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Board Members

Board Members in attendence at the June 2009 meeting.
In attendance at the 2009 June meeting:

Standing, left to right: Terry Coleman, John Hunter, Brian Huckstadt, Cliff Morrison, Evie Kirkwood, Dan Downey, Richard Sobecki, Ted Bohman, Terry Curtis, Dan Otto, Chris Stice, Jerry Pagac, Steve Wolter.

Seated, left to right: Pete LundBorg, Steve Barker, Chris Rollins, Liz Geith, Bill Brauer, Alan Buckenmeyer.

In the fall of 2009, we caught up with several of the Board of Regents and asked them to share what they do for GLPTI, what they do professionally, and why they like to be involved in the Great Lakes Park Training Institute.


 

Bill Brauer

Before retiring in 1995 after more than 32 years of service, I was Superintendent of Physical Plant at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County in Illinois; in charge of all the maintenance functions including vehicles and equipment and in-house construction.

Since retiring I have remained involved in parks as I have been elected to the Board of Commissioners of the West Chicago Park District. I have been on the Board for 14 years and just reelected to another 6 year term. I have been actively involved in the Midwest Institute of Park Executives, having held several offices as well as president. I started the Fleet Technician (Mechanic) yearly work shop and served as co-chair for 16 years.

I attended my first GLPTI in 1965 and have attended all but three since then. I have been a presenter for a number of workshops through the years. I was appointed to the institute planning committee in 1981 representing the Illinois Park and Recreation Association’s Park and Natural Resource Section and served until I retired and was then encouraged to stay on as an at-large member.

I encouraged the formation of the Board of Regents, developed the Bylaws and the Memorandum of Agreement and was elected the first Chair. I promoted the vendor member addition to the board and they have been outstanding. I chaired my first “Gadget” workshop in 1983 and continued to chair for 11 years when Rich Sobecki took over and I have assisted him until the present. I have secured and maintained a complete collection of the Institute Proceedings (printed copies and CD’s) from 1947 to the present. I bring the collection to the Institute each year and display them on a rack during the Institute so the attendees can look through them. I continue to promote the value of and attendance to the Institute because I am sure it is the “Best” available to the park professional.

I am very appreciative to have been a part of the Board of Regents and an active attendee and participant in the Institute .The educational opportunities have been endless and the networking invaluable especially with those on the Board who are willing to give that extra effort to provide a continuing learning experience to other in the park field.

Edward J. Bohman “Ted”

I have been on the Board of Regents since 2005 as a representative of Pokagon State Park, the host site for the annual conference.

Currently, I serve as both the Property Manager of Pokagon State Park and Trine State Recreation Area, which is still under re-development. Year around my job is both challenging and rewarding. In the summer, our campground is full almost every weekend and the winter’s weekends are packed with people tobogganing. I am in charge of all operational, building maintenance, and mechanical aspects of Pokagon and oversee the building maintenance and the mechanical components of the 134 rooms Potawatomi Inn. Two years ago we acquired Trine State Recreation Area and hopefully within the next one to three years we will be ready to open the facility. Trine SRA is currently closed to the public while we continue to re-develop the property.

I have attended the conference on and off since the early 1990’s and have enjoyed every aspect of my involvement in the planning process after being asked to serve on the board in 2005. Where else can participants from throughout the Midwest get together to share new ideas and techniques that will enhance the various properties we manage? Since the early 1990’s when I attended my first conference as a college student, I have grown both educationally and professionally as a person.

Alan Buckenmeyer

I have represented the Michigan Recreation and Parks Association on the board for 21 years. In that time I have served as chair and participated in many sub-committees.

I have been with the City of Rochester Hills for 25 years and am currently the Park Operations Manager. The City has 14 parks, including a museum and environmental education center, offering a wide variety of activities and educational and cultural opportunities.

I have been attending the GLPTI for 25 years and have found it to be professionally rewarding and personally satisfying. I have enjoyed meeting many people from the Great Lakes area and seeing so many familiar faces each year.

