Volunteer Profile: Jay Definis

O*H*I*O Masters Swim Club member Jay Definis has been involved in USMS’s philanthropic work for years, requiring him to wear many hats.

He served as a member of USMS’s Adult-Learn-to-Swim Committee and as part of the Swimming Saves Lives Foundation before USMS folded its philanthropic efforts into the USA Swimming Foundation’s in 2021. He became the treasurer of the latter foundation in 2024 and serves on the USA Swimming Audit Committee, Investment Committee, and the Golden Goggles Auction Committee.

Definis, a USMS Level 2 coach, swam growing up, and when he decided to do a triathlon after college, he realized his swim leg didn’t hold him back. At age 32 in 1991, he completed an IRONMAN, but he decided that training for three sports was so rigorous that he’d stick with just swimming.

“It was the best decision ever,” Definis says.

SWIMMER: How did you become a USMS volunteer?

Definis: In 2012, I was asked to serve on the leadership board of the Lake Erie LMSC. I started as secretary and two years later was encouraged to run as the chair and served as the chair of Lake Erie LMSC from 2016 through 2020.

In 2014, I attended my first [USMS] annual meeting, where I was connected to the Swimming Saves Lives Foundation and the ALTS Committee. I was asked to serve on USMS’s Investment Committee.  

In 2016, I was asked to chair the SSLF and worked for four years helping raise funds to support ALTS grant programs and promote the learn-to-swim component of Masters Swimming.

In 2021, I was asked to help SSLF create a partnership with the USA Swimming Foundation. This partnership promotes and makes available opportunities to both adults and children nationwide. The administration of the grant process, the funding of grants, and the marketing and metrics of our outreach are huge benefits for Masters Swimming and fit so well with the mission of USMS.

SWIMMER: What advice would you give someone who is considering becoming a volunteer?

Definis: Engage with others. Embrace your opportunity. And remember if you give, you get back so much more!  

SWIMMER: What do you do off-deck?

Definis: I have been a wealth management advisor for Northwestern Mutual for 35 years. I enjoy gardening and playing an obscure card game called SKAT, which is the national card game of Germany. I play in a local league. This past year, we played on Team USA and finished fourth at the World Championships in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I also learned to play the piano as an adult. Seeing my eight grandchildren grow up is a blessing, and I have to thank my wife for putting up with me!  And, last but not least, anything Penn State!

SWIMMER: What’s your favorite stroke/event?

Definis: Pool: 400 and 200 IM. Open water: 1 mile and 5K.

SWIMMER: What’s your favorite post-meet meal?

Definis: Culver’s ButterBurger and a chocolate custard.

SWIMMER: What’s your fondest USMS memory?

Definis: There are a few. When I participated in a swim fundraiser relay across Lake Erie in 2016 with five amazing people and we raised $10,000 for ALTS programs. The first time I ever swam the 400 IM in a race at Long Course Nationals. Coaching my first swim practice this past March. Becoming an ALTS instructor. And hosting USMS members at the 2024 Olympic trials pool to swim in the competition pool. All the funds raised from those sessions supported ALTS programs. We raised $50,000.