Dave Bolwerk
Dave is vice president of sales & marketing for OpenAire Inc, a leading custom designer, manufacturer and installer of retractable roof enclosures and skylights for commercial, industrial and residential clients throughout North America and Europe. Dave manages all aspects of sales and marketing, including managing the sales force, estimating projects, preparing budgets, representing the company at trade shows and assisting clients in the design of enclosures and skylights. Before joining OpenAire in 1993, he worked for more than 17 years for a skylight manufacturer in Wisconsin as a draftsman and later as General Manager. Dave holds degrees in architecture and business. You can reach Dave at 262-675-6966 or email.

Carin Brown
Carin Brown joined Neuman Group in 2005 as the Director of Design/Build Services for the Entertainment Division. She is focused on the development of customer relationships and the coordination needs of commercial and design/build waterpark projects, in addition to the growth of Neuman Group’s staff, processes, and value to the client. Carin has been involved with the commercial aquatic industry for almost 20 years. Prior to joining Neuman Group, she invested thirteen years with SCS Interactive in a variety of roles including interactive waterplay structure design, sales, project management, customer service and installation. Her experience also includes waterpark operations management with Raging Waters and Marine World Africa USA, both located in Northern California. Carin holds a Master of Business Administration from Regis University, Colorado and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing from San Jose State University in California. You can reach Carin at 800-965-8385 or email .

Rick Burton
Rick is managing director of the Commercial Real Estate Group for Minneapolis-based Marshall BankFirst. He manages a team of underwriters and analysts in Minneapolis, Madison, New York, Atlanta, Orlando, St Louis and Los Angeles. His team has originated over $3.5 billion in loans. Marshall BankFirst is the largest provider of financing for hotel waterpark resorts, including the Great Wolf Resorts, Kalahari Resorts, Massanutten Resort’s Waterpark in Virginia and Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark at Holiday Inn East in Columbus OH. Previously, Rick was vp of Merrill Lynch’s Business Financial Services Group for Minnesota, Wisconsin and Dakotas. Before that, he was credit analyst and business banking officer for Marquette Banks. He holds a BS degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. You can reach Rick at 612-376-1362 or email.

Greg Callin
Greg is VP at PLANNING Design Build, Inc. of Madison, Wisconsin. He leads the project development services for the company. Greg provides business services to indoor water resort clients including site evaluation, assistance on debt and equity options, business plan review, preparation of project budgets, critique of pro forma cash flow projections, property management operators and specialty consultants. Greg’s 20 experience in working with management groups and owners in a variety of fields along with his financial background provides clients with a unique set of skills to assist them on indoor water resort development projects. PLANNING Design Build, Inc. specializes in indoor waterpark resorts, office buildings, restaurants, spas & salons, and retail complexes. The company, which began in 1973, designs and builds indoor waterpark resorts throughout the U.S. and commercial buildings in the Great Lakes Region. You can reach Greg at 608-664-3506 or email.

Greg Cloward
Greg has earned a reputation as one of the top water feature engineers in the country. Since founding his own firm in 1977, he has had the opportunity to design many of the premier water feature and entertainment projects in the world, including The Atlantis Bahamas and The Atlantis Dubai. Greg’s broad range of project experience including resorts, water parks, theme parks, aquariums, residential and commercial developments, public facilities, and urban developments make him a valuable asset to a fast-paced, creative development team. As President of Cloward H2O, Greg and his firm have distinguished themselves as a highly creative, responsive and comprehensive team on numerous award-winning projects world wide. Cloward H2O is a full service engineering firm with special experience and qualifications in the design of water parks, water theme parks, amusement attractions, aquariums, marine parks, zoos, aquatic life support systems, large commercial pools, lagoons, lake-river-canal systems, marinas, locks, waterfalls and interactive fountains as well as general civil, structural, mechanical and electrical engineering services. You can reach Greg at 801-375-1223 or email.