Terry R. Coleman

Currently serving as the Institute Chairman, for the 2010 Great Lakes Park Training Institute. Hold a position on the Board of Regents as proxy for the Director of the Division of State Parks and Reservoirs, Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Serve as the North Region Manager for the Division of State Parks and Reservoirs, Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Supervise field operations on 18 park and reservoir properties managed within 16 operational units located in the northern half of the State. My position is very interesting and diverse with a good mixture of field operations, administrative responsibilities and policy development and implementation relating to the operations side of the Division.

I have attended the conference on and off since the early 1980’s and have thoroughly enjoyed my involvement after being asked to serve on the Board of Regents as proxy for the Director. The conference has always provided a wonderful opportunity for resource and recreation professionals to network, exchange ideas and offer training for conference attendees within all areas of recreation and resource management. In my opinion, the conference has dramatically enhanced conference content over the years and offers truly outstanding training opportunities for attendees. I so appreciate the seriousness with which the Board of Regents and the Eppley Staff work to offer a broad and diverse range of topics, while ever always working to diversify the conference audience. Of particular relevance are the concurrent Certificate Programs. These Certification Programs provide a wonderful opportunity for more narrow courses of study on particular topics and target a greater and more diverse audience.

Terry Ann Curtis

I have been on the Board of Regents for the Great Lakes Park Training Institute for 10 years as a vendor representative. I served as the Chair for the 2008 Institute when the Certificate program was introduced and specifically targeted to women in the parks and recreation industry. I have also served on the Awards, Social, Sponsorship, and Nominating committees.

I am currently the Vice President and CEO of Reese Recreation, a company representing several major international manufacturers of equipment for the parks and recreation industry. I manage a team of 9 sales people and 5 office staff. I started with the same company over 22 years ago after graduating from Northern Illinois University.

The first GLPTI conference I attended was in 1989 and I have attended almost every year since then. The diversity of participants and the format of the conference allow quality time to network with all levels of professionals. The resources are endless and the training sessions are interesting and valuable. I enjoy meeting and exchanging ideas with professionals I might otherwise not have quality time to interact with. The dedication of the Board members to this institution is a tribute to the importance of communication and development at all levels of our industry.

Dan Downey

I am proud to have served on the Great Lakes Park Training Institute Board of Regents as a Vendor Representative for twelve years. I am currently serving as the Sergeant of Arms during the Institute. It is my responsibility to be sure that everyone is on time for their appropriate general sessions and workshops. You will see me with my bell, roaming the halls or rousting you out of the dining hall to make sure that you are on time for your educational opportunity. I have also served as a volunteer on the Social Committee helping out as needed with the traditional Tuesday Evening Vendor Social.

In my current profession, I am President /Owner of Indiana Recreation Equipment & Design, Inc. Our company represents several manufacturers of recreational equipment servicing the Parks & Recreation industry throughout the State of Indiana. November 2009 will mark our company’s fifteenth year, servicing our Indiana Parks & Recreation customers. My career in Parks & Recreation began after receiving my degree in Park Management & Recreational Planning from Northern Michigan University in beautiful Marquette, Michigan. Prior to my current position, I worked with the U.S. Forest Service in Kalispell, Montana as a Timber Cruiser and Surveyor, the Michigan D.N.R. as a Recreation Director for one of their Y.A.C.C. programs, and as a Recreation Equipment Sales Representative covering the State of Michigan.

I most certainly enjoy and truly appreciate the opportunity to serve on the G.L.P.T.I. Board of Regents and to participate each year in the Training Institute. As a young boy, our Boy Scout troop camped each year at Pokagon State Park. My parents fell in love with the area, bought a home on beautiful Lake James and they lived there for nearly twenty years. Coming to G.L.P.T.I. each year has been like coming back home. The Institute offers a networking opportunity second to none. The general sessions, the workshops, and the opportunity to share experiences with others from around the Great Lakes Region provide a much broader perspective beyond each of our own individual statewide issues and concerns. I have learned so much from my participation at the Institute over the years and I hope that the things that I have learned have allowed me to be of better service to our Parks & Recreation customers.

