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20/20 VISION FOR THE FUTURE IPRA SPRING CONFERENCE CEDAR RAPIDS MARCH 23-26, 2020

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  • 20/20 VISION FOR THE FUTURE

    IPRA SPRING CONFERENCE

    CEDAR RAPIDS MARCH 23-26, 2020

  • Welcome Iowa Parks and Recreation Association delegates, to the City of Cedar Rapids. We are proud to be your host, and hope that you have a wonderful time exploring the wonderful sights in and around our city.

    Known as the “City of Five Seasons,” our fifth season represents time. With the amenities of a big city minus the big-city hassles, Cedar Rapids offers more time to enjoy. I hope you are able to take some time to explore a few of the many attractions in our great city while you are here.

    We have so much to offer, from the historic and the classic, to the brand new and the re-imagined. Experience our culture with a visit to the Paramount Theatre, Theatre Cedar Rapids, Grant Wood’s studio, the Museum of Art, the National Czech and Slovak Museum, and the historic Czech Village and New Bohemia neighborhoods. You won’t want to miss our award winning downtown library, vibrant amphitheater, and remodeled City Hall.

    We hope your visit will highlight why the National Civic League named Cedar Rapids a 2014 All-America City. We are honored to host you here in Cedar Rapids and invite you to make plans to visit us again.

    CEDAR RAPIDS WELCOMES YOU

    CHECK IN NEW MEMBER, FIRST CONFERENCE & YPN NETWORK

    DoubleTree by HiltonHallway outside Conference RoomsTuesday & Wednesday: 7:30 AMDelegate/Presenter Gift sponsored by Outdoor Recreation Products

    Pick up your name badge along with conference materials when you arrive. Your name badge serves as entry to all congerence functions, including social functions.

    Delegates will receive a printed copy of the tri-fold brochure at the registration table. Program guides will remain online for delegates to review.

    DEPARTMENT BROCHURE EXCHANGEPlease feel free to bring no more than 15 copies of your department brochure to share with other conference attendees.

    DoubleTree by HiltonLobby outside Conference RoomsTuesday: 8:15 - 8:45 AM

    Is it your first time at the conference? Join us for the Tuesday morning networking session for new members, first time conference attendees, and young professionals.

    Register online: http://www.iapra.org/education/conference.htm

    DoubleTree by HiltonCedar Rapids Convention Complex 350 First Avenue NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 319-731-4444 Rates: $124/night + tax Room Block: Iowa Parks & Recreation Association Cut-Off Date: March 2, 2020, or when sold out.

    REGISTRATION

    ACCOMMODATIONS

    Mayor Brad Hart

  • Thursday, March 26Wednesday, March 25

    2020 CONFERENCE AT A GLANCEMonday, March 23

    7:30 AM Conference Check In8:15 - 8:45 AM New Member, First Conference, and YPN Network9:00 AM - 2:15 PM Educational Sessions11:30 - 1:00 PM Lunch & Keynote Address2:30 - 3:00 PM Rapid Fire Sessions3:00 - 6:00 PM Exhibit Hall6:00 - 7:00 PM YPN Social7:00 - 9:30 PM Tuesday Night Social

    Tuesday, March 24

    7:30 AM Conference Check In8:15 AM - 8:45 AM Rapid Fire Sessions8:15 AM - 4:30 PM Educational Sessions11:30 - 1:00 PM Lunch6:00 - 6:30 PM Bids & Beers6:30 - 8:30 PM Best of the Best Banquet9:00 - 11:00 PM Post Banquet Social

    2:00 - 5:00 PM Microbrewery Bike Outing6:00 - 8:00 PM Monday Night Social8:30 PM Late, Late Night Social

    7:30 AM Conference Check In8:30 - 11:00 AM Aquatic CEU Workshop9:00 - 11:15 AM Educational Sessions

    MONDAY BIKE OUTING & SOCIALSMicrobrewery Bike Outing2:00 - 5:00 p.m.Starting at DoubleTree by HiltonMeet in front of the DoubleTree by Hilton at 2:00 p.m. for a 15-mile bike tour on the Cedar Valley Trail with three stops along the way. The fourth, and final stop, will be Iowa Brewing Company for the social. If you are interested in participating, e-mail [email protected].

    Monday Night Social sponsored by Shade Creations by Waterloo6:00 - 8:00 p.m.Iowa Brewing Company, 708 3rd Street SEJoin us for a pizza party at Iowa Brewing Company. In honor of our social, Iowa Brewing Company is creating a special brew, just for us! And, to top it off, Monday is all-day happy hour at Iowa Brewing Company, so all Iowa Brewing beers on tap are half price!