Jeff Coy
Jeff is president of JLC Hospitality Consulting, a hotel research, feasibility and consulting firm based in Cave Creek AZ. The firm provides market analysis, economic feasibility reports and services for developers of hotels and mixed-use resort destinations including recreation, entertainment, waterpark, surfpark and whitewater river facilities. Jeff is certified by the International Society of Hospitality Consultants. He has 32 years experience in developing, managing and marketing hotels and resorts with 21 years experience as an independent consultant. Jeff held senior positions with Carefree Resorts Arizona, Kahler Hotels Corp and Ramada Inns Inc. He has authored two hotel industry marketing books, “How to Produce & Implement a Hotel Marketing Plan” and “Hitting the Target.” In 2001, he teamed with Bill Haralson to form Hotel Waterpark Resort Research & Consulting. Together they produce the Annual Industry Report for the growing Hotel Waterpark Resort sector of the resort industry. Jeff earned a BA from Michigan State and a Masters from Boston University. You can reach him at 480-488-3382 or email.

Rick Coy
After ten years as an Asst Attorney General of Michigan where he specialized in electric, gas and telecommunications regulation and litigation, Rick Coy joined Clark Hill PLC in 1982 where he represented large corporations, small businesses and individuals with their energy needs and negotiated their rates with public utilities. For decades, he has shown creativity in developing future energy alternatives for his clients in education, automotive and health care. As a result, his clients are the early beneficiaries, not victims, of his efforts to deregulate monopolistic electric utilities. For 20 years, Coy has been listed in Best Lawyers in America. Expert witness, guest lecturer, experienced negotiator and litigator, he has a unique vantage point to observe and influence changes in the energy industries. Recently, he represented a hotel waterpark resort company involved with two conflicting electric utility companies. Rick earned his BA from Michigan State University and his JD from George Washington University Law School in 1971. You can reach Rick at 517-318-3028 or email.

Bruce Dalen
Bruce is co-founder and president/ceo of WaterFun Products and Amusement Leisure Worldwide of Calgary, Alberta. With over 30 years of independent experience in the leisure-recreation industry, Bruce lends a wealth of knowledge to the development and application of new products and ideas for waterparks and entertainment facilities around the world. He has been instrumental in the development of key industry alliances for both the manufacturing and sales distribution components of Amusement Leisure, with a focus on burgeoning markets, trends and new product ideas. Bruce has owned and operated several water and theme parks, along with investments in other leisure products like Dippin’ Dots Ice Cream Canada and the development of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museums in southern California. Bruce is a consummate entrepreneur who is always ready to discuss new concepts and exchange ideas. You can reach him at 403-244-2202 or email.

Bart Deeg
Bart Deeg is the founder and president of Westwind Leisure Group Ltd of Edmonton, Alberta. He has a background in recreation/leisure design and planning that spans more than 30 years. For the last 15 years, Bart has focused primarily on aquatics design, equipment sales and installation. From initial concept design through project implementation, Bart and his talented Westwind team provides a wealth of global experience from China to Central America, from the Middle East to Scandinavia and from Eastern Europe to North America. Westwind specializes in innovative waterslides, special effects, lighting, children’s water toys and new signature rides. The company focuses on aquatic clients with projects that range from under $100,000 to more than $10 million. You can reach Bart at 780-465-6699 or email.

Ken Ellis
Ken is president/coo of Aquatic Development Group of Cohoes NY, a firm involved in the planning, design, engineering and construction of waterparks and aquatic centers. His successful projects include Dollywood’s Splash Country, Kalahari Resort, Massanutten Resort’s Indoor Aquatic Center, CamelBeach and Six Flag’s Great Escape Lodge & Waterpark. His leadership, vision and passion for developing unique facilities that produce great experiences and memories for visitors is a hallmark of his tenure at the company. Ken has received awards from World Worldpark Association, the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions and the National Ski Areas Association. Ellis attended Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs NY. You can reach Ken at 518-783-0038 or email.

