March 2 Keynote Speaker

MICHAEL BRANDWEIN is an internationally recognized expert onteaching and leading young people.
Michael has made presentations in all 50 of the states, most provinces of Canada, and on 6 of the 7 continents. He is the author of three best‐selling books on the training and supervision of youth leaders, called Training Terrific Staff, Super Staff SuperVision, and Learning Leadership. He wrote and
presented three Emmy® award‐winning public television programs about communicating with young people which have been broadcast on PBS stations throughout the U.S. Michael is best known for his highly practical, “use‐it‐immediately” approach and entertaining and engaging teaching methods. He
is a frequent staff development speaker for schools, camps, recreation programs, child care centers and community service organizations and is a keynoter for many national, state, and international professional associations that serve young people, educators, and families.

He has worked with young people for over 25 years in a wide variety of settings as a front‐line staff person, supervisor, and director. He has served on the national board of directors and executive committee of the American Camp Association. He has been a training consultant for the National PTA’s national program to increase parent involvement and build better partnerships between parents and schools.

Michael has a summa cum laude degree in Speech Communication from the University of Illinois, where he graduated as a Bronze Tablet Scholar, the highest academic recognition awarded by the University. His Juris Doctor degree is from the University of Chicago. Michael is based in the Chicago
area in Lincolnshire, Illinois, where he lives with his wife Donna, a certified sign language interpreter, and their two children.
Michael’s presentation skills are enhanced from his creative background, which includes graduating from the famed Second City improvisational theater school in Chicago. He wrote and performed for two years on an Emmy® award‐winning weekly educational television program for children on CBS in
Chicago. He has been a professional magician for over 25 years and wrote and performed in a live presentation with Jim Henson’s Muppets for HBO and the American Library Association to encourage young people to read. Successful Meetings magazine searched nationwide and selected Michael as one of two “unique,
exceptional speakers who provide real entertainment value with important messages that listeners can apply to their jobs immediately.” Corporate Meetings & Incentives magazine identified Michael in as one of 15 “sure‐thing speakers.””

March 3 Keynote Speaker

MICKY FEARN, Deputy Director, National Park Service
Mickey Fearn came to the NPS from Seattle, Washington, where he created and directed a summer youth program for Seattle Parks and Recreation aimed at connecting urban youths to the natural world while promoting personal responsibility and healthy lifestyles. In Seattle, Mickey held positions as the manager of the City of Seattle’s Race and Social Justice Initiative, director of the City’s Innovation Project and director of Seattle’s Neighborhood Leadership Program. Mickey also served as a Washington State Parks and Recreation commissioner for 12 years.

Prior to his work in Seattle, Mickey Fearn worked for the governor of California, the California Department of Parks and Recreation, and the mayor of Oakland California. One of Mickey’s greatest strengths is the ability to create a workplace that allows employees to excel as a team as they work towards the mission of the organization. As the NPS strives to create the next generation of park stewards, Mickey is well‐positioned to lead these efforts based on his experience working across all levels of government to develop and implement new initiatives
and programs.

“Many of innovative approaches and programs I have developed and managed on the local level can be expanded to a national audience, especially outreach efforts to underserved populations in urban areas” says Fearn. “Traditionally, these communities haven’t always felt that the stories of national parks were their stories. I want to connect all Americans to these special places.”

Mickey earned his bachelor of arts degree in recreation and park administration at California State University and his masters of science degree in recreation and leisure studies from the University of Oregon.”

Dwight Anttila, Park Superintendent with Brandywine Creek State Park, Delaware State Parks

Planning and Developing a Special Event
This will be a powerpoint presentation with handouts and discussion on planning and developing a special event.

Dwight stared with the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation at Brandywine Creek State Park in 1977 as a Park Ranger and progressed through the system to Assistant Park Superintendent to finally Park Superintendent.  He is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Science degree in Park Administration.  He has attended the Delaware Police Academy and the Maintenance Management School at Oglebay West Virginia.  Dwight has served on various committees during his career including DRPS Conference Committee, Trails Committee, Special Use Permit Committee and committees for special events in the Park like the Civil War, Salesianum Cross Country meet, Halloween and the Revolutionary War.

