Events

6:00-6:10  

INTRODUCTION

Join Recreation Management Program Director, Daniel Widuch, and REC Club President, Matt Colwell, as we kick off the night. 

6:10-6:25  

REC Club 

Here from the sponsors and organizers of this event, UWL REC Club. Meet the officers and hear what REC Club is all about.

Enjoy a brief introduction from our Rec Club Officers as they share a little about themselves and what rec club is all about.

President: Matthew Colwell -- I am currently a senior and am majoring in Recreation Management with an emphasis in Community Recreation. I am from the Twin Cities area and transferred to UWL for it’s Accredited Recreation Management program.

Treasurer: Amelia Mitchell --

Secretary: Jack Nelson -- I am a junior here at UWL and I am majoring in Recreation Management with an outdoor emphasis. I am from Stoughton, WI near Madison. My favorite leisure and recreation activities include, hiking, disc golf, the outdoors in general and ultimate frisbee (I am the captain of the men’s team here).

Social Coordinator: Marianna Malin -- I am a junior here at UWL and majoring in Recreation Management with an Outdoor Emphasis. I am from Stoughton, WI which is a small town just outside Madison. Some of my favorite recreation activities are hiking, camping, and playing ultimate frisbee.

President-Elect: Justin Ruhberg -- I am currently a senior at UWL majoring in Recreation Management. I grew up in St. Charles, MN. In my free time I enjoy hunting, fishing, and playing sports

6:25-6:30

DISMISSAL TO BREAK OUT ROOMS

Find your way to one of our first breakout sessions. Use the links to join any session at any time.

6:30-7:15

LA CROSSE AREA TOURISM & EVENT MANAGEMENT Panel

A.J. Frels

Andrew Nussbaum

Elizabeth Poh

Nancy Flottmeyer

A.J. Frels: Executive Director of the La Crosse County Convention and Visitors Bureau

Andrew Nussbaum: Andrew joined the Wisconsin Department of Tourism in 2012, after having spent his entire professional career in hospitality, marketing, and tourism. As Regional Tourism Specialist he serves as the outreach liaison to all tourism promotion and development entities in Southwest Wisconsin.

Elizabeth Poh: I graduated from the Recreation Management program in 2013, after graduation I started working in non-profit, recreation, tourism and events. Currently, I’m the Sales and Event Coordinator at the La Crosse Center where I work with different groups locally, from Wisconsin, Mid-West and Nationally to help plan conferences, conventions, tradeshows, banquets and weddings.

Nancy Flottmeyer: Nancy is a wedding and event planner. After working as a creative and brand director at a local marketing agency, she followed her passion for weddings and  founded Wedding by Nancy 19 years ago. 12 years ago she added corporate events to the mix with WBN Event Group. She also publishes The Wedding Magazine Coulee Region and is currently planning its 17th annual issue. She is a mother of three and a La Crosse native.

6:30-7:15

OUTDOOR RECREATION Panel

Andrea Frisch 

Mary Bisch

Maggie Braun

Andrea Frisch: My name is Andrea Frisch and I am the Conservation Program Manager for WisCorps in La Crosse. I am a CTRS and I have my Master’s Degree in Recreation Management from UWL. I have experience in conservation corps, outdoor adaptive sports, adventure camps, and camps for people with disabilities.

Mary Bisch: My name is Mary Bisch and I am the Conservation Warden in Outagamie County. I attended UW-Madison where I completed my bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Ecology with a certificate in Environmental Studies. Before getting hired with the DNR, I worked in Spokane, WA as an Animal Protection Officer to gain law enforcement experience. I have been a warden since 2018 and worked in Sauk County before my current station.

Maggie Braun: Maggie Braun directs WeHaKee Camp for Girls. She also directed Catholic Youth Camp in Minnesota. Previously she was Chief Operating Officer for River Valley Girl Scout Council in Minnesota. She has been active in the American Camp Association as an Accreditation Visitor and member of the ACA National Board of Directors and chair of the Board Development Committee. She has an MBA and is adjunct faculty at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse and Viterbo University.