Matthew Freeby AIA
Matthew W. Freeby, AIA, NCARB, has served Neuman Group and Water Technology, Inc. as Leisure Services / Project Manager for ten years specializing in the design of indoor resort/hotel waterparks while simultaneously managing numerous large outdoor aquatic facility projects. Mr. Freeby has 23 years experience in the design and construction of numerous building types and structures including hospitality and resort developments. Matthew Freeby has presented seminars at IAAPA, World Waterpark, ARDA, the Wisconsin Lodging Conference and various parks and recreation state conferences. You can reach him at (800) 965-8385 or email.

Lou Frillman
Lou Frillman is president of GVA Marquette Advisors, a national real estate consulting practice with offices in Minneapolis and Seattle. The firm provides comprehensive solutions to complex real estate situations, including hotels, resorts, casinos, shopping centers, office buildings and mixed-use developments. Lou has developed skills in acquisition, disposition, asset management, development, leasing, sales, valuation and financing of all types of income-producing properties. He knows how to prepare funding requests and advise his clients on how to get the money for their projects. His affiliations include NAIOP, ASREC, National Association of Realtors, Appraisal Institute, Urban Land Institute and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He earned a BA degree in Finance from College of St Thomas in Minneapolis. You reach Lou at 612-344-1274 or email.

Barry Gertz
Barry Gertz is a second-generation president of Neptune-Benson based in Coventry RI. He is an engineering graduate from the University of Rhode Island with 30 years of experience in the aquatics industry. He is a Hall of Fame member of World Waterpark Association. Barry is actively involved in several industry associations where he has presented many seminars on water filtration and recirculation systems. Barry’s company started in 1956 as a professional engineering corporation specializing in the design and manufacturer of aquatic filtration system and recirculation components. Most recently, Neptune Benson developed and introduced the Defender Regenerative Media Filter to maximize water quality, reduce water consumption and achieve higher energy savings. You can reach Barry at 800-832-8002 or email.

Scott Getchell
Scott manages the Water Fun Products division of Amusement Leisure Worldwide of Calgary, Alberta. From 1992 to 2002, Scott was GM for Wild Rapids Waterslide Park in Sylvan Lake, where he was responsible for operations, maintenance and marketing. During the “off-season” months, he managed Water Fun Products Inc, the company that created two of the most exciting water toys in the industry – Flash Flood and Sidewinder. In 2002 Amusement Leisure Worldwide purchased Water Fun, which Scott still manages in addition to his own business, Fiber-Werx International Inc, which is Alberta’s largest custom fiberglass manufacturer, producing not only waterslides but fiberglass products for other industries. Scott started his career in the early 80’s by managing the food service for Alberta’s largest waterpark. You can reach Scott at 403-887-3804 or go to www.waterfunproducts.com.

Josef Haas
Josef Haas is the chief operating officer at Kalahari Resorts. With over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, he joined Kalahari Resorts in May 2007 to direct Kalahari operations and manage all aspects of the guest experience as the chief communications officer. Over the years, Josef has served as a hospitality industry consultant overseeing re-branding and renovation efforts, and he has held executive-level positions at renowned hotels and resorts spanning the globe. You can reach him at 608-254-5320 or email.

Bill Haralson
Bill is a specialist in recreation economics with more than 35 years of consulting experience. He has completed literally hundred of assignments relating to the feasibility of virtually every type of recreation project. Bill is president of William L. Haralson & Associates of Richardson TX. Among his clients are the Disney Organization, Six Flags Corp, Opryland USA and Silver Dollar City Corp. The World Waterpark Association has presented its Industry Leadership award to Haralson on two occasions. He has been a contributor to World Waterpark magazine numerous times and is a charter member of the WWA Hall of Fame. In 2001, he teamed with Jeff Coy to form a collaborative effort called Hotel Waterpark Resort Research & Consulting. Together they have produced the Annual Industry Report for the growing Hotel Waterpark Resort sector of the resort industry. You can reach Bill at 972-231-7444 or email.