    Late, Late Night Social sponsored by Pool Tech8:30 p.m.350 First LoungeDoubleTree by Hilton

    Tuesday & Wednesday Registrationsponsored by R.J. Thomas, Pilot Rock

    Thursday Registrationsponsored by Snyder & Associates

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    10:00 - 10:15 AM Session Breaksponsored by Boland Recreation

    11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Lunch/Keynotesponsored by Burbach Aquatics & Landscape Structures

    #2 Ten Minutes to Leadership GrowthLocation: Taft B CEU 0.1 Presenter: Margaret B. Smithsponsored by Landscape Structures

    An introduction and personal prioritization of ten leadership characteristics that inspire and motivate others to do their very best. Through the use of a simple tool find the one or two attributes that, when focused on, could move the needle on your effectiveness as a leader. This interactive and easy to follow workshop will leave you with what you need to implement a plan immediately.

    #4 Model Codes, Crypto and Drowning Prevention UpdateLocation: Taft A CEU 0.1Presenter: John Kelly

    This session provides an update on the status of Iowa rules revisions, and status and adoptions of the model codes (MAHC, ISPSC), review of crypto data and response recommendations, and update on drowning data and drowning prevention week activities

    #5 The Unbusy LeaderLocation: Taft B CEU 0.1Presenter: James Mayhew

    People truly want to do their best: high quality work that exceeds expectations, while leaving a positive and lasting impact on others. But there’s one thing that will keep you and your team from achieving your best: busyness. Being overly busy leads to feeling hurried, rushed, and falling behind on important work. This hard-hitting presentation is designed for anyone who leads others or is being considered for leadership roles. Board members, Directors, Assistant Directors and Supervisors should attend. Note: This presentation uses a live poll for everyone in the room to participate in. Participants will respond to questions using their mobile devices and create discussion around them.

    #8 The Art of Giving & Receiving FeedbackLocation: Taft A CEU 0.1Presenter: James Mayhew

    After this interactive presentation you will know: Why Feedback is at the heart of any high performing organization, Why we view feedback through our own experiences, How past experiences with feedback strongly influence how we give it, How feedback helps you grow and differentiates you from being an average, or a great leader, Three simple but powerful strategies to help you be a good receiver of feedback, Four highly effective tactics for giving feedback to your team, colleagues and even your supervisor.

    #7 Change the Game - Take Back the Youth Sports NarrativeLocation: Taft B CEU 0.1Presenter: Nate Baldwin

    Due to an intense focus on results rather than healthy development in the modern youth sports landscape, participation has experienced double digit declines since 2008, while nearly 70% of all kids age 14 and up have quit organized sports entirely. Why? Because instead of serving the needs of kids, youth sports often cater to the desires and egos of adults. Parks and Recreation departments have a unique opportunity to give youth sports back to kids, through a commitment to a set of core values that healthy children need, and healthy families crave.

    #1 You Can’t Be Everywhere!Location: Taft A CEU 0.1 Presenter: Carolyn Hamilton

    This Train the Trainer session addresses the reality that you can’t be everywhere all of the time. Learn how to assure your policies, procedures and philosophies are applied consistently throughout your multi-site operation by developing key staff to train and supervise on your behalf.

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    TUESDAY CONCURRENT SESSIONS

    10:00 - 10:15 AM Session Breaksponsored by Boland Recreation

    #3 LGBTQ 101Location: Exhibit Hall C CEU 0.1 Presenter: Lori Ampey

    This session will focus on providing tools to help make programs inclusive for LGBTQ youth.

    #6 The Royal Rumble Tour: Parks & Rec Staff Working Together to Make Events HappenLocation: Meet at Hotel Lobby CEU 0.1Presenter: Chad Peterson & Angie Cole

    Parks and Recreation are teaming up to find a way to program and maintain high-use parks. This session focuses on the types of programs that are suitable for the two types of parks as well as maintenance within those parks. Learn how Parks and Recreation work together to make the programming and ambiance at these parks an enjoyable experience for all.

    Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

    LUNCH & KEYNOTE

    #9 Understanding Playground SafetyLocation: Exhibit Hall C CEU 0.1 Presenter: Jerry Kirk & Todd Odeen

    Maintain a safe and fun experience for children in our parks. This session will cover basic safety requirements and inspection techniques to maintain a safe and fun experience for children at our Parks.

    DoubleTree by HiltonExhibit Hall B11:30 AM - 1:00 PMsponsored by Burbach Aquatics

    Join us for this year’s keynote presenter, Margaret B. Smith. The meal will be a delicious buffet. If you have allergies or need special food options, please contact Steven Jordison, CEO, at 515-291-4917, no later than March 15, 2020.

    Keynote Address: CouragePresenter: Margaret B. Smithsponsored by Landscape Structures

    Courage plays a significant role in leading and managing ourselves, programs, the organization and special projects. We will uncover its importance, when it is most demonstrated and what holds us back. Each participant will be given the opportunity to self evaluate what element of courage would make the biggest difference to them in their role and be given tips for using their innate courage to move forward, calmly and effectively.

