Rink

USICERINKS.COM MAY.JUNE.2026 / 57 Arena, which is where I first got my start in the industry. From there, I moved on to the Cottage Grove Ice Arena in Cottage Grove, Minnesota. My final and longest chapter has been at the Burnsville Ice Center in Burnsville, Minnesota, where I've spent the remain - der of my career. Each stop played an important role in shaping my experience, but I feel especially grateful to have had the opportunity to grow and finish my career in Burnsville. // What has been the most rewarding part of your position with the city? Without a doubt, one of the most reward - ing aspects of my career has been seeing major construction and renovation projects come to life at each of my stops. There's something incredibly fulfilling about tak- ing a project from concept through years of planning and finally seeing it completed. The most meaningful project, though, was the $5 million renovation of the Burnsville Ice Center in 2010. We converted the facility from a direct R22 Freon system to an indirect ammonia and glycol system—a significant upgrade. What made it espe - cially rewarding wasn't just the end result, but the five to seven years of planning that led up to it, and then watching that vision become reality. During the six months of construction, we were determined to keep our skating community intact. I was able to partner with a neighboring city to temporarily use their ice facility, ensuring our clients could continue skating without interruption. As part of that agreement, my staff took on the task of deep cleaning and repainting their entire facility, which helped keep our rental costs down for Burnsville. In the end, it truly was a win for everyone involved. We retained our customers, who didn't have to search for a new home rink, and the partner city received a financial win and their facility back in better condition than when we started. Seeing that kind of collaboration and positive outcome for all parties was incredibly rewarding. // What was the most gratifying moment in your career? There have been many rewarding moments over the years, but the most gratifying has been mentoring staff and supporting their professional growth. I've had the privilege of watching several team members develop their skills and go on to become facility or operations man - agers themselves. Seeing their success has been incredibly fulfilling. I've also taken great pride in working alongside a dedicated and experienced staff. At the Burnsville Ice Center, we currently have three employees who have been with us for more than 30 years. Being able to keep long-tenured team members motivated, valued, and actively contributing to our success has been very meaningful to me. Another highlight has been building last - ing relationships with the customers and families who have come through our doors over the years. It's especially rewarding when they return and speak so highly of the facility—often commenting on how well it's been maintained and how clean it remains, even compared to decades ago. Hearing that kind of feedback is incred - ibly meaningful because it reflects the hard work and pride our staff puts in every day. Knowing that my leadership has helped support those efforts — and ultimately enhance the experience for our custom - ers—is both affirming and deeply fulfilling. // Who were some of your mentors, and what did you learn from them that helped lead to your success and longev- ity in our industry? It really starts with my parents. They instilled in me the importance of being passionate about what you do, being dependable to your employer and coworkers, and always taking responsibil - ity for your actions. Those values stayed with me throughout my career. Within the industry, I was fortunate to learn from several outstanding mentors. Dave Black, formerly of the Woodbury Ice Arena, was a longtime colleague and, in many ways, a "sidekick" during my years with MIAMA. He emphasized the importance of always being prepared and the value of documentation—his philoso - phy was simple: document, document, document. That mindset has served me well over the years. John VonBank, formerly of the Burnsville Ice Center, had a tremendous impact on me from an operations stand - point. He taught me the ins and outs of facility operations at a level I hadn't fully appreciated before. While my staff might joke about me staying out of the mainte- nance areas, understanding those behind- the-scenes aspects is critical, and what I learned from John was truly invaluable. I would also say that my time serving on the MIAMA Board of Directors for more than 24 years has been a continuous source of mentorship. The members of that organi - zation—both directly and indirectly—have played a significant role in my growth. The knowledge, experience, and support I gained from that network contributed greatly to my success and longevity in the industry. k Mulso served on the Minnesota Ice Arena Managers Association Board of Directors for 24 years.

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