WAVE Aquatic Safety Appoints New Leadership Team

The company announces leadership appointments following its acquisition by ACB Safety Products International.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in People

WAVE Aquatic Safety Appoints New Leadership Team

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Norwalk-based WAVE Aquatic Safety has appointed a new leadership team to spearhead company growth. This follows the recent acquisition of the firm by ACB Safety Products International.

Why it matters

The acquisition by ACB Safety Products International provides the necessary resources to invest in product innovation and expansion. The company plans to accelerate its growth across commercial aquatic facilities, summer camps, schools, and municipalities.

The new team brings significant experience, including 30 years from CEO Chris Barton, 25 years each from Joe Petrillo and Meg McParland, and two decades from Miklos Valdez.

The players

Miklos Valdez

He is the new Business Development Manager who previously served as the Technical Review Committee Chair for the fifth edition of the Model Aquatic Health Code.

Chris Barton

He serves as the CEO of WAVE Aquatic Safety and brings 30 years of experience in technology companies to the role.

Joe Petrillo

He is the Chief Commercial Officer at WAVE Aquatic Safety and possesses 25 years of experience in the consumer electronics sector.

Meg McParland

She serves as the Director of Demand Generation and has a 25-year background in technology marketing.

ACB Safety Products International

This organization acquired WAVE Aquatic Safety to provide the resources necessary for product innovation and commercial expansion.

The details

WAVE Aquatic Safety utilizes the GUARDian wearable system and camera-based artificial intelligence through WAVE Vision to detect drowning events. The company aims to leverage these technologies as it expands its reach into the municipal and educational sectors.

Chris Barton became CEO of WAVE Aquatic Safety in 2025.
WAVE Aquatic Safety announced its new leadership team on October 28, 2026.

Market Landscape

The acquisition by ACB Safety Products International mirrors the ongoing trend of consolidation among specialized safety technology firms to achieve greater market share. This strategic move positions the company to compete more effectively against larger incumbents in the public safety sector.

Commercial aquatic facilities and local municipal operators may see an expansion of safety technology offerings in the near future. This growth is expected to provide schools and camps with improved access to drowning detection systems like the GUARDian wearable.

The takeaway

The infusion of new leadership and capital signifies a robust period of expansion for aquatic safety technology. Facilities seeking to improve their drowning prevention protocols should keep track of the company's upcoming developments in camera-based AI monitoring.