    CEU 0.05

    11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Lunch/Keynotesponsored by Burbach Aquatics & Landscape Structures

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    3:00 - 6:00 PM Exhibit Hallsponsored by Musco Sports Lighting

    Exhibit Hall Socialsponsored by RDG Planning and Design

    #10 Communication and Connecting for Maximum ImpactLocation: Taft A CEU 0.05 Presenter: Margaret B. Smithsponsored by Landscape Structures

    Using fun and interesting tools from Insights Discovery we will identify our personality/communication styles and gain a basic level of understanding others, from those similar to us and those that are our opposites. An introduction to do’s and don’ts, and strategies for adapting and connecting more effectively. This results in positive outcomes both personally and professionally .

    #11 IPERS & Your RetirementLocation: Taft B CEU 0.05 Presenter: Steve Grimes & John Nelson

    This session will review some of the variety of things to be aware of as you plan for your retirement. This could be appropriate for both younger and older professionals. We will look at some of the different decisions you will face down the road and how some of your decisions today can impact your financial future.

    TUESDAY YPN SOCIAL

    2:15 - 2:30 PM Session Breaksponsored by Boland Recreation

    sponsored by JEO Consulting

    Quarter Barrel616 2nd Avenue SE6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

    If you’re 35 years or younger, join us for this networking session with other young professionals. Quarter Barrel is a craft brewery with 24 draught beers (half brewed in house) and over 30 Classic Video Arcade Games and 8 Pinball Machines (25¢-$1). A full menu is available and they are best known for their pizza.

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    #12 Reaching Youth with the Rollin’ RecmobileLocation: Exhibit Hall C CEU 0.05 Presenter: Angie Cole

    The Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department is offering ways to bridge the transportation barriers for children by bringing the fun to them. The mobile recreation program will bring a van to neighborhood parks to offer free summer activities to boys and girls with a goal to keep kids active, exploring reading, learning fellowship and providing community resources. We are also taking Recreation into the parks by offering free programs and lunches. Hear about our new endeavors to reach underserved youth in our community.

    TUESDAY SOCIAL

    2:15 - 2:30 PM Session Breaksponsored by Boland Recreation

    sponsored by Carrico Aquatic Resources

    Rock Bar American Grill219 2nd Avenue SE7:00 - 9:30 p.m.

    Join us for a night of BULL (shooting AND riding!) This will be a great time to “shoot the bull” with your colleagues as well as ride the mechanical bull for FREE during our event. Appetizers, beer, wine and soda will begin at 7:45 p.m.

    Hope to see you there!

    3:00 - 6:00 PM Exhibit Hallsponsored by Musco Sports Lighting

    Exhibit Hall Socialsponsored by RDG Planning and Design

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    8:45 - 9:00 AM Session Breaksponsored by Kay Park

    10:00 - 10:15 AM Session Breaksponsored by Shive Hattery

    #13 Park Ambassador Pilot ProgramLocation: Taft A CEU 0.05 Presenter: Emily Zimmon

    This session will discuss the Ambassador Pilot Program, which was a community effort to create a more inviting, safer downtown area. The Ambassdor Program, directly managed by Willis Dady Homeless Services, included five formerly homeless individuals who were hired to provide lived-experience, peer support to individuals and families in downtown Cedar Rapids. Ambassadors were responsible for building relationships with those in need, identifying potential conflicts prior to a larger issue arising, reminding people of rules, picking up trash and recycling, and creating a welcoming environment for everyone.

    #14 CPRP - The Achievement Worth It!Location: Taft B CEU 0.05 Presenter: Kate Connell & Jerry Kirk

    Is budgeting, studying, and sitting for the testing of the Certified Parks and Recreation Professional certification a worthwhile career milestone to work towards? If you’ve weighed the value of pursuing your CPRP or are wondering if it would be a benefit for your career, current position, or municipality, join us to learn the benefits of certification (and the areas the testing covers), the value of working towards your CPRP and CPRE, and understand tangible ways the certification can relate back to your position in programming, management, or maintenance.

    #16 Launching CR’s First Bike Share SystemLocation: Taft A CEU 0.1 Presenter: Bill Micheel & Sylvia Brueckert

    This 60-minute session will include a presentation outlining the process and primary considerations of determining the feasibility, and the implementation, of the micro-mobility sharing system in Cedar Rapids. The primary session take-away will be a number of benchmarks and considerations to assist attendees in starting to think about whether or not a micro-mobility sharing system may be right for their community.

    #19 Buying In: Developing Culture & Managing Conflict in Youth SportsLocation: Taft A CEU 0.1 Presenter: Nate Baldwin

    In this session, we will discuss the importance of facilitating buy-in amongst all youth sports stakeholders (parents, coaches, officials, staff), and how the existence of a vibrant, positive culture helps a program navigate the inevitable conflicts and differences of opinions that can arise over the course of a season.

    #20 Stormwater Management Opportunities: Public/Private PartnershipLocation: Taft B CEU 0.1 Presenter: Cara Matteson

    An overview will be given of the City of Cedar Rapids’ Stormwater Program and approaches the City is taking in managing stormwater. The City has a multi-prong holistic approach to stormwater management that includes policy, partnership, capital improvements, funding, incentive programs, and watershed efforts. The triple bottom line (economic, environmental, and social) has been identified as a critical component to stormwater sustainability as well as partnership across departments and private entities.

