Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/456721
// Tell us how you got into the industry … In 1999, when I was 16, my best friend asked me to be the goalie for an adult league team at the Ashburn Ice House. This team turned out to be the employee team, and essentially within two weeks of being on the team, I was offered a job as a skate guard. // What is the best part about working in an ice rink? At first I enjoyed being a skate guard because I was getting paid to skate in circles and hang out with friends. Then, like everyone else, I thought it was cool to drive the ice resurfacer. Then I enjoyed learning responsibilities that I felt were preparing me for a future in some great career. Now, I would say what I enjoy most is my opinion matters. // Who would you like to acknowledge for helping (mentoring) you along the way? So many. Sean Branam, Ed Lucke, Matt Daniluck, Joedy Mueller, Bart Mueller, Brian Peterson, Rob Lorenzen, Mike Ryan, Alejandra Mueller, Nancy and Jorge Kfoury, Nate Smith, Mike Patterson. // What is the best tip you have learned from any of the STAR classes you have taken? Compensation doesn't always have to come in the form of money. I requested that my title be changed from Facility Manager to Facility Director after Ben Ruggles pointed out that a simple title change can improve your standing. I do feel that my current title commands more respect than the previous title. // How do you feel ongoing professional development is helping you and your career? These classes combined with all my experience have helped take me to the next step. I feel like I am prepared for the worst and at the same time excited for new challenges. // Tell us about your nickname and alter ego … Cartman from South Park. I have always been "big boned," and when I was a teen- ager, South Park was new, so it was funny to call the fat kid Cartman. I was also a loud, outspoken know-it-all and that didn't really help. // What's the worst excuse you have heard from employees calling in sick? This one guy continued to call in sick, but he started recycling all of the same excuses that he used on the previous boss. If I remember correctly I think he had three grandfathers die in about two years. // What was the best thing about NARCE 2014 in Columbus? Are you going back? It wasn't Detroit. Aside from that, the horse race. Some readers may remember The Deuce is Loose, aka 2 the Extreme, aka 2 Legit 2 Quit. Yeah, that was me (and Stas Kukulka, Mike Patterson and a few others). You can bet I will be back (and hopefully owning a horse) as long as I am allowed to. How would you explain Latent Heat of Fusion to a 6-year-old? We turn water (liquid) into ice (solid) by putting it into the freezer and removing all the heat. We in turn change ice (solid) to water (liquid) by adding heat to it, such as fire. J 36 / JANUARY.FEBRUARY.2015 RINKMAGAZINE.COM CEnter ice Q&A with a rink professional David Kennedy Reston, Virginia PROFILE Facility: SkateQuest Current Position: Facility Director Number of Years in the Industry: 15 STAR Courses Attended: BR, IMEO, IMPT, ORM, HRM, PMP STAR Professional Designations: CIRM