Jeff Janovich
Jeff is VP Sales for ProSlide Technology Inc in Ottawa Canada. He has 19 years experience in waterparks and water rides including installations, park operations, marketing, fiberglass fabrication and water ride design. His love of alpine skiing and racing has given him a strong passion for water slides and the ability to refine new prototypes such as the Mammoth River, Dark Mammoth, Tornado, CannonBowl, Racers and the Rocket. His primary responsibilities include consulting with waterpark resort owners and operators worldwide. He designs each ride to specific sites. Jeff holds a BA in political science from Concordia University in Quebec. You can reach Jeff at 613-526-5522 or email.

Tom Kiser
Tom Kiser, CEO and founder of Professional Supply Inc of Fremont OH, is an international leader in the innovation, design and application of the most advanced heating, ventilating and energy systems in the world. An aeronautical engineer, he is a pioneer in the field of energy. He had developed many revolutionary patents that have changed the way industries integrate and utilize HVAC and process energy loads. Tom is famous for the “Kiser Concept,” which he installed in the Ford Motor Company in 1998 and saved Ford $15 million on their annual energy bill. That year Ford received a National Energy Savings Award. Current annual energy savings at Ford exceed $50 million. While saving companies millions of dollars, he also shares his expertise with leaders around the world --- including China. He was appointed senior energy advisor to the Shanghai Economic Commission in 2001 at the request of then VP Al Gore. He has created training concept to install Energy Sustainability Teams into the corporate culture of companies to drive the organization’s economic engine. His energy systems and answer continue to change lives and alter the way we use energy. His ideas and leadership are in high demand as the world struggles to meet its energy demands of today and tomorrow. Tom Kiser is known throughout the industrial world as America’s Energy Coach. He recently took at look at some of our indoor waterpark resorts and politely referred to them as “energy hogs.” Not one to mince words, Tom tells it like he sees it. And since he has some definite energy-saving recommendations for us, we invited him to be our featured luncheon speaker. You can reach Tom at 419-332-7373 or email.

Mike Kwiatkowski
Mike is director of loan syndications at Virchow Krause & Company LLP in Madison WI. Joining the firm in 2005, Mike has over 20 years of commercial banking experience working with closely-held companies and community banks. He provides debt placement advice for clients and places debt within a large number of financial institutions throughout the Midwest. Hotel waterpark resort clients include KeyLime Cove, Kalahari Resorts, RainTree and others. Mike participates in the Bank Holding Company Association and the New Market Tax Credits Coalition. He earned a BA in business from University of Wisconsin – Whitewater and an MBA from University of St Thomas in Minneapolis. You can reach Mike at 608-240-2440 or email.

Michael Lee
Michael Lee is owner/partner of Michael Lee Design/MLD Productions of Orem UT and Apogee Attractions of Boston MA. He has 32 years experience in all phases of themed entertainment from concept to opening for theme parks, waterparks, museums, aquariums, resorts and family entertainment centers. He has consulted for Children’s Television Workshop, Universal Studios, Warner Brothers, Paramount Parks, Lego, Sanyo, Bechtel, Geyser Falls Water Theme Park, Atlantis Resort Bahamas and the Smithsonian Institution. Earlier, he was Director of Design, Attractions Division, for Lucas Arts Entertainment and Assistant Professor of Art & Design at California State University in Fullerton. Mike holds a BS in science from Brigham Young University and a MFA from University of California in Los Angeles. You can reach Mike at 801-225-9169 or email.

Jeff Lococo
Jeff Lococo is president of Lococo Company LLC of Sandusky OH. He began his career with Marriott Corporation’s theme park division and progressed through middle management to the General Manager level with Funtime Inc. Jeff spent six years in various executive vp level positions with Six Flags Inc. In 2000, he joined Great Wolf Resorts Inc as general manager of Great Wolf Lodge in Sandusky OH. He was later promoted to Corporate VP Resort Operations for all Great Wolf Lodge properties. Jeff Lococo has 30 years of experience in the theme/waterpark, entertainment and hospitality industries. In January of 2006, he established Lococo Company LLC which provides conceptual design and development services. The company specializes in management, marketing and brand consultation for hotels, theme parks, zoos and indoor-outdoor waterparks. You can reach Jeff at 419-656-5131 or email.