    #17 More Than an InserviceLocation: Taft B CEU 0.1 Presenter: Katherine Connell

    Aquatics staff training is beyond a monthly in-service requirement. Learn to take a layered approach to training. Use your creativity to come up with the ‘what’ instead of the ‘how’ by completing a training needs assessment and building your own customized Hierarchy of Staff Training. Discover ways to replicate yourself in the overall structure of training so that your team learns predominately from passive, group, peer and environmental ways of coaching and learning. Gone are the days of focusing primarily on energy (and time!) heavy one-on-one trainings or reverting back to monthly lifeguard in-services being the sole source of information delivered to staff.

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    WEDNESDAY CONCURRENT SESSIONS

    8:45 - 9:00 AM Session Breaksponsored by Kay Park

    10:00 - 10:15 AM Session Breaksponsored by Shive Hattery

    LUNCH

    #18 Step Into Your StrengthsLocation: Exhibit Hall C CEU 0.2 Presenter: Arica Ohloff

    You cannot become anything you want, but you can become a lot more of who you already are. You are unique. You are powerful. You are 1 in 33 million. Stop trying to be who you are not. Start focusing on your talents and building on who you already are and you will experience a more fulfilling life at work and at home. Using the Gallup StrengthsFinder 2.0 Assessment, you will be guided through an overview of what makes you great. Gain self-awareness and insight into how you uniquely think, feel and behave and how different it may be from others you work with. Shatter labels, improve your relationships and elevate productivity for your team and organization. (continued below)

    Step Into Your Strengths (Continued)Location: Exhibit Hall C Presenter: Arica Ohloff

    Check out https://store.gallup.com/h/en-us to purchase the Starter Top 5 if you’d like to know your top five strengths before attending this workshop.

    Participants MUST attend the full two-hour session to receive any CEUs.

    DoubleTree by HiltonExhibit Hall B11:30 AM - 1:00 PMsponsored by Pool Tech

    Today’s lunch features a delicious buffet. Cedar Rapids Mayor Brad Hart and Conference Chair Scott Hock will join us as we acknowledge this year’s leadership institute recipients, strategic plan update, and more.

    If you have allergies or need special food options, please contact Steven Jordison, CEO, at 515-291-4917, no later than March 15, 2020.

    #15 Creating Programs to Engage Older AdultsLocation: Exhibit Hall C CEU 0.05 Presenter: Emily Edrington

    Within just a couple decades, older people are projected to outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history. This session will share strategies for designing recreation programs that engage older adults and create opportunities to stay active, curious, and connected across the lifespan. We will discuss ways to use park spaces and community buildings, leverage volunteers and community partnerships, involve older adults in program planning, and tap into aging resources to provide diverse programming for older adults close to their neighborhoods.

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    3:15 - 3:30 PM Session Breaksponsored by MSA Professional Services

    #22 Active Threat AwarenessLocation: Taft A CEU 0.1 Presenter: Lieutenant Charlie Fields

    Lieutenant Fields will discuss data from the 2019 U.S. Secret Service Mass Attacks in Public Spaces. Learn what actions you can take when confronted with an active threat situation and how you can prepare yourself for a law enforcement response to an active threat event.

    #23 HR & Safety for Parks & Rec Location: Exhibit Hall C CEU 0.2 Presenter: Dean Shade & Lisa Mart

    Dean will provide tips and best practices for ensuring employees are working in a safe environment. Lisa will provide education to supervisors and managers on human resources topics that encompass hiring to firing, and a lot in between. Lisa and Dean will want attendees to leave with tools on how to best manage their employees.

    (continued below)

    #24 Scoring Big with New Sports EventsLocation: Taft A CEU 0.1 Presenter: Mary Lee Malmberg

    Regardless of your city’s size you can bring new sports events to your area. Whether you have open fields, wide roads or modern sports venues, they can be used to host a sports event and generate income for your department and community. Learn how to attract larger events in this step-by-step session.

    HR & Safety for Parks & Rec (Continued)Location: Exhibit Hall CPresenter: Dean Shade & Lisa Mart

    Participants MUST attend the full two-hour session to receive any CEUs.

    #21 Off-Site Educational Tour: The Complete Park Tour Location: Meet at Hotel Lobby CEU 0.25 Tour Guides: Brent Neighbor, Steve Krug, Bill KirkPresenters: Megan Lopata, Tyler Dougherty, Lori Farmer, Daniel Gibbins

    Join us as we explore the wide variety of parks within Cedar Rapids. Discussion will include programming and maintenance within these diverse areas. Tours will include Old MacDonald’s Farm (a farm located within city limits), the City’s first all-inclusive playground, Noelridge Greenhouse, and the nature playscape at Wickiup Hill Nature Center. Amenities at other parks will be pointed out as we travel to each location.

