KEY PEOPLE
The Executive Board
The foundation, development, and operations of Love Blue Inc. are facilitated through young leaders. The Executive Board, Chapter Presidents, & Appointed Officials uphold the mission of conserving our oceans through community outreach & beach cleanups.
AJ CARUSO
CEO/President
Love Blue is more than just beach cleanups, it’s a movement. Growing up on the coast has provided me with solid awareness of our eco-systemic problems that our oceans have to endure. I realized the problem at a early age. I noticed that even though many summer visitors enjoyed the beach life, few to none respect or care for their impact on litter on the local beach communities. So I was inspired by other eco-based cleaning organizations to establish the doors of Love Blue. As a community based movement, we strive to work together to help make sustainable practices mainstream. By implementing these practices, we will futuristically develop a stable environment for our communities and beaches.
Phone Number: (609) 972 1586
Email: ajcaruso@loveblueinc.org
Socials: @ajcarusoo
CARLIE COOPER
Internal Vice President
I first joined Love Blue as a volunteer and was inspired instantly by the organization. Being from Ohio, this was the first time I saw my community come together to help protect our oceans and with the help of Aj’s leadership, I quickly fell into a role on the team. Being a marine science major, the message that Love Blue stands for means a lot to me, and I love doing my part to spread awareness on the ocean pollution crisis. As Internal Vice President and President of our Coastal Chapter, I aim to inspire people through hosting cleanups, marketing, executive projects, social media accounts, school clubs and more. I hope to get as many people involved in our mission as we can and continue to spread the Blue Movement across the coast!
Coastal Carolina University: Marine Science
Phone Number: (330) 704-5721
Email: carliecooper@loveblueinc.org
Instagram: @carlie.cooper
NICK OLSON
External Vice President
Growing up as a South Jersey native, I fell in love with spending my summers at the Jersey shore. My love for the ocean has been strong for as long as I can remember. Gaining the opportunity to move to Atlantic County, NJ to pursue higher education at Stockton University allowed me to develop a deeper passion and understanding of the ocean that was now in my backyard. In my first year at Stockton University, I met key people of Love Blue Inc. and started going to beach cleanups. It wasn't long until I realized this organization was something I wanted to be a part of. AJ Caruso and Sean Lavendar gave me the opportunity to take over the Stockton Chapter after Sean graduated; the rest was history.
I strive on a daily basis to bring awareness to the pollution crisis in our oceans and push the #BlueMovement.
(609) 568-4992
Instagram: @nickolson__
EXECUTIVE CHAIR POSITIONS
Head of Operations
BEN SMITH
Graphic Designer
Seeing the pollution on the beach was a norm. After getting involved with Love Blue, it opened up my mind to doing my part in respecting the Earth & all its natural beauty.
Ben Tripp Smith
Email: trippsmithh@gmail.com
bentrippsmith.com
Illistrator
COASTAL CAROLINA UNIVERSITY CHAPTER
Myrtle Beach, SC
Join our Coastal Carolina University Love Blue Club! We operate in various sections in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We connect with local businesses, organizations, & individuals in the area who want to help raise awareness about ocean/beach pollution. Together we can create a more sustainable future for Myrtle Beach & it's strong marine life presence.
ECKERD COLLEGE CHAPTER
St. Petersburg, FL
CALIFORNIA DIVISION
Santa Monica, California
AJ CARUSO
CEO/Chapter Advisor
Green Team Chair Member, Former 7-year WCBP Ocean lifeguard, Borough of Wildwood Crest Partner, & Community Organizer. As Love Blue evolves, we will always keep our roots deep where it all started. I would like to continue building our community outreach & programs moving forward.
Phone Number: (609) 972 1586
Email: ajcaruso@loveblueinc.org
Socials: @ajcarusoo
FOUNDING FATHERS
Wildwood Crest Est. 2019
SEAN LAVENDER
Former Vice President
An entrepreneur by day, ice cream fanatic by night. Surfer, outdoorsmen, and adventurer. A good leader can do the right thing while others are looking but a great leader does the right thing while no one is looking. I believe in hard work and good people coming together for a greater good. That is why it is such an honor to be apart of the Love Blue. A group of like-minded and good-hearted people willing to work to protect the place we love most, for us and our future generations.
Stockton University Alumni: Environmental Scientist
Phone Number: (609)-579-9821