Events

6:00-6:10  

INTRODUCTION

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

Note: The speed round session will take place via this link. You will not have to leave the introduction to attend the speed round session.

6:10-6:25  

Intro & Speed Rounds Recording

SPEED ROUNDS (3 MINUTE EACH) 4 PROFESSIONALS

Andrew Nussbaum,

Jon Evans,

Heidi Weiler,

Ali Tackett

Andrew Nussbaum - Andrew Nussbaum is a professional in the field of tourism and event management. He is the Regional Tourism Specialist for the WI Department of Tourism. Andrew joined the Department of Tourism in 2012, after having spent his entire professional career in hospitality, marketing, and tourism. His focus with companies and organizations has always been to grow their customer service effectiveness, a passion that began with his first restaurant job in 1984. 

Jon Evans - Jon Evans is a professional in the field of recreation management and therapeutic recreation. He is an exceptional associate lecturer at UW-La Crosse and an expert on topics related to environmental ethics. 

Heidi Weiler - Heidi Wieler is a professional in the field of public recreation. She is the Recreation Facilities Supervisor for Anoka County Parks. Heidi studied Recreation Management with an emphasis in Community Recreation at UW-La Crosse. 

Ali Tackett - Ali Tackett is a professional in the field of Campus Recreation and intramurals. She is currently the Coordinator of Competitive Sports at UW-La Crosse.  

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.

Use #VirtualRexpo on Instagram or Twitter to share you Expo experience for a chance to win prizes!

6:30-7:15

TOURISM Panel

Eric Snodgrass,

Brent Gasser,

Darrin Kuhnke

Eric Snodgrass - Eric Snodgrass is a professional in the field of commercial recreation. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and has a degree in Sports Management. As the Lakeshore Chinooks Assistant General Manager, Eric has been with the organization since the team launched in November 2011 and has seen it all at Kapco Park. 

Brent Gasser - Brent Gasser is a professional in the field of commercial recreation. Gasser is the second-generation owner and operator of the Yogi Bear Jellystone Park. In the last 49 years, the Gasser family and their employees have earned more than 100 campground industry awards and employed more than 1,000 international exchange students from 50 countries! The Jellystone Park in the Wisconsin Dells is also the only campground in the Waterpark Capital of the World that features 12 hours of daily planned activities and 20 consecutive theme weeks with special events. 

Darrin Kuhnke - Darin Kuhnke is a professional in the field of tourism and event management. Kuhnke currently works for the Wilderness Resort in the WI Dells as the Director of Aquatics. Some of his roles include overseeing waterpark operations, creating staff schedules, providing exceptional customer service, and he is also known as the official wildlife rescuer on Wilderness Resort property. 

6:30-7:15

 OUTDOOR Panel

Leah Hackmaster,

Maggie Braun,

AJ Heil

Leah Hackmaster - Lead is a Recreation Director at Village of Suamico. She graduated from UW – La Crosse with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Recreation Management, Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management in 2016.  

Maggie Braun - Maggie is a professional in the field of recreational camps. She has been the Director of the WeHaKee Camp for Girls since 2004 with her husband Bob Braun. Both her and husband have over 50 years of experience working with children and youth. Before arriving at WeHaKee Camp for Girls she directed a camp in northern Minnesota and has worked with Girl Scouts as a camp director, executive director, and Chief Operating Officer of the St. Croix Valley Girl Scouts in St. Paul, MN. 

AJ Heil - AJ Heil is a professional in the field of campus recreation. He is currently the director of the Outdoor Pursuits Program at UW Milwaukee which aims to enhance the quality of life for the UWM community by providing opportunities to develop and maintain healthy lifestyles, lifelong learning, leadership skills and personal success through comprehensive recreation and wellness programs in quality facilities. 

6:30-7:15

INTERNSHIP SEMINAR

John Stutzman

John Stutzman- John Stutzman is a professional in the field of community recreation. Stutzman works for the City of Golden Valley Parks and Recreation. He has received particular recognition for initiating and helping to develop the association’s Young Professional and Student Network, designed to inspire and engage members of the recreation profession under age 35 to become active members in the field, grow and maintain their professional network, and discover the benefits of professional development.