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    BEST OF THE BESTBANQUET

    WEDNESDAY SOCIALS

    BIDS & BEERS

    sponsored by Boland Recreation

    DoubleTree by HiltonExhibit Hall B6:30 - 8:30 PM

    We take note of the many accomplishments and milestones of both our professional members as those who support our vision and mission. The meal will be a delicious buffet. If you have allergies or need special food options, please contact Steven Jordison, CEO, at 515-291-4917. This should be done no later than March 15, 2020.

    sponsored by Acco Unlimited

    DoubleTree by HiltonExhibit Hall B6:00 - 6:30 PM

    Join us for this live auction. IPRA donates the proceeds for scholarships, education, and training programs.

    POST BANQUET SOCIAL

    sponsored by Acco Unlimited

    Bud Light LoungeDoubleTree by Hilton9:00 - 11:00 PM

    Relax with colleagues after IPRA’s “Oscars” with beverages and lively entertainment sponsored by Acco Unlimited.

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    10:00 - 10:15 AM Session Breaksponsored by Fry & Associates

    #25 Aquatics CEU WorkshopLocation: Exhibit Hall C CEU 0.25 Presenter: David Peters

    This is an approved course as required by the Iowa Department of Public Health Pool and Spa Code requiring 10 hours of CEU credit in five years. Presentation features the 75 pool – how this number can improve operations and save money, making controllers work for you, new technology, updates to the CDC Model Aquatic Health Code, and summer 2019 hot button issues. Certificates to be given at the session conclusion. Additional fee for conference delegates is $40 with non-delegates $125 IPRA members/$155 non-IPRA members.

    #28 CR Parks & Recreation: Breaking Barriers with ADALocation: Taft A CEU 0.1 Presenter: Brent Schlotfeldt & Jeff Koffron

    This presentation will review the work that has been done in the pubic parks, facilites and sites for the city of Cedar Rapids in relation to ocmpliance wiht the American with Disabilites Act. We will demonstrate where we started, where we are at and where we are going to attain full compliacne for all differently-abled citizens.

    #27 Sports Officials & Programmers Working TogetherLocation: Taft B CEU 0.1 Presenter: Todd Ambrosy & Terry Turner

    Bringing Administration/Programmers/Officials and Coaches onto the same playing field, we’ll cover the need to find a way to make our youth programs fun and exciting for the players and the umpires. Find out how to improve official/coach relationships, how to help officials relate to players, hiring and training referees and resources for your officials, as well as what makes a referee successful and wanting to come back.

    #26 Construction Protections & Tree Mitigation during New DevelopmentLocation: Taft A CEU 0.1 Presenter: Mindy Charron

    This session provides techniques and information on protective measures for large trees before, during and after construction.

    #29 Haven’t Caught Any Keepers? Stocking the Pond for Great Intern CatchesLocation: Taft B CEU 0.1 Presenter: Anna Jensen & Mia Richter

    This session will explore the optimal internship structure to attract a qualified, diverse and motivated applicant pool. Once you have the posting, we will cover where to post it and/or promote it. Finally, the session will cover best practices to get the most mileage from your program to make it sustainable year afteryear.

  • PRESENTER BIOSKEYNOTE SPEAKER

    Margaret B. SmithMargaret B. Smith is a career coach, educator, speaker, author and the founder of UXL. Her clients share a desire to develop leadership and management skills, learn how to achieve their goals and help others grow. She taps into her extensive business experience as she addresses contemporary workplace challenges. Her passion for guiding her clients towards reaching their full potential and deliver results for their organization is what drives her.

    Margaret is vice chair of Women’s Business Bridge, a program for entrepreneurs in the St Croix Valley sponsored by the Stillwater, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, was cited as a Business Woman of the Year in her community and nominated for the Woman in Business award by the Minneapolis St Paul Business Journal.

    Todd Ambrosy Todd has been around youth sports for almost 25 years, as a coach, high school and youth umpire/referee, PST board member, umpire/referee scheduler and officials recruiter. Be ready for Todd to tap you on the shoulder and ask if you are interested in becoming an umpire or referee - we need [email protected]

    Lori Ampey Lori Ampey is the Jen Rowray PFIAG President and the Director of the LGBTQ Youth Center as well as the Director of Programming and Outreach for the Boys and Girls Club where she has been employed for 20 years. She has two daughters and four grandsons and is currently engaged to her partner of 16 years. She has dedicated her life to mentoring youth and making sure that all kids are treated fairly, no matter their skin color. Lori recently received the African American Museum’s honor of a History Maker for 2019. [email protected], 319-777-8068

    Nate Baldwin Nate Baldwin has been a Recreation Programmer for the City of Appleton, Wisconsin, since 2014 and has helped lead the revitalization of the department’s youth sports program. Through the development and delivery of a program vision centered on core values of the Inclusion, Skill Development, Balance and Lifelong Enjoyment of sports, the APRD youth sports programs have grown by an astonishing 75 percent since 2014, extending the physical, emotional, and educational benefits of sports to 1600+ additional local children and reversing an extended period of participation decline that mirrored national trends. This work culminated in recognition as an inaugural Aspen Institute of Project Play Champion organization in 2018.