Liz Geith

Serving on the board for less than one year, I am one of our newest Board of Regents. I feel GLPTI provides another avenue to share knowledge with professionals in parks and recreation. The varying backgrounds and levels of experience for all attending enhance the opportunity for conversation and ideas. In addition, new session topics and a larger attending base to the training institute is an opportunity as my board involvement with GLPTI evolves.

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. She has been working in the Parks and Recreation Department for nine years at Cleveland Metroparks. I am currently a Senior Park Manager for the North Chagrin Reservation, which is in northeast corner of the park district. I manage over 2100 acres of natural resources including paved, hiking, and bridle trails. In addition to the natural areas there is a Nature Center, a Nature Education Building, five reserved areas, an additional four picnic areas with shelters, ball diamonds, and playgrounds, a golf course clubhouse, and a historical castle. My reservation is also a mechanic hub for several reservations’ vehicles and equipment.

I am a member of both the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association and the National Recreation and Parks Association. I am a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional through the National Recreation and Parks Association.

I enjoy traveling with my husband to new adventures, as well as romping with our two Bernese Mountain dogs, which keep them active.

John Hunter

Currently serving as President Elect for the GLPTI.
On the board for three years.

My current position is the Assistant Chief of the Ohio State Parks. My position allows me the opportunity to engage in all aspects of the operations of the Ohio State Parks system. From field operations, to legislative contacts, policy formulations to long term strategic planning. The most rewarding element of my job has always been engaging with the public.

I like my involvement with the GLTI on various levels. First, it allows me the opportunity to network with recreation professionals from around the mid west on a number of various topics. I have yet to be involved in a conversation with a board member that I have not taken away some new ideas. Working with the GLPTI also allows me to keep in touch with a University outreach setting that includes administration, faculty, and students.

Evie Kirkwood

As Director of St. Joseph County Parks, in northern Indiana, I oversee operations for several parks, properties and programs. I also coordinate fundraising and friendraising for our parks.

As chair elect for the Board of Regents in 2007, I helped coordinate the first certificate program for GLPTI (Executive Leadership for Women in Parks and Recreation). As immediate past chair in 2009, I will repeat that role for the certificate program in 2010.

I enjoy being involved in GLPTI because it provides a forum for a wide range of park professionals to gather and learn from each other and keep abreast of new developments in the field. It's also a great opportunity to work with the excellent staff at the Eppley Institute at Indiana University who coordinate the program.

Pete LundBorg

I have attended GLPTI since 1992 and have been a board member for 11 years, starting in 1999. I have served as Chair, Recording Secretary a couple times, presented numerous Workshops and General Sessions and had the opportunity and fun to help out with many group programs and events over that time.

Other than for one summer season with the USFS in the State of Washington, my career has been spent with the State Parks and Recreation Division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. I started as a seasonal Park Ranger in 1967 at Ludington State Park in Ludington, moved on to William Mitchell State Park in Cadillac as an Assistant Park Manager in 1977 and then to Silver Lake State Park in 1978 where I became Park Manager in 1980.

The Michigan State Park and Recreation system is comprised of two programs: State Parks and the Boating Access Site (BAS) operation. There are seventy administered State Parks statewide, twenty Recreation Areas for the most part located near large urban population areas, five State Linear Trails (abandoned railroad corridors) and five Scenic Sites preserving unique features such as waterfalls, lighthouses and historic sites.

The Boating program administers sixteen State Harbors and helps fund fifty “Grant-in-Aid Harbors” which local communities operate. Additionally, they administer two recreational boating locks, 828 State BAS launches (in State Parks and Recreation Areas) and help fund 278 “Grant-in-Aid” community operated launches. Also, there are 196 sites that have been developed and constructed by the BAS Program that are administered by Michigan Wildlife Division and within State Forests.

