Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/701202
CEnter ice Q&A with a rink professional 54 / JULY.AUGUST.2016 RINKMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOS: COURTESY OF BARBARA BOGNER // How did you get into the industry? I started as a field maintenance tech for the recreation center when a position opened up for maintenance in the pools and ice rink. I had pool experience and I was told that if I could drive a snowplow, I could drive an ice resurfacer. I worked my way into managing the pools and ice rink and now I am the assistant director for both the aquatics and ice rink division at the recreation center. // If there's a speed of sound and a speed of light, is there a speed of smell? You betcha! I can smell a hockey bag a mile away—nasty, just nasty. I have cases of air sanitizer and air freshener in my office. People think I am crazy, but if one of my automatic spritzers isn't working, I know, oh boy do I know. // What's the best part about your job? Water. I've got it frozen and I've got it in liquid form. A great day is when the ice is frozen and the pools are crystal clear. And the students, players, figure skaters and of course my employees are my favorite part. They keep me young at heart and my eyes wide open. // This year was your first year instructing at NARCE. What was that like? At first it was extremely intimidating and I was feeling very anxious, but once I got there I felt much more comfortable. I love to teach, I love to learn and, to me, every time I teach, I learn something new. These are my peers; I want to help them help themselves. I want our industry and all of us as individuals to always strive to be bet- ter. I loved it and I want to do more. // Favorite part about being at NARCE? You're coming back, right? My favorite part is seeing everyone together in one place again and meeting new people who are just starting out in the industry. It's like the movie "Same Time, Next Year." I like just being with other geek heads that go crazy over a little thing called ice. I enjoy hearing about trips, issues, successes and the gen- eral overall feeling of making it through another year. Yes, if everything aligns properly, I will see you again—same time, same place, next year. // What's the worst excuse you have heard from employees calling in sick? Any excuse is a bad excuse. The dog, the girlfriend, the boyfriend, the roommate, the car, the bike, the bus driver, my alarm clock—I've heard them all. The worst was, "I laid my phone face down and the alarm doesn't work when it is face down." Seriously? You know I tried it that night, and mine worked and I got in on time... // What kitchen utensil best describes your work ethic? A spatula. It's a tool with a broad, flat, flexible blade used to mix, spread, cut, chop and lift material. I flip, pat, check and otherwise make sure the pancakes do not burn. You might not be sitting at the table, but I will have everything ready when you do. // Any mentors you would like to acknowledge or mention? My old swim coaches, Dale Leonhart and Jack Wackwitz. They taught me to visual- ize, set goals and practice with those goals in mind. Anna Johnson, she was my first boss on campus. She straightened me out and told me to pull my head out… I wouldn't be here today if she didn't believe in me and give me the opportunity to prove what I could do. Best of all, she still calls me 'slacker' whenever I see her. Jeff Fischer is a great mentor, pushing me to step out of my comfort zone. My dad. He always told me "Don't lie," "Be the best you can be," and "Don't ever, ever forget that there is always someone watching you." J Barbara Bogner PROFILE Name: Barbara Bogner Facility: Student Recreation Center and Ice Arena on the campus of the University of Colorado Boulder Years in the Industry: 7 STAR Designation: CIRM STAR Courses Taken: 1. SIRO, 2007 – Denver, Colo. 2. BR, 2009 – Council Bluffs, Iowa 3. IMPT, 2010 – Schofield, Wis. 4. IMEO, 2011 – San Jose, Calif. 5. PMP, 2014 – Columbus, Ohio 6. ORM, 2014 – Littleton, Colo. 7. HRM, 2015 – Columbus, Ohio 8. CIT Review, 2015 – Columbus, Ohio CIRM | Boulder, Colo.