7:15-7:30

15 MINUTE BREAK, TRIVIA GAME!!!

Join us during a brief break to play trivia for a chance to win prizes!

7:30- 8:15

COMMUNITY Panel

Dan Wick,

Carl Klubertanz,

Eric Thompson 

Dan Wick - Dan Wick is a professional in the field of public recreation. He has been the director at the Onalaska Parks and Recreation since 2002. The department oversees use of park and recreation facilities by the public and provides information on the location, availability and cost of renting park facilities. The City of Onalaska, Park & Recreation Department is committed to enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of Onalaska through promotional development, maintenance of public recreation through enrichment opportunities, parklands, related facilities and the preservation of natural areas. 

Carl Klubertanz - Carl Klubertanz is a professional in the field of non-profit recreation. He is the Director of Facilities at the La Crosse Area Family YMCA.  Klubertanz has demonstrated a history of working in the health wellness and fitness industry; he is skilled in facility management, leadership, outdoor recreation, and training. He is a strong operation professional with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) focused on Recreation Management from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.   

Eric Thompson - Eric Thompson is a professional in the field of community recreation. He works for the city of St. Paul Parks and Recreation. As the Volunteer Services and Public Art Manager Thompson coordinates, recruits, trains and manages volunteers for the Recreation Services department. He initiates public art programs with local and regional artists and creates opportunities for kids to be involved as well! 

7:30- 8:15

NETWORKING/PERSONAL BRANDING

Anthony Iracki

Anthony Iracki - Anthony is a Parks and Recreation Champion, speaker, author, and podcaster. He is from the Milwaukee area and graduated from Cardinal Stritch University. He is passionate about community engagement, innovative programming, and equity. He is active in the growth and development of Park and Recreation professionals through volunteer work, network leadership positions, speaking engagements, podcasting, and authoring articles related to the recreation field.  

7:30- 8:15

CONSERVATION CORPS

Andrea Fisch

Andrea Frisch - Andrea Frisch is a professional in non-profit recreation. She works as the Conservation Program Director for the Wisconsin Conservation Corp. 

7:30- 8:15

THERAPEUTIC REC Panel

Michelle Robers,

Nicole Freeman,

Erinn Kulba

Michelle works at Gundersen and is also finishing up her master's degree in the TR program this semester. She will provide a great perspective for students looking into the career. 

Nicole is a CTRS (Recreation Therapist) working for Allina Health at Courage Kenney Rehab Center. She is a therapist in the Aquatic Therapy program. She regularly supervises our students on internship. She is an alum of UWL, earning her MS in TR. 

Erinn Kulba is a CTRS (Recreation Therapist) working for the Milwaukee VA. She is a therapist in the Inpatient and Outpatient rehab program. She regularly supervises our students on internship. She is an alum of UWL, earning her MS in TR. 

8:15-8:30

Concluding remarks & #hashtag prize giveaway

Come together one last time to overview how networking sessions work, and we'll announce the winners of our #VirtualRexpo contest!

Complete our Expo Survey!

8:30-9:00

Zachary Tomesch

District Director for the Boy Scouts of America, Gateway Area Council in La Crosse, WI.  He has worked in three councils between Iowa and Wisconsin over the last seven years.

8:30-9:00

Mary Bisch

Mary is joining us tonight on behalf of the WI Department of Natural Resources – Bureau of Law Enforcement

8:30-9:00

Richard Zierke is the owner of Pla-More Lanes.  

8:30-9:00

Michael Wrench

Michael Wrench is a professional from Milwaukee, WI. He is an Operations Manager in Franklin, WI and has worked over 26 years for the Milwaukee County Department of Parks and Recreation,  

8:30-9:00

Christine Reid

Cristine Reid is a professional in the field of community recreation. She currently works for the Madison School and Community Recreation 

8:30-9:00

Eric Hammer

Eric Hammer works with the Army Corps of Engineers and is an alum of the recreation management master's program.

8:30-9:00

Ryan Pawlisch

Ryan Pawlisch is a Recreation Superintendent at Sparta Parks and Recreation. He is a UWL alumni and is passionate about recreation from outdoor to community emphases.