I have enjoyed my years of GLPTI attendance because of the camaraderie of other professionals within the parks and recreation fields. Add to that the network of knowledgeable and expert resource contacts always present during each conference and of course the wealth of information that has been presented in and about so many diverse topics and talents.

It is a gold mine I wished I had found 40 plus years ago…

John Maehl

I am serving the first year of my first term as a regent to the GLPTI. Incidentally, this year marks the most difficult fiscal scenario that my agency has endured in four decades. Due to travel restrictions, I was unable to attend the conference as well as the planning meeting this year. Therefore, my exposure to the institute is limited to what I have read online and in my “Regents Manual.” However, I have received comments from staff in my district that have attended the conference and speak of its virtues.

My career began as a seasonal employee with Iowa Department of Natural Resources at Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area in 1995. Since then I have served in a myriad of positions in 6 state parks, and supervised two regions. In my current position as Regional Supervisor for NE Iowa, I supervise the operations of 10 State Park units including over 25 individual sites. In addition to my routine responsibilities, I am the statewide Interpretation coordinator. I also am the project manager for a new electronic capital facility needs inventory which will drive all our future capital funding requests. Finally, I am an adjunct instructor at the local community college as well.

It is an honor to serve on the board of regents and I am looking forward with great anticipation to making a contribution to the institute in the future. The financial difficulties that all of us are experiencing should increase our commitment to networking and professional collaborative organizations with which we can share coping mechanisms, best management practices, and innovative efficiencies. The GLPTI is perfectly poised to help leaders in the park industry acquire these advantages.

Cliff Morrison

I have served on the Board of Regents for the GLPTI for the past ten years. During this time, I have been involved with several committees and was the GLPTI President for the 2005 Institute. I was chosen and received The Lawson Award in 2009.

I am the Park Manager at Cascade Valley/ Gorge Metro Parks in Akron, Ohio. As a Regent, I represent OPRA and Summit County Metro Parks. I had worked for Metro Parks for thirty-two years, retired in 2006, and returned to the same position the very next day. In my position, I am responsible for all day-to-day operations of the areas I control.

I enjoy being involved with the GLPTI. It allows me to network with other professionals in the park and recreation field. The training opportunities are some of the best I have attended in my thirty-two years in this field. I have gained great knowledge from attendees at all levels in our field. I also thank all current and past Regents, Indiana University, and their staff for enriching my life by sharing their vast knowledge of this great outdoors profession.

Dan Otto

I am the representative for the Midwest Institute of Park Executives on the Board of Regents.

I am currently the Assistant Executive Director for the Schaumburg Park District, a position I have held since 2004. My current responsibilities include all maintenance within the District, including overseeing four divisions within the Park District: Parks & Planning, Buildings & Facilities, Golf Course Maintenance, and Spring Valley Nature Conservation Area. Along with overseeing the day-to-day operations of those four divisions, I am also responsible for all major construction projects within the District, which most recently included a $1.5 million renovation of the Community Recreation Center, $4.5 million renovation of Atcher Island aquatic center, and $1.7 million addition of a lap swimming pool at Schaumburg Tennis Plus.

I have worked in the field for over 30 years, starting my career in 1976 at the Highland Parks and Recreation Department in Highland, Indiana. In 1979 through 1985, I worked as Superintendent of Parks & Planning for the Rolling Meadows Park District. In 1985, I became Superintendent of Parks for the Schaumburg Park District. In 1989, I became the Superintendent of Parks & Planning for the Schaumburg Park District; and in 2004, I was promoted to Assistant Director of the Schaumburg Park District.

Over the last 30 years, I have completed hundreds of various park projects, including renovations of playgrounds, tennis courts, pathways, fencing projects. I have also developed a number of new parks starting with land acquisition in the development of those sites. I am past-President of IPRA, Parks & Natural Resource Section, and the past-President of the Midwest Institute of Park Executives. I have been a guest speaker at numerous conferences, including NRPA and IPRA, and Great Lakes Park Training Institute, speaking on various topics.

