Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1443612
CEnter ice Q&A with a rink professional 54 / JANUARY.FEBRUARY.2022 USICERINKS.COM PHOTO: COURTESY OF TC LEWIS // How did you get your start in the industry? I was working in banking in New York and doing some coaching in youth hockey for fun. The bank consolidated our department and I was offered the oppor- tunity to move or take severance. I decid- ed it was time to do something I really liked for a career and set off on a career path in hockey. I ended up with a Hockey Director position in Houston, and then over the years added General Manager to my responsibilities. // Tell us a little bit about Aerodrome. I consider the Aerodrome Ice Skating Complex a full-service, single-sheet facil- ity and by that I mean we offer our own learn to skate programs as well as an array of figure skating and hockey programs from youth through adult. We also run our restaurant and pro shop. I have been with the Aerodrome for the entire 25 years I have been in Houston. Being on the northwest side of Houston with only a few rinks in the city, we service a rather large portion of the community. // What's the best part of your job? I love that there is always something new going on. Just when you think you have seen it all, there is something new to make you think outside the box or come up with new ways to handle things. I also love that we teach new people the joy of ice skating and the ice sports we are involved with. People want to come to the rink to learn and have fun—there are a lot of businesses that can't say that. // What's the best advice you have ever received? Well, my dad always said, "never turn down a job until you have been offered it." I love the advice and I share it with people all the time. The funny part is, I haven't been able to use it. I Iove what I do and where I do it so I don't actu- ally get to the point of a new job or even looking for one. // Switching gears to your role as President of the U.S. Ice Rink Association—what are you looking forward to in 2022? Well clearly the biggest thing I am look- ing forward to is being able to host NARCE this year after not having it the last two years. There are so many friends in the industry that we haven't seen face to face in a long time and it will be great to chat, catch up and learn what others have experienced. Same goes for the in-person classes that we have just returned to over the last few months. Online is nice but nothing beats the in-person experience. Finally, I am interested to see from others what new opportunities have developed from this pandemic. Clearly no one wanted it and it hasn't been fun but I do think some new opportunities and new ways to do things can come out of it that hope- fully can make our industry even better than before. J TC Lewis PROFILE Vice President, Marketing, USA Hockey; President, U.S. Ice Rink Association Job Titles: General Manager, Aerodrome Ice Skating Complex Years in the Industry: 25 Industry Highlights: RMD Director, Level 5 USA Hockey Coach, USA Hockey Youth Council Member, HIHOA Board Member, Houston Wild Board Member, RMD Associate Coach-in-Chief, TAHA Board Member, StarSkater Board Member Houston, Texas PEOPLE WANT TO COME TO THE RINK TO LEARN AND HAVE FUN—THERE ARE A LOT OF BUSINESSES THAT CAN'T SAY THAT.