Our team comprises experienced professionals who donate their time to this important initiative.

Ms. Ali Joy is the Sponsor of Float Don’t Fight, a campaign to drive awareness on how to survive a rip current. After losing her husband Father’s Day weekend of 2018, when he saved their twin girls from a rip current in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, Ali is spreading the message on how she and her daughters survived.

Her mission is to transform how people enjoy the beach. If you 1) Bring a float to the beach; 2) Grab a float before you run in; and/or 3) Be a float if you don’t have one, you will survive.

Ali Joy was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia.  She graduated from Norfolk Academy and William and Mary and currently lives in Ashland, Virginia with her son, Charlie (10), and her daughters Mary (8) and Ryland (8).

John Gaidies is an Educator and Program Manager. Early in his career, John taught in the classroom internationally and instructed Teachers in technology integration throughout the US. John also served the Charleston County School District as the Program Manager for multimillion dollar classroom technology implementations and custom software development. John is now dedicating his time to the Float Don’t Fight initiative, wearing many hats from PM to Graphic Designer and Website Developer.

An avid outdoor enthusiast, John enjoys spending time with his family visiting the beach, camping, hiking, sailing and fishing. Originally from Norfolk, VA, John is a graduate of Norfolk Academy and William and Mary, and lives in Charleston, SC.