Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/621102
54 / JANUARY.FEBRUARY.2016 RINKMAGAZINE.COM CEnter ice Q&A with a rink professional PHOTOS: COURTESY OF STAR // How did you get into the rink industry? My journey into the ice rink industry was one I didn't see when I started college. While working part-time for the local city recreation department, and going to school as a sports management student, I needed to satisfy an internship requirement prior to graduation. Searching for an internship, I stumbled across an opportunity to work as the operations lead for the SAP Open, which was owned by the parent company of the San Jose Sharks. One year turned into four and I cut my teeth in professional ATP Tennis, doing anything I could to learn the sports industry. After graduation, I sold tickets for the San Jose Earthquakes, the local MLS soccer franchise. Halfway through the season we learned that the franchise was relocating and I got on the job hunt! My supervisor from the tennis tournament gave me a good rec- ommendation for a business manager posi- tion available at Sharks Ice at Fremont, and so began my career in the ice rink business. // If given complete freedom to start fresh, what profession would you choose and why? If I could start fresh, I'd say I would become a P.E. teacher and coach. Growing up I played a variety of sports, so staying closely involved with youth sports—and summers off—would be awesome. // Best tip or trick learned from a STAR course (and who should we thank for sharing)? The best tip I learned from a STAR course came from the IMPT course. The instruc- tor's explanation of ice paint pigments was crystal clear. He explained that paint pigments on ice are the same as quarters sitting perfectly flat on a tabletop. The more optimal the ice painting conditions, the flatter the pigments lay on the ice slab, which in turn provides great coverage on your coat of white paint. The reverse is also true; less than perfect ice conditions cause paint pigments to stand up, creating a very poor coating of white paint. // What do you think will be the next big energy trend within ice rink facilities? The next big trend in ice rink facilities will be LED lighting. While I've seen fuel cells and more efficient refrigeration systems in the market, these require large capital investments, which will slow the growth into our industry. LED technology contin- ues to evolve, and once proven light fixtures are available in community arena environ- ments, I believe they will quickly take off in our industry due to efficiency, light output and longevity of LED segments. // You can change one thing in your facility with no regard to finances, where do you spend the money? For us without a doubt it would be on addi- tional ice rinks. In San Jose, we currently have four sheets of ice and we could use six tomorrow. A close second would be an expanded kitchen in our sports bar where we are basically cooking out of a closet. // Pick one hockey marking to remove from the rulebook and justify removing it. If you asked me this prior to taking IMPT, I'd say the referee crease. I had no clue why it was there, but now it makes total sense. // Why are hockey pucks black in color? Great color contrast against the white ice? // I am a new skate guard in the ice industry and aspire to begin a long career in the rink business, provide one piece of advice that will stick with me. Work hard, show up on time, provide great service to customers and co-workers and exceed expectations! // Time to provide a shout-out to any mentors that have helped you along the way. I want to give thanks to Jon Gustafson, vice president of Sharks Ice, for hiring me and giving me the opportunity to work in this industry. This local California kid had no clue what an ice rink was prior to being hired. Also, Paul Albert, our lead ice technician and ice resurfacer master. Paul has taught me every tip, trick and pointer (going in his handbook someday!). Finally, thanks to all the great staff that works for Sharks Ice. Without them we couldn't operate our great facility at such an exceptional level. J Richard Rocha CIRM San Jose, Calif. PROFILE Sharks Ice Years in the Industry: 10 STAR Courses Taken: 1. PMP: 2006—Chicago 2. ORM: 2008—Chicago 3. BR: 2008—San Jose 4. IMPT: 2014—Las Vegas 5. HRM: 2015—Columbus 6. IMEO: 2015—San Jose