Credentials

• M.A. Leisure Studies, The University of Iowa, 1994
• B.S. Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services, Mankato State University, 1991

Primary Courses Taught

• Research Methods
• Program Planning
• Commercial Recreation
• History & Philosophy

Certifications

• Certified Festival and Event Management (FEM), training for successful community festivals and events
• Youth Intervention Certification – the art and science of youth work
• Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota – elements of effective practice for mentoring youth
• Certification to coach high school and intercollegiate sports

Professional Experience

• 25 years planning, implementing, evaluating programs, services, and events for communities
• 20 years managing, hiring, training, evaluating, setting expectations for full-time, part-time, and seasonal staff
• 13 years developing brand strategies, marketing, communication, and promotion plans to engage community
• 10 years facility operation assisting in capital improvement and equipment replacement plans
• 10 years’ operating a recreation center and managing the park grounds
• 20 years owning & operating an event planning and consulting business

Workshop Topics

• Sponsorships, more than money
• Mobile Recreation – Rec on The Go
• Event Planning & Evaluation
• Student Networking, Prepare for the Future
• Marketing, Branding, & Evaluating Programs, Services, and Events

Research Interests

• Event Management, Marketing & Evaluating
• Trends in Program Planning
• RPLS Curriculum Informed by the Recreation Professional
• Internship/Practicum Developing an Audit for Student and Organization

Research

• Master's Thesis: Gender Differences in the Perception of the Youth Soccer Experience, 1994
• Business Plan: Edinburgh USA Golf Course, 2012
• Theory of Change: A recreation center and its best practice around the Youth Violence Prevention Initiative (YVPI)