Aquatics industry veteran Miklos “Mik” Valdez joins as Business Development Manager as WAVE expands access to its GUARDian wearable and WAVE Vision AI drowning detection systems.
NORWALK, CT, October 28, 2026 — WAVE Aquatic Safety, a developer of drowning detection technology for aquatic facilities, today announced its leadership team as the company enters its next phase of growth following its acquisition by ACB Safety Products International, Inc.
The team includes CEO Chris Barton, Chief Commercial Officer Joe Petrillo, Director of Demand Generation Meg McParland, and newly appointed Business Development Manager Miklos “Mik” Valdez. Together, they will lead WAVE’s efforts to expand its reach, strengthen customer relationships, and bring its drowning detection technology to more aquatic facilities and organizations.
Valdez brings nearly two decades of experience in aquatic operations, safety, and risk management. He served as Technical Review Committee Chair for the fifth edition of the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC), is a MAHC Ambassador, and is a member of the YMCA Aquatic Safety Thought Leader Coalition.
Throughout his career, Valdez has supported organizations including the U.S. Navy, YMCA of the USA, the American Red Cross, and Norwegian Cruise Line.
“Mik understands the realities aquatic operators face every day,” said Chris Barton, CEO of WAVE Aquatic Safety. “As we bring our technology to more facilities, we’re building a team that knows this industry, understands our customers and shares our commitment to preventing drowning.”
WAVE’s leadership team brings experience across technology, commercial operations, marketing, and aquatic safety to support the company’s next phase of growth.
Barton brings more than 30 years of experience building and scaling technology companies. He joined WAVE as an investor and board member before becoming CEO in 2025.
His commitment to drowning prevention is also deeply personal: he lost his young daughter in a drowning accident. The backing of ACB Safety Products provides WAVE with resources to invest in product innovation, operations, and commercial expansion.
Petrillo brings more than 25 years of consumer-electronics leadership, most notably as COO and General Manager of Onkyo USA. He has repeatedly been recruited to scale businesses and realign their organizations.
At WAVE, Petrillo leads the commercial organization, driving the company’s Hardware-as-a-Service and SaaS growth and its future consumer division.
McParland leads WAVE’s demand generation and brand strategy. She brings more than 25 years of experience in technology marketing, content, go-to-market strategy, brand development, and strategic communications.
WAVE’s technology is designed to add a layer of protection for swimmers and the lifeguards responsible for their safety. The GUARDian wearable system detects potential drowning events and alerts lifeguards in real time, while WAVE Vision uses camera-based artificial intelligence (AI) to support aquatic safety monitoring.
These technologies support lifeguards rather than replace trained staff or human judgment. With the support of ACB Safety Products and its expanded leadership team, WAVE plans to accelerate growth across commercial aquatic facilities, summer camps, schools, and municipalities.
“Our mission hasn’t changed: protecting people in and around the water by identifying and helping stop preventable drownings, while giving the people responsible for swimmer safety better tools,” Barton said.
“What has changed is our ability to move that mission forward. We have proven technology, experienced people and a clear vision for where WAVE goes next.”
WAVE Aquatic Safety develops drowning detection solutions designed to support lifeguards, aquatic operators, and organizations responsible for protecting people in and around the water. Its GUARDian wearable system and WAVE Vision camera-based technology combine innovation with practical, real-world aquatic safety applications.
WAVE Aquatic Safety is a company of ACB Safety Products International, Inc. Learn more at SaferSwimming.com.
Media Contact
Meg McParland
WAVE Aquatic Safety
mmcparland@wavedds.com