    Prior to joining APRD and committing his energy to youth sports, Nate created and managed an adult social sports business in Denver, Colorado, called Western Alternative Sports Association, which in ten years elevated from startup to one of the largest independent recreation providers in the state. Nate co-hosts monthly segments on WHBY radio in Appleton, discussing local and national youth sports topics, and his work has been featured nationally by John O’Sullivan’s “Change the Game Project” and “Way of Champions Podcast” in 2018, the Discovery Channel’s “Wreckreation Nation” in 2009, and the Sports Business Journal in 2008. [email protected]

    Sylvia Bruekert Sylvia Brueckert started her Urban Planning career with the City of Cedar Rapids in 2018 and was the lead staff member for the analysis and implementation of the Cedar Rapids Bike Share [email protected]

    Mindy Charron Mindy has been an ISA Certified Arborist since 2008, Board Certified Master Arborist since 2015, and ISA Tree Risk Assessment qualified. She has been in the green industry since 2000, specializing in plant health care and has extensive experience in the field diagnosing and remediation of tree health [email protected]

  • PRESENTER BIOSAngie Cole CPRP Angie Cole has served as the Recreation Superintendent for Cedar Rapids for nearly seven years. She has previously held the role of IPRA President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Board Member. She is currently the President of the Iowa Parks and Recreation Foundation. Years ago she received the New Professional Award through IPRA and is a past recipient of the Slattery/Trueblood Professional Award. Angie currently oversees many facets of Recreation including aquatics, sports, NW Rec Center, Usher’s Ferry Village and Lodge, Old McDonald’s Farm, McGrath Amphitheatre programming contract, Special Populations and more. Recently she has been able to develop more with her passion for parks and recreation by emphasizing added programming for underserved youth. Angie enjoys spending time traveling, enjoying outdoor concerts and raising three teenagers. [email protected]

    Katherine Connell CPRP, AFO, CPO Kate Connell is the Aquatics Program Supervisor in Iowa City. She has worked in the aquatics field for 15+ years sharing her passion for safety and leadership through staff management, development, and training. Kate is an advocate for equity in recreational water use and has assisted in providing free and reduced swimming lessons, safety education, and accessible pool events to the diverse Iowa City community. Kate leads trainings and conscious conversation on equitable aquatics, demystifying staff training, and human-ness through leadership. Kate also has experience in private recreation as a small business owner and yoga teacher. Through The Art of Teaching Private Yoga, she has coached thousands of yoga business owners all over the world and published a guidebook under the same name. She spends her recreational time with her husband Matt and son, Anderson. [email protected]

    Tyler Dougherty Tyler Dougherty has been with Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation for ten years. He is the Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Maintenance Supervisor for the NE quadrant. He went to college for Natural Resources Management, he plants and maintains the native prairies throughout the city.

    Emily Edrington Emily Edrington is the Community Outreach Specialist at the Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center (a division of the City of Iowa City). Her program areas include intergenerational activities, technology literacy, health care planning, volunteer opportunities, and community engagement. [email protected]

    Lori Farmer Lori began her career as a seasonal worker at Noelridge Greenhouse in 1992 while attending Kirkwood Community College working towards an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Parks and Natural Resources. She became a full time employee for the City of Cedar Rapids at Noelridge in March of 1994. Lori has helped beautify Cedar Rapids for 27 years and enjoys working with the people and plants that help get that done. As of January, she is the Greenhouse Lead and works with volunteers, and other employees to sow, grow, plant and maintain the flowers all around Cedar Rapids.

    Charlie Fields Special Operations Lieutenant CRPD Charlie Fields is an experienced Lieutenant with a demonstrated history of working in the government administration industry. Skilled in Law Enforcement, Emergency Management, Disaster Response, Field Training, and Military Weapons Handling. Strong military and protective services professional with a Bachelor’s of Science focused in Law Enforcement Administration from Western Illinois University. [email protected]. 319-286-5481

    Daniel Gibbins Serving Linn County as Conservation Deputy Director since 2018, Daniel Gibbins graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a B.S. in Forest Resource Management and has spent the last 20 years enjoying his work in agro-forestry research, arboriculture, and parks and natural resource management. In addition to a passion for parks and conservation, Daniel enjoys collaborating with partners to foster advocacy for our natural ecosystems through educational and recreational interaction with nature.

