By James Windell
When the South Haven City Council voted to move forward to create a lifeguard program that would begin by Memorial Day, 2026, it was clear that in order to actually have lifeguards on duty this summer a Chief Lifeguard would have to be hired.
In a press release that went out from the City on March 10, 2026, it was announced that a Beach Safety Manager/Chief Lifeguard was hired.
David Figueredo, who has seven years of open water lifeguarding experience along Lake Michigan in Evanston, Illinois, will officially begin his employment with the City on Monday, April 6. He will be responsible for developing a lifeguard program on South Haven’s beaches – the first time in 20 years that lifeguards will patrol a South Haven beach.
“I was excited when David accepted the position,” says South Haven Police Chief Adam DeBoer. “I think his experience at Evanston as a lifeguard, lifeguard trainer, and lifeguard supervisor will be important for the restart of South Haven’s Program.”
As a Beach Lifeguard, Figueredo educated patrons on water safety rules and performed proactive surveillance of open water and shoreline areas. As a Beach Lifeguard Manager, he led lifeguards through numerous live emergency responses, delivered structured in-service trainings, and was awarded the Evanston Lifeguard Service “Manager of the Year” in 2015.
From 2017 until 2019, he served as a Lakefront Supervisor, overseeing five municipal beaches and 90 seasonal lifeguards. He developed and updated training materials, policies and procedures, and led the rookie and returning guard training programs.
Figueredo earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Carthage College, and he recently worked as an Associate in Investor Communications at Golub Capital in Chicago, Illinois. In that role, he managed complex relationships and executed process improvements, technology enhancements, and fund launches.
“Although I stepped away from water safety to pursue a year-round corporate career, my passion for water safety never left,” Figueredo is quoted as saying. “I am eager to bring both open water expertise and a high standard of professionalism to this role.”
“Since his interview and his selection,” DeBoer says, “David and I have had several conversations. It is very apparent to me he has a passion for lifeguarding and helping people. I think he and I will work extremely well together and will bring a reputable program back to the beaches of South Haven.”
