Coaches and Directors
Head Coach/Swim Team Coordinator
Tony Gallagher has
been the Head Coach/Swim Team Coordinator for the Tiger Sharks
since 2013, after being the Head Developmental Coach and Head Age
Group Coach from 2009-2013. After making stops as an assistant
coach at
Head Age Group Coach
Originally from Munster, Indiana, Head Age Group Coach, Dustin Thompson, began his swimming career at the age of eight with the Munster Swim Club. He has accumulated numerous age group and high school swimming state championships in the freestyle, butterfly, and IM events. After high school, Dustin attended Penn State University, where he earned a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering. At PSU, he competed in the butterfly and IM events, in addition to being team captain his Senior year and National Qualifier. Thompson was named a Coach for the 2012, 2013, 2014 10 & Under Illinois Zones Team, and 2015 and 2016 Head Coach of Illinois Zones Team. Coach Dustin looks forward to leading PPD's age group program, focusing on stroke technique, swimming smart, and having fun interactions in and out of the pool.
Age Group/Senior Coach
After joining the Palatine Tiger Sharks at the age of 10, Jake Klein became heavily invested in swimming. He worked his way to compete at the State and National levels, primarily in distance Freestyle events. He swam on the Palatine High School Varsity team all four years and was a team captain his senior year. Jake began coaching with PPD in 2019 and has since realized his passion for guiding swimmers along their journey with the sport.
Age Group Coach
A former Hoffman Hawk, Coach Seth has a lengthy background swimming in the area at the club and high school level, as well as at Western Illinois University. As a member of the PPD coaching staff, Seth has been an important part of the development of the age group swimmers. Seth has an amazing support staff with his wife and family allowing him to coach and work full time as an Enrolled Agent with the accounting & tax firm BJS & Associates, LTD. He has volunteered for some time now and is looking to give back to the sport that he loves.
Age Group Coach
Joining the PPD Tiger Sharks for the short course 2021-2022 season, Coach Kim Leidolf started swimming lessons at the age of four. When she was ready for swim team, Kim started at Waubonsie White Waters and made stops at Naperville YMCA, and Maverick Swim Team. Coach Kim swam Varsity all four years at Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora and also played water polo. At the conclusion of a successful high school career, Coach Kim continued to swim in at North Central College and graduated with a degree in accounting. Over her extensive coaching career, Kim has coached championship level swimmers with the Great White Sharks in Wheaton, BR Ryall YMCA, and Buehler YMCA. Coach Kim and her husband, George, reside in area and have three children who also swim with PPD.
Age Group Coach
Coach Emily Snyder has been involved with the Tiger Sharks since 2021 as a parent and volunteer and is thrilled to start coaching this season with the White 2 and Blue 2 groups. She currently works as an adjunct professor at Harper College, but also taught high school and middle school Social Studies for over ten years and worked in advertising as well. A former swimmer from rec leagues and YMCA programs in Central Illinois, Coach Emily is excited to combine her loves of swimming and teaching while working with the Tiger Sharks. She lives in Palatine with her husband Brad, Tiger Shark swimmers Luke and Will, and their dog, Bailey. In her free time, she enjoys reading, kickboxing, cooking, boating, volunteering and watching her favorite sports teams.
Age Group Coach
Coach Alissa Wade joined the PPD Tiger Sharks in the fall of 2023. Originally from Grayslake, Alissa began swim lessons at three, before swimming competitively for Blue Devil Swim Club, CATS Aquatics and Vernon Hills Swim Team. In high school, Alissa was a multi-sport athlete, competing at the varsity level in swimming, tennis, and track and field. After High School, Coach Alissa attended the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and graduated with a BA in public relations. While at UWO, she joined a sorority and held multiple leadership positions. During her free time, Alissa loves to read, hang out with her pet bunny, or watch true crime documentaries.
Age Group Coach
Currently a junior at Conant High School Sam Borre started her swimming career with the Schaumburg Barracudas at seven years old and ultimately made the transition to the PPD Tiger Sharks at nine. Coach Sam has been with the PPD Tigersharks ever since and has grown up with the program. She has competed at the Regionals, State, and Zones levels in the past, and is currently a member of our the Senior 1 training group. Sam looks forward to getting to know all the swimmers and helping them grow as athletes on the PPD Tigersharks.
Age Group Coach
A Tiger Shark since the age of five, Coach Marcus Carter-Buckman has had many successes in the sport of swimming and water polo. As a captain for Palatine High School, Marcus was a state qualifier for PHS before swimming collegiately at DePauw University and finishing at Lake Forest College, where he holds the LFC team record in the 100 back. After graduating with a degree in Biology in 2021, Coach Marcus is currently working towards his goal to attend optometry school to become an OD. Marcus' knowledge and enthusiasm has been an incredible addition to the coaching staff as he enjoys staying involved with the sport.
Age Group Coach
Coach Agnes started her swimming career with the PPD Tiger Sharks as an age group swimmer and was a member of the Palatine High School swimming and water polo teams. Agnes joined the Tiger Sharks coaching staff in 2012, while finishing up her Bachelor's degree from Carthage College. While at Carthage, she was a standout water polo player, and team captain. With such a wide variety of experience in the water from a leadership and athletic standpoint, Agnes has been an outstanding addition to PPD's age group program. Coach Agnes has been able to help foster an environment of learning and fun, while helping develop PPD's youngest athletes.