    Steve Grimes Steve Grimes was the Director of the Bettendorf Parks and Recreation for 25 years and has been retired and drawing his IPERS pension for the last 2 years. He will help relate what IPERS can mean to you down the road and how vital a role it can play. John Nelson is a Certified Financial Planner with Nelson Corp Wealth Management. He works with a wide variety of clients and his firm manages nearly 500 million dollars in assets. [email protected]

  • PRESENTER BIOSCarolyn Hamilton Carolyn has served as the Aquatics Supervisor for the City of Cedar Rapids for the past 30 years. She is currently the chair of IPRA Aquatics Committee and as a past recipient of the Slattery/Trueblood Professional Award, sits on the IPRA Awards Committee. A native of Seattle, Washington, she is comfortable around water whether it falls from the sky or pools in a hole in the ground. Six aquatic facilities under her guidance round out a work life full of successes, challenges and opportunities for continuing process improvement. [email protected], 319-286-5737

    Anna Jensen Anna Jensen joined the faculty on Sport and Recreation Management at the University of Iowa in 2015. In her role there, she helps prepare students for careers through directed, guided and targeted application of coursework in experiential learning environments. Anna approaches challenges from a positive, collaborative perspective and is eager to partner with your department! [email protected], 937-286-9933

    John Kelly John Kelly has served as the licensed professional engineer in the Environmental Health Services Bureau for the Iowa Department of Public Health since 2010. He provides engineering support to the Plumbing and Me-chanical Systems Board and the Swimming Pool and Spa Program. He graduated from Iowa State University in 1990 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He has experience as a consulting engineer and as a project engineer with a design build contractor before he began working for the State of Iowa. [email protected]

    Jerry Kirk CPRP, CPO, CPSI Jerry Kirk has been in the Parks and Recreation field for 14 plus years and in the maintenance field all of his life. He is the Recreation Maintenance Manager for the City of Cedar Rapids Parks Department. He manages a team of five full-time maintenance and five seasonals that oversee the operations of two aquatic facilities, three neighborhood pools, one indoor pool as well as the Veterans Tennis Center [12 courts] and the new Northwest Recreation Facility. His team also maintains and inspects the 53 playgrounds in the Cedar Rapids parks system. Jerry lives in Letts where he has served as Mayor for 23 years, a volunteer Fire Fighter, and on many boards and commissions. [email protected], 319-899-7588

    Jeff Koffron ADAC Jeff is the Facilities Maintenance Supervisor for the City of Cedar Rapids. He specializes in construction projects for ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Construction Management and CIP Projects (Capital Improvement Projects). He oversees the upgrades for ADA compliance for all of the City of Cedar Rapids facilities, sites and parks and manages the process of ADA compliance upgrading from the concept and design phase through construction completion, inspection and auditing for certification. He also oversees the efforts of our ADA Specialist as well as a crew of seven Senior Facilities Maintenance Workers spanning three shifts that maintain and continuously update our City facilities. [email protected]

    Megan Lopata Megan Lopata is the Animal Exhibit Coordinator in Cedar Rapids. She has worked in the animal industry her whole life and has worked for Parks and Rec the past four years. Megan is an advocate for the agricultural industry and has assisted the City of Cedar Rapids in providing a free, educational and fun petting zoo for the diverse community. Megan graduated from Iowa State University with Bachelor Degrees in Animal Science and Business. She also has minors in pre-veterinary medicine and equine management. When she isn’t working, Megan spends her time mostly outdoors with her family (husband Justin and two kids, Carson and Melanie) and her animals. [email protected]

    Mary Lee Malmberg CSEE Mary Lee Malmberg is the Director of Sports Tourism with the Cedar Rapids Tourism Office. She has been selling the community of Cedar Rapids to state, regional and national sports organizations for 31 years. She has volunteered on the Cedar Rapids Parks, Waterways and Recreation Commission since 2000. Mary Lee was the recipient of the 2017 Game Changer Award presented by the National Association of Sports Commissions (now know as Sports ETA) and served on the organization’s Board of Directors and Member Mentoring Committee. [email protected], 319-731-4556

    Lisa A. Mart Lisa A. Mart works as the human resources specialist for ILOC/IMWCA. Lisa was the Human Resources Director at Palo Alto County Health System for over seven years before relocating to Central Iowa where she worked a number of years in the private sector before coming to IMWCA. [email protected], 515-350-3362

  • PRESENTER BIOSCara Matteson Cara Matteson has a lifelong pursuit of integrating water quality and conservation efforts into her daily life. She is fortunate to be able to blur the lines of work and pursuing her passions. She has over 15 years professional experience in a variety of water quality fields ranging from groundwater consulting, surface water evaluation, and regulation. She has been enjoying working for the City of Cedar Rapids as Stormwater Coordinator for the past 4 years. [email protected]

    James Mayhew James Mayhew is a leadership coach, trainer and consultant working primarily with small business, non- profits and Christian ministries to build thriving values-based cultures. James believes that the best leaders are great activators of talent, passion and skill, and he is passionate about helping them become the leader they want to be, the leader their team deserves, and the leader their organization needs them to be. [email protected]

    Bill Micheel Bill Micheel has served as the Assistant Director of Community Development and Planning for the City of Cedar Rapids since 2015 and the Manager of the Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization since December of 2016. [email protected], 319-286-5045

    John Nelson John Nelson is a Certified Financial Planner with Nelson Corp Wealth Management. He works with a wide variety of clients and his firm manages nearly 500 million dollars in assets.

