alex rowed crew and played water polo at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where he studied Environmental Science and Policy. He taught lessons part time for several years before becoming a full time staff member at CRA in 2012. When not at the pool, Alex loves to work on small engineering projects of all kinds at home.

Tom Wallace

Director of Instructional Swim & Facilities

Tom started swimming competitively at age three in California and has been swimming ever since, competing at the Olympic Trials in the 1500-meter freestyle in 1976.

After attending college and earning his B.A. and B.S., he became an officer in the U.S. Air Force, earning his Master's degree. Working for NATO overseas, he accumulated more than 2200 flying hours, including 151 combat support missions serving in conflicts in the Persian Gulf, Bosnia and Kosovo. He performed humanitarian work in Bosnia and Africa, and represented the Air Force and NATO in swimming, running, cycling, and triathlon competitions, including five Ironman triathlons and three world championships.

When Tom retired, he ran aquatics programs at YMCAs in Tucson, AZ and Waltham, MA before joining CRA as the Aquatics Director in 2007. He competes for the Charles River Aquatic Masters Swim Team and also races in 5K and half marathons in New England. He has a blue heeler rescue dog named Delta and a cocker spaniel named Rufus.

Jason Kleckner

Assistant Director of Instructional Swim

Jason began working for CRA in 2011 as a Summer Camp Instructor. Born in Belmont, Massachusetts, Jason took to swimming at a young age. His passion for the sport developed further when he began swimming competitively in high school at the varsity level. After high school, he attended Suffolk University in Boston, where he studied creative writing and political science. Outside of the pool, Jason enjoys taking walks, playing pinball, and solving crossword puzzles.

Jon Castaldo

Chief Operating Officer/Director of Competitive Swim/Dragons Senior Elite Lead Coach

Jon attended Fordham University, where he swam for all 4 years, graduating with a dual degree in Marketing and Management. He began his career with CRA in 2015. Jon started coaching in 2012 working primarily with 14 and under athletes, focused on technical improvement. His early coaching days were with Phoenix Swimming where his athletes competed in championship meets both in New England and nationally. Jon brings his energy and passion for swimming to his role at CRA. Jon lives with his wife Megan and their dog Max. They enjoy vacationing together and spending time at the beach.

Ryan Pitcairn

Dragons Age Group Head Coach

Ryan began competitively swimming at the age of 8 in Newburyport, Massachusetts. After swimming throughout high school at St. John’s Prep, Ryan swam competitively at Bates College. When he graduated, Ryan went to Arizona State and received a M.Ed. in Secondary Education. He then moved back east to Wolfeboro, New Hampshire where he taught English and coached swimming at Kingswood Regional High School. Ryan joined CRA in 2018 and became the Head Age Group coach in 2021. He enjoys working with each athlete to become not only the best swimmer they can be, but also to help them learn valuable life skills.

Jen Scalise

Head Coach – CRA Masters Swim Team

Kristin grew up swimming in upstate New York and competed at the D1collegiate level at University of New Hampshire. Before joining CRA, Kristin was the Head Coach of the Andover/North Andover YMCA Hurricanes. She has been coaching for over 20 years at all levels. Kristin’s coaching philosophy is built around helping athletes to develop into the best versions of themselves—both in and out of the pool.

Kristin lives on the North Shore with her husband (also a former swimmer). They have two amazing sons. When she is not at the pool, Kristin enjoys jogging and the occasional swim.

Jen began coaching Masters at CRA in 2019. She brings a wide variety of experience and a love of swimming to her role. Since age 5, Jen has been swimming competitively—first on her own town team, then on a USA Swimming team, and ultimately in college. After completing her BA in psychology at Salem State, she earned a Master’s degree from Tufts in child development and worked as a mental health counselor for over 10 years. Over the past two decades, Jen has been competing in triathlons and has qualified for the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii 8 times. Prior to coaching at CRA, Jen coached the Natick High School Girls Swim Team and was named the Boston Globe’s All-Scholastic Coach of the Year in 2014. In addition to coaching the CRA Masters Team, Jen currently coaches the Sudbury town swim team, works individually with triathletes on their swimming, and teaches spin classes. Jen lives in Framingham with her husband, son and two dogs.

Ben Kennedy

Aquatics Director/Dragons Senior-Prep & Senior Silver Lead Coach

Ben began swimming at age 10 for the Belmont Dolphins in Belmont, MA and he then swam for Belmont High School. Additionally, he swam for the Belmont Aquatic Team and the North Shore Swim Club. Ben went on to swim for 4 years at Ithaca College. His favorite events include 100 and 200 backstroke, and 200 IM. Ben still holds top 10 times at Ithaca College in 100 and 200 backstroke. He graduated with a degree in Public and Community Health. Ben is the Head Coach of the Brookline High School Men’s Swim Team. Ben enjoys working with swimmers of all ages, helping them to improve technique, and share in his love of swimming.

Andreas Harb

Dragons Voyager Lead Coach/Swim Instructor

Andreas began swimming at age 14 with Executive Swim Club in Manchester, NH. He quickly grew to love the sport and began teaching swimming lessons at age 16. Andreas attended the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology. After graduating in 2017, he began his coaching career with his childhood club-- working with athletes of all ages. He began working for CRA in the Fall of 2021. Andreas brings passion for the sport and enthusiasm for developing young athletes both in and out of the water. When not at the pool, Andreas enjoys a variety of outdoor activities with friends including hiking, skiing, kayaking and disc golf.

Kristin Murray

Dragons Team Administrator/Senior-Prep Gold Lead Coach

Kristin lives on the North Shore with her husband (also a former swimmer). They have two amazing sons. When she is not at the pool, Kristin enjoys jogging and the occasional swim.