R. Clifford Berg, Jr. CLU, ChFC, AEP, MSFS, Financial House

Retirement Planning and Generating Cash Flow
This session will cover how to determine the income needed, how to maximize you income in retirement, setting a baseline of where you are today for retirement and other retirement considerations.

With more than 35 years of financial industry experience, Cliff Berg is a member of the Society of Financial Service Professionals (SFSP) and served as that organization’s national president for 2009-2010.  Cliff has also served as President of the Delaware Chapter of the SFSP, President of the New Castle County Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors—Delaware.  He is also a member of the Estate Planning Council of Delaware and the Wilmington Tax Group.  He conducts seminars and is a frequent speaker for businesses and organizations.  He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Juniata College in Huntington, PA and a Master of Science degree in financial services from the American College.  He is a registered representative with Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation, as well as a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and Accredited Estate Planner (AEP).  Cliff also volunteers extensively with the American Cancer Society and has served on that organization’s national board.

Joseph E Biloon CFP, Financial House

Basic Investment Selection and Allocation
How to invest and allocate your fun in your retirement account for maximum benefits!

Joe Biloon is a Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor, Associate Investment Consultant and Retirement Planning Specialist.  He received a Bachelor of Science degree in operations management from the University of Delaware.  Since entering the financial services industry in 2000, he has specialized in retirement planning and asset allocation strategies.  He is an active member of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, as well as the Brandywine Naamans Rotary Club.  Joe is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Securities.

Ned Blair, Tourism Development Leader, Meetings & Conventions; Delaware Tourism Office

Tourism: It’s More Than a Business, It’s a Partnership
The tourism industry generates billions of dollars in revenue nationwide.  Delaware parks play a pivitoal role in promoting the First State as a premier tourist destination.  Learn how you can leverage partnerships to increase tourism to Delaware and create a positive impact on the State’s economy.

With over ten years in the hospitality industry, Ned Blair has managed sales efforts at the Atlantic Sands Hotel and Conference Center, the Inn at Canal Square, Kent County Delaware Convention and Visitors Bureau, Dover Downs Hotel and Casino and the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina in Cambridge, Maryland.  In May of 2010, Ned joined the Delaware Tourism Office as their Tourism Development Leader for Meetings and Conventions.  He has been involved in various industry professional organizations such as Meeting Professional International (MPI), American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI)and Destination Marketing Association International.  Ned has also served on the Boards of the Virginia Chapters of ASAE & HSMAI, the Potomac Chapter of MPI and is currently the Co-Chair of the Membership Recruitment Committee for the Philadelphia Chapters of MPI.

Tom Blomstrom, NRPA-MARN Past Chairperson, with NRPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Network (MARN)

What is the NRPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Network (MARN)?An inspiring overview of the National Parks and Recreation Association Mid-Atlantic Regional Network including formation, structure, goals and how to get more involved.

Tom Blomstrom has served in executive level municipal government for 20 years as a Managing Consultant, Parks and Recreation Director, and Recreation Superintendent.  Tom has served as Chairman, Treasurer, and Pennsylvania Professional Representative to the NRPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Council, now known as the NRPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Network.  Tom has been an active member of the Pennsylvania Parks and Recreation Society serving as an elected DIII Member-at-Large and on the PA Governmental Affairs Committee.

Tom Blomstrom has over 20 years of experience with a vast network of professionals in the East Coast Region performing Strategic Consulting Management, Marketing and Sales, Project Development, Team Building and Motivational Services.  His specialties include business plan design and review, operations and fiscal analysis, fundraising, image and brand management, event management, grant writing and business venture product development.  Tom is President and CEO of The Blomstrom Consulting Network at tblomstrom@verizon.net.

Michael Brandwein, educator/author/speaker

Leading Outstanding Teams in Recreation & Parks
From the author of the bestselling Super Staff SuperVision, this session is packed with practical, specific, and highly effective techniques you can use right away to increase communication, positive problem-solving, teamwork, motivation, and boost staff performance. Increase support for others to help them do their best work while building greater trust and creativity, reducing talk behind backs, and increasing openness, flexibility, and ongoing improvement in services.