I like being involved in the GLPTI because I like giving back to my profession and helping others as they helped me when I first got started in my career.

Jerry Pagac

I am currently an “at large” member of the board, having served previously as the Indiana State Parks representative for 15 years. Over the years, I have served as president and held a number of other offices. My first attendance was in 1973 and I have only missed a couple of years since then.

I am the Executive Director of the Champaign County Forest Preserve District in Illinois. In that capacity, I have overall responsibility for the District which is governed by a five member Board of Commissioners.

The GLPTI has consistently been the most worthwhile training opportunity I have taken advantage of during my career. It uniquely serves the broad range of professionals in our field including maintenance, managers, enforcement, interpretation and administrative personnel. The conference format promotes interaction and information sharing at a very practical level that can be taken back and utilized.

Al Patterson

I am new to the board, but I am no stranger to the GLPTI. I hope to bring to the board a base of history, experience, and professionalism, with a keen eye for creativity and new ideas.

I have been a Park and Recreation Director for 21 years, 17+ of those with Hamilton County (IN) Parks and Recreation Department. As the director I am responsible for all operations of the department. I primarily handle finances, park board and elected official interaction and communications, legal issues, departmental policies, park foundation relations, and long range planning. I have an incredible staff that keeps things running smoothly on a day to day basis with little to no supervision needed, allowing me to focus on other things.

In the early years of my career, GLPTI was instrumental in my professional education and networking development. As I get back more involved in GLPTI I look forward to continuing that process and helping make sure it serves that role for many more professionals for years to come.

Richard Sobecki

I have been on the Board of Regents since 1988 as a representative of the Huron Clinton Metroparks. Because this position rotated through different Metroparks departments and parks, there were years that I was on the Board as a non-voting member. I have obtained speakers, presented at workshops, chaired workshops or sessions. Early on, I remember watching then Sheriff, Joe Rondeau from Wisconsin, as he would collect fines from time to time for people not wearing their name tags and the fun it generated. Since becoming the Sheriff, I have continued this tradition, collecting fines for a variety of reasons that are used to offset some of the Institute expenditures and creating some enjoyment in the process.

I have worked for the Huron Clinton Metropolitan Authority (Huron Clinton Metroparks) for 44 years with 38 years as a full time employee. I am currently the Southern District Park Superintendent in charge of Lower Huron, Willow, Oakwoods and Lake Erie Metropark. This position was created last December with the retirement of Kensington Park Superintendent and former Institute Board Member, Dick Shafer. I was asked to run this District during a trial period to determine if we could manage this area with one person and also be able to reduce expenditures. An all familiar theme to all businesses. This District has over 6,000 acres of land and 340 full time and part time employees in the summer months. It also has 2 regulation golf courses, a Par 3 golf course, 3 pools that include a Family Aquatic Center and a Wave Pool, 2 Interpretive Centers and close to 20 miles of paved hike/bike trails and numerous picnic areas. It also has a marina and boat launch located on Lake Erie.

I have enjoyed the Institute for the atmosphere that has created an excellent learning environment, drawing from all fields of Park and Recreational Professionals in the surrounding Great Lakes States. Participants are able to gain knowledge in areas that are not necessarily related to their daily work but will give them insight into operational details that ultimately impact what they do. The relaxed format of the Institute is an important element of this success.

Chris Stice

As a GLTPI Board of Regent, I have acted as President in 2004 and have been involved in the Finance, Awards, and Social Committees.

I am the Deputy Director for Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department, Indiana. I oversee the capital development projects and operations of our county parks facilities and events.

The involvement with GLTPI has enabled me to develop many levels of communication and networking of Park and Recreation Professionals within the Great Lakes Region. Having this large regional knowledge base for education and research has been beneficial. I thank everyone whose contributions have helped grow and continue the legacy of the Great Lakes Park Training Institute.