Dean Morgan
Dean is vice president of SplashUniverse Waterpark Resorts, a division of Focus Enterprises of Valparaiso IN. Dean joined the company in 1997 as director of training, then director of marketing, regional manger, vp operations and president of Focus Hospitality Services in 2003. He directed the growth of the company from 5 to 25 hotels over the last ten years --- including getting into the indoor waterpark business. As vp of SplashUniverse, he now oversees the operations of two hotel-waterparks and directs the future growth new SplashUniverse projects. Dean is a graduate of Sullivan University in Louisville KY with a degree in hospitality management. He serves on the board of the hospitality programs at both Sullivan and IU Purdue Fort Wayne and the Indiana Hotel & Lodging Association. Affiliations include Indiana Tourism Council and Tour Indiana. You can reach Dean at 219-531-2500 ext 2 or email.

Andrew Mowatt
Andrew is vice president of resort waterparks for Whitewater West Industries Ltd of Vancouver BC Canada. He has over 12 years experience working in the North American waterpark market. His background includes waterpark marketing, communications, design and operations. Andrew specializes in indoor waterpark resort development for Whitewater West, one of the industry’s foremost suppliers of aquatic entertainment attractions. You can reach Andrew at 604-232-3307 or email.

Melissa Mowery
Melissa is the Director of Water Resort Operations for Wave Development, a hotel waterpark developing and owning company based in Milwaukee, WI. Melissa started her aquatic career working at Noah’s Ark Waterpark in Wisconsin Dells for eleven years. She has also worked at Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells, and Country Springs Hotel and Indoor Waterpark in Waukesha WI. Melissa is a graduate for Winona State University with a Recreation Therapy/Management degree. She is a Certified Pool Operator (CPO) and a licensed International Pool and Waterpark Lifeguard Instructor Trainer through Ellis and Associates. Melissa is also a faculty member of the International Aquatic Safety School. You can reach her at 414-226-1950 or email.

Bob Nagel
Bob is founder and president of Architectural Design Consultants Inc of Lake Delton WI. He has been an innovator in indoor waterpark design since he worked on the first hotel waterpark resort in Wisconsin Dells. He manages the corporation on a daily basis and takes pride in maintaining a personal one-on-one relationship with each of his repeat clients. He helped to create the Great Wolf concept and has designed over 50 indoor waterpark projects in the last decade. Affiliations include WWA, IAAPA, Wisconsin Society of Professional Engineers, National Society of Professional Engineers, Building Officials & Code Administrators and the International Conference of Building Officials. Bob is a leader in the waterpark industry worldwide. You can reach Bob at 608-254-6181 or email.

Todd Nelson
At the age of 19, Todd Nelson began his entrepreneurial career buying a nightclub and pizza pub, which he successfully operated for over 20 years. This launched Todd into his first resort hotel, The Raintree, which he opened in 1997. He sold The Raintree one year later but it whetted his appetite for “bigger and better” and his plans for the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells were on the drawing board. Todd opened Kalahari in 2000 and continually expanded it to include a 125,000 sf indoor waterpark, a 125,000 convention center and over 800 hotel units and individually-owned condos. Todd still has 45 acres that can expanded --- he never stops thinking about what’s next to stay ahead of the intense competition in Wisconsin Dells. In 2005, Todd Nelson his second Kalahari Resort in Sandusky OH, which he says is similar to the Dells 10 to 15 years ago --- ready to explode with growth. Continually expanding, Kalahari Sandusky is now the largest hotel waterpark resort in the USA --- with 884 rentable units, 93,000 sf of convention space and 173,000 sf of indoor waterpark. Todd was the youngest active auctioneer in the nation at age 15. Anyone who meets him immediately sees why he is able to accomplish so much in his young life. He continues his energetic, youthful pace, determined to be successful at whatever he does. Intelligent and dynamic, he mostly enjoys the “thrill of the chase” in the business world where he says losing is never an option. That’s why we decided to host our Developer’s Workshop at Todd’s resort and ask him to be our featured luncheon speaker on Thursday. You can reach Todd at 608-254-3750 or email.