The Top Terrific Staff Training Techniques
Nothing is more important than how we train our staff! The bestselling author of the number one staff training books in the field, Training Terrific Staff Volumes 1 & 2, demonstrates how to maximize staff learning in seasonal and other staff with these outstanding teaching techniques and activities. Grab the attention of every staff person while increasing motivation, participation, retention, and application of skills to make immediate differences in your programs. And while you are using excellent training tools, you’ll be modeling for staff how to be excellent instructors and leaders!

Karen Cappiella, Director of Research, with Center for Watershed Protection

Urban Watershed Management
This session covers the impacts of urbanization on water resources, and provides an overview of a planning approach to managing forests at the watershed scale.  It also includes a discussion of actions to reduce impacts with specific focus on parklands (e.g. tree planting, reduced fertilizer and pesticide use).

Karen Cappiella is Director of Research at the Center for Watershed Protection.  The Center’s mission is to protect, restore and enhance our streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands and bays.  Karen has more than 10 years experience in watershed planning, researching effective watershed management practices and translating research results for managers.  She has a BA in Geography from Millersville University and an MA in Geography from East Carolina University.

Eric Dawson, Historic Preservation Trade Specialist, with the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation

Preserving Old Buildings
Preserving historic buildings is a challenging and consstant requirement in the park community.  This presentation will cover some of the projects that the Delaware Division of Parks has been involved in, and discuss some of the techniques involved.

After a 20 career as an aircraft mechanic in the United States Air Force, Eric has been employed by the Delaware Division of Parks for the past 5 years.  He has 24 years of construction experience.  Eric is a Certified Lead Paint Abatement Supervisor and Clearance tester.  He holds an Associate’s degree from Wilmington University, and is currently pursuing an MBA in Environmental Stewardship from Wilmington University.

Bob Downing, President and Co-Founder, Delaware Sports League
Social Media and You!
It is important to find ways to use today’s social landscape to foster program growth, community and education. “Social Networking” is often misunderstood and it is important to understand exactly what “Social Networking” means in the world of Parks & Recreation. Moreover it is important to understand the correct use of social networking and how to take this abstract concept and turn it into real results (be them financial or otherwise) for the Parks and Recreation industry as a whole.

Bob Downing is the President & Co-Founder of Delaware Sports League. DSL has grown to be one of the fastest growing businesses in Delaware since 2007. Mr. Downing is considered a self-taught expert on Consumer Behavior. He has been invited to speak on both the graduate and undergraduate levels regarding social networking and media. He has also been invited to Harvard Business School to share his ideas regarding marketing and strategy development with some of the finest minds in the world.

Katelin Mielke Frase, Wetland Educator with Environmental Concern

Rain Gardens: Learning a Stewardship
This session will talk about rain garden basics and their importance to community areas.  Rain gardens are ideal landscape features for parks, community members or those interested in community gardens, to promote conservation landscaping and use as outdoor education habitats in their areas.

Katelin Mielke Frase has a degree in Environmental Studies from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL.  She has been teaching environmental education for six years, over which she has worked on various projects such as working with birds of prey, to large scale restoration projects such as Poplar Island.  Kate has a strong background in wetland ecology from her work with Environmental Concern where she teaches nationwide curriculum courses, WOW! The Wonders of Wetlands and POW! The Planning of Wetlands while spreading wetland education to all ages.

David Halley, Program Director, for the Bear-Glasgow Family YMCA

Learning to Lead Great Games
Games are fun to play, but are you getting the most out of them?  Learn how to maximize your games and turn them into Great Games.  This class attendees will participate in some fun new games while learning a variety of techniques on how to teach activities.  These techniques will help you control your groups and enhance your teaching opportunities.  Let’s make game time and great time.

Day Camp Programming-Planning Play
Learn to maximize your year-round planning and how to sue partent communication to help your program design, registration, and day to day functions.  Also, learn how planning games, songs and developing traditions into your group schedules can make a day at camp a day of play.  This class will provide time for group sharing and Q & A.

David Halley is a Program Director at the Bear-Glasgow Family YMCA with 8 years of experience in the day camp industry.  He has grown camps at the YMCA from 75 camper per week to 375 campers per week.  The camps offer a wide variety of activities including arts & crafts, music, cultural stations, field trips, character development, outdoor games, and swimming.  He oversees multiple camps, including sports, teens, traditional and specialty.  He has also supervised a variety of other children’s programs including before/after school care, teen leaders, youth in government and youth sports.