    Todd Odeen CPOTodd Odeen is a Recreation Maintenance Worker II for the City of Cedar Rapids. He has worked for the City for 24 years and is a Certified Pool Operator, a backflow technician, and has a type 4 refrigerant license. He conducts the regular safety inspections and general maintenance of playgrounds and workstations and helps with the day-to-day swimming pool maintenance.I

    Arica Ohloff Arica has been living out her calling as a Business and Leadership Coach & Speaker for the last eight years. She is living out her mission to inspire others to live more fulfilling lives and is passionate about develop-ing others into more confident and productive versions of themselves while empowering them to maximize their potential. Arica lives in North Liberty with her son. She loves to spend time outside, participate in sports related activities, read leadership books and travel with her family when she isn’t working. [email protected], 319-331-7225

    David Peters Pool & Hot Tub Alliance national awarded instructor

    Chad Peterson Chad is the Parks & Recreation Maintenance Supervisor for the City of Cedar Rapids. He oversees the down-town parks, a few parks outside of the downtown area, and Tait Cummins Softball Complex. He has been with the City for about 10 years. He specializes in turf maintenance. He has a wife of 7 years, two daughters 10 and 8, and a son 2 1/2. He enjoys golfing and spending time with his family. [email protected]

    Mia RichterMia teaches with the Sports and Recreation Management program at the University of Iowa. She specializes in student health and well-being, with a parallel passion for engaging students in the art and craft of writing. When not working with students in the classroom, you can find Mia outside enjoying one of Iowa’s many fabulous recreation activities. She’s excited to work with you today! [email protected]

  • PRESENTER BIOSBrent Schlotfeldt CEMBrent is the Facilities Maintenance Manager for the City of Cedar Rapids. He leads a team of 25 talented individuals that maintain and improve City-owned facilities. He was part of the initial process of Project Civic Access when the Department of Justice came to Cedar Rapids and has been part of the ADA compliance process since the DOJ visit, working with City Leadership as solutions were developed. His role is the budget and construction projects for City Facilities and Parks, to gain compliance, in association with our ADA coordinator. [email protected]

    Dean ShadeDean Schade is the loss Control Manager with IMWCA. Dean has been with the Iowa League of Cities for 30 years. He is a former city administrator and past President of the Iowa, South Dakota and Nebraska PRIMA chapter.

    Terry TurnerTerry was a production manager/buyer in the textile screen printing business for 37 years, retiring in 2014. He began his basketball officiating career in 1982 to present. Some of his officiating highlights include: working in (3) 4A high school and several men’s small college conferences, attending NBA camps and working the NBA summer league in Los Angeles, and the International Pro-Am National Tournament Championship game in Miami. By 1995, Terry began working Big Ten, Missouri Valley and Mid-Continent Women’s Conferences.Throughout Terry’s 37 years he has stayed connected to officiating and mentoring youth leagues and tournaments. Currently he is a member of the CRAOA and officiates non-varsity games and mentors new officials. [email protected]

    Emily Zimmon Emily began her career at Willis Dady Homeless Services in 2015, after spending 3 years teaching in Mexico. In 2018, she transitioned from the Homeless Prevention and Street Outreach Case Manager to the Support Services Director at Willis Dady, where she manages the Homeless Prevention, Street Outreach, and Employment Programs. She helped develop and managed the Ambassador Program in 2019. Emily is a true believer in Willis Dady’s vision to empower clients to break the cycle of homelessness and become self-sufficient. [email protected], 319-362-7555

    Bill KirkBill Kirk is Parks & Recreation Maintenance Supervisor for the City of Cedar Rapids, and is stationed at Bever Park where he oversees the SE Quadrant. He has been with the City for 2.5 years. For the last 25 years, he was well versed in commercial construction, tree work, landscaping, public works, and parks and recreation. He has a passion for building and maintenance and enjoys seeing everyone in the parks with their families. He has two sons and a newborn daughter.

    Steve Krug RLA, CPSISteve has been with the City of Cedar Rapids for 24 years and had been the Landscape Architect for the Parks & Recreation Department for 19 years. He is a registered professional landscape architect in the State of Iowa and holds a CPSI certification as well. Steve is in charge of the Capital Improvement Projects for the department as well as other design, development and construction projects. He coordinates projects within the department, with outside departments, and oversees consultant and contractor services for the department.

    Brent Neighbor Brent Neighbor, Parks Superintendent for the City of Cedar Rapids has been with the City for six years with the first four years as Parks Maintenance Supervisor. Before working with the City Brent held positions with the University of New Mexico as Associate AD for Athletic Fields and Grounds and Project Superintendent with Mountain West GolfScapes. Brent graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Studies after a four-year enlistment in the United States Air Force as a KC-10 Crew Chief.

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