Paul Newman AIA, LEED AP
Paul Newman is a registered architect and a LEED Accredited Professional. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It is a series of rating systems developed by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) for determining a projects sustainability. Paul has been in the architectural industry for 20-years and has led many multi-discipline projects of various sizes, types and delivery methods including design-bid, design-build and negotiated contract. You can reach him at 608-254-6181 or email.

Jeff Nodorft
Jeff is the studio director for Counsilman-Hunsaker, an aquatic design-engineering firm based in St Louis and Los Angeles. He is focused on the development of indoor & outdoor waterparks in the hospitality resort sector. Jeff has been involved in the design and development of many successful resorts, including Wilderness Resort, Kalahari Resort, Waterpark of America, Treasurer Island Resort and the Greenbrier. Nodorft is the author of “Energy Issues of Indoor Waterparks,” an article exploring the challenges faced when designing HVAC systems and addresses air quality for indoor waterparks across the country. Jeff is a registered Professional Engineer in seven states and holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering with a Master’s in Business Administration. His speaking engagements include the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions’ and World Waterpark Association’s annual conferences. You can reach Jeff at 314-416-2078 or email.

Doug Pagel
Doug is director of key accounts for SCS Interactive of Englewood CO. He joined the firm in 2003 bringing over 20 years of experience in the capital equipment industry. Doug’s management experience includes sales, engineering and operations. He is responsible for SCS Interactive’s key accounts and focused markets. Prior to SCS, Doug was VP Sales for Quippe Technologies, an internet-based procurement company. He has held management positions with a number of domestic and international technology companies, including ABB, Technistar and MiniScribe. You can reach Doug at 630-232-7391 or email.

Dennis Prendeville
Dennis is president & CEO of Alaska Waterpark Company Inc, which built, owns and operates the H2Oasis Indoor Waterpark in Anchorage AK. He also heads the Castle Group Inc, which invests in real estate and securities. From 1974 to 1999, Dennis worked for the Alyeska Pipeline Service Co, operator of the Trans Alaska Pipeline System, with jobs as project cost engineer and law & right of way manager. Born in Morristown NJ, Dennis earned his BS in Electrical Engineering and Masters in Engineering Management from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Anchorage. You can reach him at 907-522-4420 or email.

Bart Riberich
Bart is president of Uni-Systems LLC, a Minnesota-based firm that specializes in working with owners, constructors, architects and engineers to design, manufacture and installation of large retractable roofing and wall systems into stadiums, theaters, arenas and waterparks. Bart is an expert in retractable roofs with 24 years experience in structural design and civil engineering. He holds a BS in Civil & Environmental Engineering from University of Wisconsin and a MS degree from University of Kansas. Bart is an AWS Certified Weld Inspector, holds several patents related to aircraft maintenance and kinetic architecture. He is registered at a Professional Engineer in several states and is a registered Structural Engineer in Arizona and Nevada. Bart and his firm recently installed the retractable roof and playing field at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale AZ where the Arizona Cardinals pla y football. You can reach Bart at 763-536-1407 or email.

Bill Ryan
Bill is chief operating officer of Architectural Design Consultants Inc (ADCI) of Lake Delton WI, guiding the day to day operations of an ever-growing firm. The company has won many awards for its designs. Bill has a background and training in both design and construction, and he provides leadership in all phases of the project. He provided construction administration in the field for many of the Great Wolf Lodge resorts. While every design is diverse, his instinctive sense of each client’s individual needs has contributed to unparalleled success in the area of hotel waterpark resorts. You can reach Bill at 608-254-6181 or email.

Scott Shipley
Scott is perhaps the best-known American kayaker in the world today --- a veteran of three Olympic games (’92, ’96, ’00) and holder of four world titles. He was recently named to the International Whitewater Hall of Fame. Scott also holds BS & MS degrees in mechanical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. He has vast expertise in both the design and use of whitewater parks. Scott has trained and raced on every major artificial course in the world. He put this expertise to good use when he designed and constructed the world’s largest state-of-the-art whitewater park in Charlotte, North Carolina. Scott is part of Recreation Engineering and Planning in Boulder, CO where he continues to work with developers and communities to design and plan whitewater parks all over the world. REP has built over 40 whitewater parks projects—representing more than 95% of all whitewater parks in America today. You can reach Scott at 303-545-5883 or email.