John Hunter, Sales Manager for American Ramp Company

Skateparks 101
This session will include an overview of every stage of skatepark development, and what it takes to make a skatepark project successful.  There will be discussion regarding every available skatepark construction method and progressive trends in skatepark design and construction.

John Hunter has been involved in the development of over 300 skateparks throughout the world, and he has experience in all facets of skatepark planning, design and construction.  With a degree in business, a background in construction and a lover of sports, John is very much at home in the world of Skate and BMX park development.  John has been a speaker at many state and regional conferences, and is published in several trade magazines.

Julie Johnson, Certification Manager, with National Recreation and Park Association

Professional Certifications-An Overview
Professional cerfitication is extremely valuable to professionals within the field of park and recreation, the organization theywork for and the public that they serve.  By achieving certification you will demonstrate your high level of commitment and knowledge in the field of park and recreation, career and professional accomplishments, and your dedication to professional development.  This session will provideyou with an oversview of the Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO), Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) and Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certifications administered by the National Recreation and Park Association.

Julie Johnson, CRPR, CPSI, AFO is currently the Certification Manager for the National Recreation and Park Association.  In this role she managers over 16,000 national certifications for parks and recreation professionals nationwide including CPRPs, CPSIs and AFOs.  Julie received her Bachlors of Science in Forestry from Purdue University and has been working in the field of parks and recreation for over a decade.  She has field experience in programming, maintenance and administration from past experience serving as the Parks Director for the City of Crown Point, Indiana.  Julie has a passion for continuing education and ensuring that individuals in the field have many avenues through which they can succeeed as professionals.

Susan Lee, Human Resource Specialist III, with the Department of Natural Resource and Environmental Control

Knowledge Transfer
Paticipants will receive practical tools to capture and transfer knowledge that will be beneficial for individuals, supervisors, managers, teams and agencies.

Susan Lee has been with the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control since September of 1999.  Prior to that, she worked for the Department of Correction in Human Resources and for PHRST as a Trainer.  She currently manages the Applicant Services, Classification and Compensation sections in DNREC’s Human Resources Office. 

Christopher Miller, Plant Center Manager/PH Specialist, USDA Natural Conservation Service

Plant Selection for Rain Gardens, Bio-swales & Stormwater Detention Basins
Discussion of plant attributes of species applicable for stormwater BMP’s.

Chris currently serves as Manager of the USDA-NRCS Cape May Plant Materials Center.  He also has co-lateral duties as a plant science consultant to NRCS state and field offices in 9 Southern New England and Mid-Atlantic states.  He primarily makes vegetative recommendations for many NRCS conservation practices, including wetland restoration, as well as for techniques and plant selection for stabilizing disturbed and eroding areas such as dunes, tidal shorelines, streambanks, sand/gravel pits, etc. using native plant materials.

Dawn Morris, Marketing Director for Delaware State Parks

Marketing Your Programs
Here you will get a “brief” description of what true marketing is and what it entails and why they should stay away from certain media outlets.  You will also learn the pitfalls of poor advertising and promotion and why it is so important to know your audience.

Dawn Morris has over 24 years of sales and marketing experience.  She has successfully launched numerous local and national campaigns as well as created and implemented hundreds of special events and expos. Dawn Morris served as the National Marketing Director for Metro Networks, and GE Capital in Los Angeles, CA and Philadelphia, PA before taking her current position as the Marketing Director for Delaware State Parks.

Joe Rogerson, Game Mammal Biologist, with Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife

Is it Possible to Manage Overabundant Wildlife in an Urban Setting?
Management options and techniques for various wildlife species and talk about the hurdles often faced when managing wildlife in urban settings.

Joe Rogerson graduated from West Virginia University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources.  Immediately following graduation he attended the University of Delaware and examinded the impacts of whitetailed deer browsing on soybean yield.  In may 2005, he completed coursework and field research and received a Master of Science degree in Wildlife Ecology.  After graduation and a brief stint as a nutria trapper with USDA Wildlife Services, he became the game mammal biologist with the Delaware Division of Fish Wildlife.