6:30-7:15

NETWORKING & PERSONAL BRANDING

Presentation by Anthony Iracki

Anthony Iracki: Anthony is a purpose-driven park and recreation professional from Milwaukee Wisconsin. Having worked in the field since the age of 16 he is passionate about community engagement, innovative programming, and equity in parks and recreation. Alongside his commitment to his community, he is active in the growth and development of park and recreation professionals and agencies through volunteer work, network leadership positions, speaking engagements, podcasting, and authoring articles related to the field.

6:30-7:15

WHAT A RECREATION PROGRAMMER DOES

Cristine Reid

Marissa Berg

Mindy Vinje

Martha Hutchinson

Cristine Reid-Madison School & Community Recreation Community Programs Supervisor

Marissa Berg-Madison School & Community Recreation Asst. Recreation Programmer

Mindy Vinje-Madison School & Community Recreation Adult Fitness Specialist

Martha Hutchinson-Madison School & Community Recreation Youth Arts & Enrichment Specialist

6:30-7:15

FILLING IN THE BLANKS: INTERVIEW SKILLS, RESUMES AND COVER LETTERS

Presentation by John McDonald

John McDonald: Greetings! My name is John McDonald, Recreation Supervisor for the City of De Pere Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Department. In the 6 years I have been in the profession I have worked in non-profit and municipal sectors. Lastly, I am a UW-La Crosse alum and look forward to aiding in your educational pursuits and more importantly foster networking opportunities.

7:15-7:30

15 MINUTE BREAK

Take a short break before the next session begins.

7:30- 8:15

COMMUNITY RECREATION Panel

Daniel Wick

Carl Klubertanz

Kandice Newton

Ryan Pawlisch

Daniel Wick: Been in the field for over 20 years. Currently the Director of Parks and Recreation with the City of Onalaska.

Carl Klubertanz: Carl Klubertanz, Director of Facilities at the La Crose Area Family YMCA. Currently a graduate student at UWL in Recreation Management. Longtime supporter of the UWL Recreation Management program and currently provide a supporting role in everything recreation at the YMCA.

Kandice Newton: My name is Kandice Newton, and I am a professional in the field of community recreation. I am the Recreation Supervisor at Oakbrook Terrace Park District where I supervise and manage the Early Learning Program, Remote Learning Program, Summer Camps, Cultural Arts, Active Adults Programs and Trips, and Special Events. I graduated from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in May of 2020 with a degree in Recreation Management and community emphasis. During my time at UW-LAX I was the President of REC Club, as well as the Student Representative for WPRA's Young Professional Network.

Ryan Pawlisch: My name is Ryan Pawlisch and I work as the Recreation Superintendent for the City of Sparta Parks and Recreation Department. I studied Recreation Management at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse, did my internship at Sheboygan Community Recreation and then was hired with the City of Sparta. My work at the City of Sparta includes supervision of a full time Recreation Specialist who oversees youth sports and then directly oversee adult sports, tournaments and the Sparta Family Aquatic Center.

7:30- 8:15

CAMPUS RECREATION Panel

Ali Tackett

AJ Heil

Kristine Patterson

Ali Tackett: I am the Competitive Sports Coordinator for UWL Rec Sports and I directly oversee the intramural sports and sport club programs, as well as lead two committees for our student staff. There are many areas within campus recreation to choose from, including fitness, outdoor recreation, facility management, sport programs, and special events. Campus rec is a fantastic career if you would like to be involved in student development and provide opportunities for college students to recreate.

