Rink

CEnter ice Q&A with a rink professional 58 / MAY.JUNE.2026 USICERINKS.COM // What do you feel are the most important skills and/or traits of a successful rink manager? A successful rink manager really needs to be well-rounded, but there are a few key traits that stand out. First, the ability to remain calm under pressure is essential. Whether you're deal - ing with customer concerns, staff issues, or unexpected equipment problems, how you respond in the moment sets the tone for everything that follows. Strong problem-solving skills are also critical. You're constantly balancing prior - ities—scheduling conflicts, staffing short- ages, or last-minute changes—so being resourceful and solutions-oriented makes a big difference. Attention to detail is another important piece. Making sure everything is account - ed for—whether it's planning an event or handling an operational issue—helps things run smoothly and prevents small issues from becoming bigger problems. Finally, flexibility and adaptability are key. I've always believed in trying not to say "no" unless you absolutely have to. Finding a way to make things work and creating a positive experience for your customers goes a long way in this business. // Do you have any advice for some - one interested in starting a career in the industry? My biggest piece of advice is to get involved and stay engaged in the industry beyond just your day-to-day role. Being part of ice arena organizations—whether at the local, regional, or national level— can make a tremendous difference in your growth. Groups like MIAMA, U.S. Ice Rink Association, and others provide valu - able opportunities to network with peers, share experiences, and learn from others in the field. Attending conferences and participating in educational sessions not only builds your knowledge, but also helps you stay current with laws, industry trends and best practices. Those connections and learning oppor - tunities are what help you grow into a well-rounded professional. The more you put into the industry, the more you'll get out of it. // You've been actively involved in the leadership of the Minnesota Ice Rink Managers Association (MIAMA) for many years, do you plan to stay involved? If so, why? I would absolutely love to stay involved—if the board will have me. I've served as Administrative Assistant since 2004 and was also elected Treasurer, so my role has really been as part of the support structure for the association. It's something I've truly enjoyed over the years. Staying involved with MIAMA would allow me to remain connected to the indus - try I've dedicated my career to. It's a way to continue contributing, even in retirement, and to help support the next generation of rink professionals. If I can continue to play a small role in making the industry better than when I first entered it, that would be incredibly meaningful to me. I'd be more than happy to stay involved for as long as I can—hope - fully for several more years. // What is the one thing you will miss the most about working in the indus- try when you retire? Without a doubt, I'll miss my staff the most. They've been such an important part of my career, and the relationships we've built over the years mean everything to me. One person who stands out is my very first hire in Burnsville 27 years ago, my administrative assistant, Jill Culver. She's been a steady, reliable presence, and quite honestly, the job would have been much more difficult without her. Jill brought something special to the workplace. As the only female on staff, she added a personal touch that made the ice center feel more like home—decorat - ing the office for the holidays, keeping the candy jars stocked, and creating an environment that was welcoming not just for our team, but for everyone who walked through the doors. It's those kinds of people and moments that I'll truly miss the most. // What is the one thing that you are looking forward to most in retirement? What I'm looking forward to most is the flexibility—having a daily schedule that isn't tied to a 40-hour work week. After so many years in a structured role, that free - dom is something I'm really excited about. My wife and I are planning to travel right out of the gate for the first few months, which will be a great way to start this next chapter. I'm also looking forward to getting back into fishing more regularly and just slowing down a bit to enjoy time with family. Spending time with my grandkids is a big priority as well—whether that's attending their sporting events, school activities, or even just watching from afar when needed. Those are moments I don't want to miss. At the same time, I still plan to stay connected to the industry through my involvement with MIAMA. It's been such a big part of my life, and I'd like to continue contributing in whatever way I can. J PHOTOS: CONTRIBUTED MY BIGGEST PIECE OF ADVICE IS TO GET INVOLVED AND STAY ENGAGED IN THE INDUSTRY BEYOND JUST YOUR DAYTO DAY ROLE."

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