Thomas J. Shuster, Director of Recreation and Parks,
Ocean City Recreation and Parks

Current trends in Recreation & Parks in Ocean City and its Impact
Learn what Ocean City, Maryland has been doing to project the benefits of Recreation & Parks to the residents and stakeholders, and how they have embarked on a strategy of “Repositioning” as a means to strengthen their relevance in a sluggish economy.

Tom Shuster has served as Director of Recreation and Parks for the Town of Ocean City, Maryland since 1998.  The Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department is a full service municipal recreation and parks agency serving a peak seasonal population of over 300,000 residents and visitors.  Tom has been an active member of the Maryland Recreation & Parks Association and is currently serving as its President. In addition, Tom is a Certified Park & Recreation Professional (CPRP).  Prior to his arrival in Ocean City, Tom Shuster served as the Director-Secretary of the Summit County Metro Parks in Akron, Ohio, the Executive Director of the Waukegan Park District in Waukegan, Illinois, the Director of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Community Services for the Township of East Brunswick, New Jersey and Administrator of Recreation Services for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.  He earned his B.S. Degree in Biological Sciences and M.S. Degree in Natural Resources from The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.  Tom, his wife Debbie and their two sons, Eric and Tim, live in West Ocean City, Maryland.

Lt. George Stanko, LT. Traffic Division, Newark Police Department & Sharon Bruen, Recreation Supervisor, Newark Parks & Recreation Department

Emergency Planning for Special Events
This session will include information about partnering with local police, fire and EMS services in order to respond to and prevent injuries throughout large special events.  It will also include information about streamlining communications, establishing field positions and intercept points for emergency responders, and create a behind the scenes network of special services to support large events without spoiling the fun.

Lt. George Stanko and Sharon Bruen have been working together on large community events in Newark since 2008.  Lt. Stanko has been a law enforcement officer with the City of Newark since 1986.  Sharon has been the Community Events Coordinator for the City of Newark since 1999.  Lt. Stanko and Sharon, along with representatives from the University of Delaware and AETNA Hose, Hook and Ladder, coordinate and implement plans for community event throughout the year.

Patrick W. Sterrett, Scout Executive/CEO, with the Boy Scouts of America, Del-Mar-Va Council, Inc.

Making the Decision to Work with Volunteers
It is a big decision to have a large volunteer contingent.  Mr. Sterrett will discuss the pros and cons and the highs and lows of working with volunteers.  And he will talk about how to understand the various strenghts and weaknesses of volunteers/people.

Maximizing Volunteer Potential and What to do With a Bad Apple
Ways to maximize volunteers with specific jobs, jobs that vary in length and commitment and how to ask them to do it.  He will also discuss strategies in dealing with a “bad apple.”

Patrick has worked for the Boy Scouts of America for over 22 years in various capacities in New Hampshire and Washington, DC, and has been in Wilmington since September of 2004.  Patrick graduated from Susquehanna University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science.  Patrick is an active volunteer with his church, the  Downtown Wilmington Rotary and as Scoutmaster of Troop 301.  He serves on the United Way of Delaware’s board and is chair of their Council of Agency Executives.  When Patrick is not working he enjoys canoeing, hiking, golfing (handicap of 7) and watching Notre Dame football.  Patrick is an Eagle Scout and has been married to Lori for 20 years, and they have 3 sons ages 17, 14 and 12.

William G. Stewart, Jr., Practice Leader-CM/CEI, with KCI Technologies

Introduction to Pavement Management
Pavement management is the process of overseeing the maintenance and repair of a network of roadways.  This session will focus on the importance of maintaining a quality pavement inventory, predicting pavement performances and planning the proper timing and repair treatments necessary to achieve the desired service life.

William G. Stewart, Jr. has twenty plus years of experience in construction management and inspection.  During his career, he has managed projects ranging in size from $100,000.00 to $100,000,000.00 in construction cost.  In June 2010, Mr. Stewart joined KCI Technologies (Sparks, MD) as a Practice Leader for their Construction Management discipline.  Prior to joining KCI, he served as an Area Engineer for DelDOT’s Pavement Rehabilitation Program in New Castle County.  Mr. Stewart is a member and past president of the American Society of Highway Engineers-First State Section.  He is a graduate of Temple University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil & Construction Engineering Technology with an Associate’s dgress in Building Construction & Engineering.