AJ Heil: AJ is currently serving as the Director of Campus Recreation at George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon. For the four years prior, AJ has worked as the outdoor pursuits program director at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he managed all aspects of a comprehensive outdoor recreation program for a student body of more than 25,000. He also gained experience in the field as a recreation specialist and employment coordinator (2015-16) for the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s Department of Recreational Sports. AJ also taught as an associate lecturer at UW-La Crosse (2015-16) on recreation theory and practices while he managed the university’s outdoor recreation program as a graduate assistant (2014-15). He earned both a master’s degree (2015) and bachelor’s degree (2014) in recreation management from UW-La Crosse, as well as a certificate in adventure education.

Kristine Patterson: [she/her]. I graduated from UW-Stout in 1992 with my undergraduate degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management (now called Hospitality and Tourism) and am currently pursuing my Masters from UW-La Crosse in Recreation Management for the Professional (anticipated graduation May 2021). Currently, I am the Director of Campus Recreation at UW-Superior where I oversee the daily operations and programs of the Marcovich Wellness Center, Wessman Arena, and outdoor fields. I have a passion for student development through Campus Recreation participation! I have had the great honor to work with thousands of students in either the student employee role or the participant role (often both) and it is continues to be the BEST part of the job. My personal passions include golfing, hiking, and walking my dogs!

7:30- 8:15

THERAPEUTIC RECREATION Panel

Nicole Freeman

Michelle Robers

Lisa Savarese

Nicole Freeman: Aquatic & Fitness Specialist at Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute in Golden Valley, MN. I have been a specialist for 6 years and work a wide variety of populations in our warm water therapy pool and adapted fitness center. I received my undergraduate degree from UW-Eau Claire in Kinesiology and then went on to receive my Masters degree in Therapeutic Recreation from UW- La Crosse. What I have enjoyed the most about my journey is being able to work with people of all abilities and to extend their continuum of care into their wellness journey!

Michelle Robers, MS, CTRS: Michelle Robers is a Recreational Therapist at Gundersen Health System’s Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit where she works with adults and adolescents in a hospital inpatient setting. She completed her Master’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation at UWL in December 2020 and has worked in a multitude of settings including Chileda: a residential facility in La Crosse for adolescents with cognitive challenges and extraordinary behavioral needs, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and a variety of memory care/assisted living centers.

Lisa Savarese: Lisa Savarese is a certified therapeutic recreation specialist. She is a lecturer in the department of recreation management and therapeutic recreation at UWL, and is the program director of the therapeutic recreation major. Lisa teaches a variety of therapeutic recreation courses for the program including diagnostic groups in therapeutic recreation, trends and issues in therapeutic recreation, and an elective in adapted sports. Her interests in therapeutic recreation are largely based on adapted sports and working with athletes with physical disabilities. Lisa has worked closely with the local sled hockey team, the Coulee Region Frost, for the last five years and seeks out continuing education opportunities in this area. 

7:30- 8:15

THE VALUE OF WORKING AT A SUMMER CAMP

Presentation by Maggie Braun

7:30- 8:15

TO PLAY OR NOT TO PLAY...THAT IS THE QUESTION!

Presentation by John Stutzman

Presentation: Recreation Management…Sounds like and easy A! Recreation Management major…Your joking right? Recreation Management…What can I do with that? Join a Recreation Management professional of 15 plus years, who is also a UWL Master’s student, to explore the professional opportunities available for individuals intrigued by the idea of a career delivering recreation and leisure services.

John Stutzman: John is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional who has had the opportunity to expand his professional knowledge and experience, over the past fifteen years, while serving as the Recreation Supervisor for the Minnesota cities of Golden Valley, Bloomington, and Chanhassen. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreational Sports Programming from the University of Minnesota – Duluth (UMD) and a current Recreation Management Master’s Student at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. Influenced by his experiences, John takes great priding in his work to motivate, engage, and mentor students and young professionals who are passionate about recreation and leisure services.

8:15-8:25

Closing remarks (8:20)

before networking

Come together one last time for some concluding remarks (delivered at 8:20) and to overview how networking sessions work.

8:25-9:00

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