SELA Aquatics

Professional Staff

Our professional staff contains qualified, passionate, and talented individuals. Instructors and staff members bring enthusiasm and personality as managers and teachers, creating a positive work environment and a dynamic learning environment for classes.

Feel free to contact us with any questions we may be able to answer. We love to hear from you.

Rob Dowie
President & CEO

Following his undergraduate studies as a business management major and graduate work as an MPA at LSU, Rob went on to found SELA Aquatics. Rob previously served on the Board of Directors for the Southeast Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross from 2005 through 2009.

In recent years, Rob has assisted with quality assurance investigations for the American Red Cross, served as an Instructor Training Educator on their national staff, as well as traveled around the country as an examiner with the Red Cross Aquatic Examiner Service (AES). Rob is also an active NAUI SCUBA Instructor, NSPF (CPO) Instructor, and member of the Association of Aquatics Professionals (AOAP).

Alex Effinger
Sr. Vice President & Director of Training

Alex has served SELA in the past as a facility and regional manager and now oversees the selection and training of all Lifeguard Instructors, coordinates all certification courses, and administers the in-service program and lifeguard audits in all regions. An Indiana native and LSU graduate, Alex serves to consistently improve the quality of SELA's training programs and is tasked with increasing lifeguard preparedness in the context of our management and training programs.

Robyn Barthel
VP and Director of Human Resources

As part of the SELA Aquatics team since 2011, Robyn oversees a variety of areas for the company, including seasonal hiring, operation of pools in the New Orleans region, and coordination of the swim lesson program. Robyn holds a Master's degree in Public Administration from LSU. She is an active NAUI SCUBA instructor and a volunteer diver at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas.

Hunter Hawkins
Baton Rouge Regional Manager

Hunter joined the SELA team as a lifeguard in 2018. He quickly excelled within the company, becoming a Lifeguard Instructor, CPO, and pool manager in his second season. Hunter was promoted to Baton Rouge Manager in 2020, where his duties include overseeing BR lifeguard operations, the region’s Certified Pool Operators, and assisting in the facilitation of SELA’s Leadership and Instructor Training program. Hunter holds a degree in Finance from LSU in Baton Rouge.

Christopher Lousteau
Director of Pool Operations

Since beginning his aquatics career in 2004, Christopher has served as a lifeguard instructor, water safety instructor, and pool manager. He is a Certified Pool Operator who oversees maintenance and chemical needs for pools in the New Orleans area and beyond. Christopher received his Bachelor's Degree in Behavioral Science from University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2012 and currently resides in Kenner, LA.

Dawn Robert
Administrator and Executive Asst.

Before joining SELA in 2013, Dawn previously served as an aquatics director and swim coach in Gonzales, LA. Dawn currently oversees the swim lesson programs in Baton Rouge and Lafayette. Additionally, Dawn provides support in a variety of areas, including seasonal hiring, event planning, and more.

Christian Bautista
Software & Development Lead

A native of New Orleans and a graduate of both Louisiana State University and Harvard University, Christian currently works as the software development lead at SELA Aquatics. After receiving degrees in education, music, and psychology from Louisiana State University and a graduate degree in leadership from Harvard, Bautista has since worked in a nonprofit founder, a policy analyst for the United Nations and UNESCO, and an education research consultant.