Coaches and Directors
Jon began his coaching career in 2012 and primarily focused on training 14 and under athletes to achieve their goals through implementing technical improvements. This is done through furthering athletes’ education within the sport and using their new found knowledge to find their most efficient stroke. Jon was a lead coach at Phoenix Swimming for his first 3 years where he successfully coached athletes to compete at the New England Championships and National Level Meets. Several of his swimmers also achieved New England records for various performances.
Jon is a very energetic fan of the sport of swimming and strives to improve the team. Under his guidance CRA has doubled to tripled in size and has become a top New England Swimming Club. Jon lives in Ashland with his wife Megan, his two children, Jeffrey Paul (JP), Jonathan Joseph (JJ), and his dog Max.
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. During the summers, he would teach swim lessons as well as work at the Bates College swim camp. Once he graduated from Bates, 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 is excited to bring is energy and excitement for the educating athletes about their technique to the team!
Alessandro attended Merrimack College, and graduated in 2016 with a BA in Human Development. He continues to swim masters and enjoys staying active. When he is not swimming, Alessandro and his wife Caitlin enjoy spending time with family, friends, and their cat, Lucy.
Jess Higgins joins the CRA coaching staff as the Lead Development Coach. Previously, Jess coached with the Boston YMCA Bluefins swim team from 2021-2023 as well as the YMCA of the North Shore from 2016-2021. Jess has worked with every age group, from novice to national levels.
Coach Jess swam at the YMCA of the North Shore through her age group career which spanned eight years before starting swimming collegiately at Regis College. During her four years at Regis she specialized in backstroke and was team captain her final two years. Jess was also named student athlete of the year twice, holding multiple team records and a finalist at the ECAC championship meet.
Coach Kelly Barker joins the CRA staff as an assistant to the Voyager, Junior, and Senior Prep Silver Groups.
Kelly grew up in Westwood and swam for the New England Barracuda's as a child and Ocean State Squid in Middle School and High School. She was also a lifeguard, swim instructor and coach for the Westwood Recreation department when she was in High School. After college Kelly began coaching for New England swimming with an area club team in 2005. Over her long span of coaching, she primarily spent my time in the Age group program. Kelly absolutely loves coaching young swimmers and has a passion for teaching stroke technique and development. Kelly has coached several swimmers in the age group program who have gone on to Junior National, and National level meets as well as Olympic Trials.