Jamie Skowronski
Jamie is president of Ramaker & Associates, a waterpark design-engineering firm in Sauk City WI. Previously, he owned a consulting engineering firm in Seattle that specialized in indoor-outdoor sports & recreation facilities. Clients include communities, architects, hotels, resorts and developers. He guides them in their efforts to design inspiring aquatic facilities or rehabilitate existing ones. He has helped to set the standard for the emerging waterpark resort market. His firm has worked on resorts with waterparks larger than 100,000 square feet. Currently, his firm is working on the transformation of the former Reno Hilton into the Grand Sierra Resort with its 150,000 sf indoor waterpark. Jamie has 30 years experience in the business, holds a BS in Civil/Structural Engineering from the University of Illinois and is a licensed engineer in 33 states. You can reach Jamie at 608-643-4100 or email.

Dan South
Dan is vice president of operations for Dome Technology Inc of Idaho Falls ID, a company that has used its patented thin shell concrete dome method to construct over 443 architectural domes around the world --- including industrial, commercial, schools, churches and residential domes. Dan South has worked for Dome Technology for more than 15 years. Dan has been construction superintendent on numerous monolithic concrete domes throughout the United States and abroad. He is currently involved in company management, handling day-to-day operations as well as sales and customer relations and product development. Dan obtained his BA degree in Production Management at Utah State University, Logan, Utah. You can reach Dan at 208-529-0833 or email.

Dieter Sturm
Dieter is ceo and founder of All-Season Extreme of Lake Geneva WI, the USA representative for Snowflex, which is the ultimate all-season alternative snow surface. Dieter heads a creative management group that is dedicated to the design, development, management and marketing of unique action sports, recreation & entertainment projects worldwide. He is an expert and visionary in innovative winter and snow projects for 20 years. He received an Academy Award for developing biodegradable snow for the motion picture industry and has coordinated special effects for over 50 major motion pictures. You can reach Dieter at 262-245-6594 or email.

Kris Volk
Kris Volk founded Volk International of Conifer CO in 2002. As an owner's advocate, a significant part of her role is managing a team that works towards the owner's vision. Owners and developers benefit from Kris Volk’s unique position in the industry working closely with designers and manufacturers while at the same time maintaining complete objectivity and independence. Her project management services include the coordination of tasks such as room layout and design, purchasing, FF&E, waterpark design, ride and attraction selection, arcade development, theming development, vendor coordination, contract negotiations, budgeting and scheduling. Previously, Kris served for six years as vp at Koala Corporation and SCS Interactive, where she focused on the development of interactive attractions in hotels, waterparks, entertainment complexes and resorts in the USA and around the world. Earlier, she spent several years with a large accounting firm, where she managed projects on strategic planning, sales and marketing, international development, cross border analysis, site selection and investment promotion programs. You can reach Kris Volk at 303-838-9785 or email.

Brian Walsh
Brian is a senior manager at Virchow Krause & Company LLP in Madison WI. He is a member of the firm’s construction, real estate and hospitality industry team. Brian has 23 years of experience as a tax expert representing clients across the USA on a variety of federal and state tax matters. He has written many articles that have been featured in World Waterpark Magazine, Hospitality Construction and Construction Accounting & Taxation. He is also a frequent speaker on tax planning related matters. You reach Brian at 608-240-2696 or email.

Bob Waun
Bob Waun is president of Vacation Finance, a division of Americor Financial Services Inc in Birmingham, Michigan. Americor was founded in 1986 and has operated joint venture mortgage lending operations for regional Coldwell Banker Real Estate franchisees (1986-2001) with a profitable and proven track record. Vacation Finance presently operates in Michigan, Florida, Colorado, North Carolina, California and Illinois. The company has the ability to originate on both retail and wholesale basis. Vacation Finance has signed correspondent relationships with some of the largest lenders in the USA. Founded to take advantage of the growing niche in the condo hotel mortgage end loans, Vacation Finance, America’s First Second-Home Lender, has expanded into alternative vacation ownership mortgage markets. With the solid foundation of a 20-year old mortgage lending operation, Vacation Finance has mutually profitable relationships with a wide range of lending institutions and lending capabilities. You can reach Bob at 248-643-0800 ext 224 or email.

