Meet Our Team
Family-owned and operated
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Meet the Hudson Valley Swim Franchise Team
Hudson Valley Swim was founded in 2003 by Jeff Gartner along with his wife Joan, as a way to bring a cost-conscious, problem-solving outlook to the task of building a family-owned swim school business.
With over two decades of experience, the Hudson Valley Swim family grew from a local vision for the neighborhood to a nationwide success. Our team provides years of knowledge, training, coaching and support to our franchise partners, with a model designed to build and grow your own swim school business.
Hudson Valley Swim is a family-owned business. We view every owner as part of our family and give them the support and experience they need to build and grow their business.
Learn more about the Hudson Valley Swim franchise team!
Jeff Gartner
Hudson Valley Swim Founder and CEO
2003 – Present
Jeff Gartner is one of the top innovators and technologists in the swim school industry today. With several decades of experience in the field, Jeff dedicates himself to creating a streamlined business solution that supports customer needs and owner growth.
As an eBusiness leader, Jeff has spent his career on the front lines of global technology companies like IBM, CA, and Avaya developing productivity and technology tools that impact millions of people daily.
Joan Gartner
Co-Founder and COO
Joan Gartner oversees operations across Hudson Valley Swim’s eight corporate locations while extending invaluable operational counsel to our franchise network. With an extensive tenure in the industry, Joan has emerged as a beacon of leadership within Hudson Valley Swim, consistently prioritizing customer satisfaction, optimizing recruitment processes, and refining operational workflows. Her commitment to excellence in delivering premier swim lesson programs across diverse markets has established her as a preeminent authority in the field. Joan’s unwavering dedication to supporting and mentoring others has earned her widespread esteem from both our internal team and franchise partners alike.
Nick Gartner
CFE and Director, Franchise Operations
Over the span of nearly a decade, Nick has played an instrumental role in shaping Hudson Valley Swim into a renowned national brand. Nick now serves as the Director of Franchise Operations, where he oversees the onboarding and training of new franchisees, supports existing owners, and leads systemwide initiatives to drive operational excellence. Through Nick’s strategic guidance, Hudson Valley Swim has swiftly expanded into fresh markets, fueling the company’s rapid growth trajectory.
Ashley McKenzie
Director of Franchise Growth
Ashley McKenzie has over 16 years of experience in franchise operations, driving growth and performance across national brands. As Director of Growth at Hudson Valley Swim, she leads franchise development efforts and strategic initiatives to accelerate systemwide expansion.
Sean Arroyo
National Aquatics Director
Sean Arroyo’s aquatic journey began as a senior instructor at Hudson Valley Swim in 2019, building on his long-standing career with the NYC Parks & Recreation Department since 1999. With teaching experience dating back to 2001, Sean earned recognition as a USA Certified Swim Coach in 2008, establishing himself as a reputable authority within local and regional swim teams. His ascent within Hudson Valley Swim saw him appointed as Corporate Aquatics Director in 2021, followed by assuming the role of National Aquatics Director in 2022. Sean’s profound expertise has been pivotal in introducing innovative techniques to enrich the lesson program and refine the curriculum using industry best practices. Renowned as an instructor trainer within our program, Sean continues to inspire and empower others with his unwavering passion for aquatics.