Development Team

A volunteer team comprised of business professionals, attorneys, CPAs, master swimmers, and Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist Kathleen Baker, is working together regularly to develop the WAC. The WAC has broad community support with thousands of local residents signing a petition in support of the WAC in recent years.

Chip Hicks

The development team is led by Chip Hicks, founder and President of Nurses Choice Corporation, who is spearheading the planning and development of the Wilmington Aquatic Center (WAC). Chip has a proven track record of successful community projects, including development of the Olsen Farm Soccer Fields, Olsen Park, nCino Soccer Park, Hampstead Kiwanis Park, and the Eaton Soccer Fields. In 1996, he was named the Wrightsville Beach PTA Volunteer of the Year and to this day, continues to be a tireless volunteer to the Wilmington area.

Kathleen Baker

Kathleen Baker, now a Wrightsville Beach resident, is an Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist and former world record holder in the 100-meter backstroke. Originally from Winston Salem, North Carolina, she had to relocate to Charlotte as a teenager due to the lack of local swimming facilities that could support her elite training. In addition to her Olympic success, she has set multiple American records and earned several World Championship medals, including golds in the 4×100-meter medley relay. Kathleen was inducted into the NC Swimming Hall of Fame in 2024.

CELIA WOLFF – President, Hawk Masters Swim Association (“HMSA”); Vice-Chair & Coaches Chair, NC Masters Swimming; USMS Level 4 Swim Coach, USMS Kerry O’Brien Coaches Award, 2021; US Masters World Relay Record Holder & All-American Relay Record Holder

LAURA BYRD – Vice-President, HSMA, Retired Engineer from the Food & Drug Administration, Habitat for Humanity and Community in Schools Volunteer, US Masters All-American Relay Record Holder

STAN BULLOCK, CPA – Extensive Experience representing Non-Profit organizations; Developed Soccer Fields and Recreation Parks in the Wilmington area

ALAN E. TOLL, ESQ. – Member, NC Swimming Hall of Fame Committee; Former Asst. Manager, International Swimming Hall of Fame pool; Head Age Group Coach, Ft. Lauderdale Swim Team; All-American Captain UNC Swim Team; Educational Foundation Award Swimmer, Most Outstanding Swimmer Senior

MARGARET HEITMAN COLLINS – Former President/Owner of Glyotech, Inc. in Leland, NC; Who’s Who in American Real Estate Brokers, 2004, with significant real estate sales and management for over 35 years; Coach of the Year for Swim Florida, 1988; Masters Swimmer National Relay Record Holder

KATHY PAWLOWSKI, ESQ. – Honors Graduate Georgetown Law, 1989; Founder & Initial Director, Mintz Domestic Violence Project; US Masters Swimmer