Donny Weber
Donald J. Weber, AIA, is an architect and vice president of the Weber Group Inc of Sellersburg IN. The Weber Group is a design-build company specializing in the design, themeing and construction of hotels, theme parks, waterparks zoos, museums and holiday events. For over 20 years, Donny and his team have brought a variety of brands to life for their clients, including Great Wolf Lodges throughout the USA, Wave Development, FLG Hospitality, Six Flags, Paramount Parks and Mercedes Benz as well as the Columbus Zoo and Louisville Zoo. Donny can apply to the hotel waterpark resort what theme park designers have learned about creating the customer experience and how that translates into guest satisfaction and higher customer spending. You can reach Donny at 812-246-2100 or email.

Michael Williams
Michael is an architect and president of Liquid Design, a total package design firm in Charlotte NC, specializing in building design, space planning, interior design and project management. The firm’s designs have broad appeal in recreational, corporate, retail, educational and residential spaces. Mike is the lead architect and master planner for the US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte NC. He is directly responsible for the overall “feel,” program and design of the project, the world’s largest, man-made, re-circulating whitewater park. Mike is also a lead partner in the collaboration of Liquid Enterprise, a company of industry leaders teaming to create a series of “whitewater superparks.” You can reach Mike at 704-338-9980 or email.

Ron Williams
Ron is president of Financial Comprehensive Network Inc (FCNI), which he formed in 2005 to provide developers with financial services to get projects funded, built and opened. He focuses on loans ranging from $1 million to $500 million. Ron and his team are experienced in all stages of the development process --- from land negotiation to planning & zoning, design & marketing, interim & permanent financing, construction and on-going operations. Previously, Ron focused on SBA Lending for three banks: Union Planters, Washington Mutual and Southwest Bank. In addition, Ron is a financial advisor to a Hall of Fame Major League Baseball player, NFL players and entertainers. He is a former Commissioner of Economic Development, real estate professional, insurance & estate planner and manager for a historic city. He is decisive, results-driven and has a strong pattern of achievement. FCNI exhibits the personality of Ron Williams being people-oriented while “hand-holding” the developer to assure every possibility of success. You can reach Ron at 281-261-9621 or email

Jeff Wise
Jeff Wise is executive director of US National Whitewater Center Inc of Charlotte NC. The USNWC, modeled after the man-made whitewater river stadium built for the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, is the first commercial venue for professional and amateur kayaking, whitewater rafting and paddle sports in the USA. Whitewater riverparks, from natural river enhancements to totally man-made indoor-outdoor facilities, are part of the future of mixed use projects and hotel waterpark resort destinations. Jeff Wise was born and raised in Charlotte NC. He graduated from the University of Richmond and Emory University School of Law in Atlanta. He practiced healthcare law in private practice for six years before returning to Charlotte to work for First Commerce Bank in 1995. Later he co-founded and became president of Consentsys, a healthcare information systems company. You can reach Jeff at 704-391-3900 ext 197 or email jeff@usnwc.org.

Tiffany Woodward
Tiffany is the Director of Sales and Marketing for Wave Development, a hotel waterpark developing and owning company based in Milwaukee, WI. Currently she is in charge of working with the CoCo Key properties to hire, train and manage water resort sales and local promotions. Prior to working with Wave Development, Tiffany worked as the Special Events and Waterpark Sales Manager at Country Spring Hotel in Waukesha, Wisconsin. To date she has been active in opening seven waterparks and is scheduled to open an additional four waterparks in 2008. She is a member of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), World Waterpark Association (WWA), and sits on the WWA marketing committee. You can reach Tiffany at 414-226-1950 or email.