Project Manager, Event Management, Recreation
Resume:
Chris A. Wilsman
Temporary (moving to Chicago in October-40 E. Oak St.)
Lakeland, FL 33803
************@*****.***
Summary of Qualifications:
*Senior management experience with Community Centers, Civic Centers and the IBM Convention Center.
*Extensive experience developing/planning/marketing youth, teen, adult recreation and special events.
*Seasoned professional in hiring, training and coaching FT, PT and seasonal employees, interns and volunteers.
*Negotiating experience with over 50 regional and community agencies to solicit support or partnership for joint strategies.
*Developed, managed and implemented initiatives for indoor and outdoor facilities (convention & community centers, gymnasiums & fitness centers, parks, amphitheatre, indoor tennis complex, softball complex, ice rink & a sports stadium).
*Masters Degree in Recreation Administration - Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL & Adjunct Professor for UNC-Chapel Hill & Trinity International University
*National Recreation and Parks Association “NRPA Certified Parks & Recreation Professional”
Work Experience
City of Plant City, Plant City, FL November, 2010 – Present
Recreation Center Manager - Responsibilities include managing center, schedule meeting rentals, weddings, special events, community programs, summer camps, work with local non-profits & schools and schedule activities for auxiliary historic visitor’s center.
• Managerial Responsibilities – Enforce policies and codes. Evaluate and ensure client & instructors satisfaction and manage a summer staff of 8 and 6 volunteers (hiring, developing and coaching).
• Financial Responsibilities – Manage center’s budget & handle registrations using the ActiveNet financial system.
• Park Responsibilities –Maintain adjoining park and playground and department storage building.
• Programming Responsibilities – Initiate and organize community programs and special events.
Wilsman Productions, Inc., Lakeland, FL October 2008 – November 2010
Incorporated as a consultant to develop and promote special events, supervise staff & interns and to manage recreation facilities for clients in Brevard, Flagler and Volusia Counties.
Client – Cocoa Expo Sports Center, Cocoa, FL September 2009 – February 2010
Contracted as the Associate Athletic Director – Responsibilities include planning, recruiting and marketing annual special events and their year-round high school and collegiate athletic (baseball, soccer, lacrosse, softball) Spring Training programs and seasonal tournaments to schools locally, regionally and nationally. Cultivate partnerships with hoteliers, attractions, restaurants to generate an economic impact in Brevard County through sports & special events.
Client - Space Coast Sports Promotions, Cocoa Beach, FL September 2008 – June 2009
Contracted as the Director of Sales & Marketing – Responsibilities included marketing and sales and cultivating partnerships with hoteliers to generate an economic impact in Brevard County through sports. Also initiated; developed and implemented programs using web page; Radio & TV media (Bright House, ESPN Radio Fl.); assisted with Sports TV show and Print-media (monthly ads w/ Hometown News & Savings Safari).
City of Cocoa, Cocoa, FL November 2005 - September 2008
Manager, Leisure Services – Managed Civic Center (i.e. meeting rentals, weddings) Sports Stadium, Fitness Center, special events, recreation programs, an Outdoor Ice Skating Rink and tenant lease agreements for the Historic Porcher House.
• Managerial Responsibilities – Enforced policies and codes. Evaluated and ensured client & tenant satisfaction and managed a staff of 13 (hiring, developing and coaching). Developed department & employee manuals
• Financial Responsibilities – Managed department budget using HTE financial system (tenant leases and bids).
• Park Responsibilities –Maintenance of parks, a 2,500 seat Sports Stadium, playgrounds; sports fields and splash pad.
• Programming Responsibilities – Initiated and organized youth athletic programs and special events. Developed a senior’s program-“Communities For a Lifetime”. Developed department web page and promotional brochure.
• Community Relationships – Obtained grants from Space Coast Office of Tourism for special events and established partnerships with 10 local associations, tenants and local high schools.
City of Deltona, Deltona, FL October 2003 – October 2005
Director, Parks & Recreation – Managed 17 parks, 56-acre Sports Complex, athletic leagues, recreation/wellness programs and special events, community centers and an outdoor skate park.
• Managerial Responsibilities –Enforced policies and codes. Managed a staff of 34 (hiring, training and coaching)
•Financial Responsibilities – Managed a $2.3 million annual budget, plus 700K for park projects and 500K CDBG. Grants funded: ECHO-$345,000; FRDAP- $200K; LWCF-$150K and Boating Improvement-$145K
• Park Responsibilities – Maintained 191 acres of developed parks; three boat launches; community centers & fields
• Programming Responsibilities – Developed and organized youth programs and special events for 80,000 residents, expanded and developed adult athletic leagues, assisted Event Rights Holders regional soccer tournaments held at Sports Complex and developed dept. web page and brochure. Served on Employee Wellness committee.
• Community Relationships – Established partnerships with 15 local associations, schools and Council on Aging
State Farm Insurance, New Smyrna Beach, FL February 2003 – October 2003
Marketing Sales Specialist – Responsibilities included selling, servicing and promoting products to local businesses. Obtained the 02-15 Resident Life, Health & Variable Annuity & Resident General Lines Property & Casualty licenses
Learning For Life, Jacksonville, FL October 2001 – February 2003
Executive Director of Learning For Life’s “Explorers” program (Boy Scouts of America) – Responsibilities included promotion and selling of the LFL and Explorers Programs in Duval, Ocala and Baker Counties. Expanded “Explorers Program” to provide school based/work-site programs.
• Trained all teachers, principals, post advisors and other volunteers for successful delivery of program.
Sodexho Marriott (IBM account) Research Triangle Park, NC July 2000 – June 2001
General Manager – Managed Convention Center, 40-acre Park, 5,000 sq ft. Fitness center and recreation/wellness programs
• Managerial Responsibilities –Enforced all policies for contract compliance. Evaluated and ensured customer satisfaction for 20,000 employees and managed a staff of 17 (hiring, training and coaching)
• Financial Responsibilities –Managed business unit (Accounts payables, Receivables).Managed $1.12 million budget.
UNC Hospitals, Chapel Hill, NC April 1990 – July 2000
Recreation Manager – Responsibilities included developing and managing fitness centers, leagues, recreation, wellness, discount services, travel and retiree programs for 4,500 employees and families.
• Managerial Responsibilities – Developed and enforced department policies. Evaluate and ensure employee
satisfaction and manage a staff of four employees and 50 contract staff (hiring, training and coaching).
• Programming Responsibilities – Develop, organize and implement over 90 programs including, wellness, athletic leagues, discounts, travel, special events & ergonomics. Created Family/Youth Events and Retirees club.
• Marketing Responsibilities – Developed quarterly newsletters, community outreach brochure and was responsible to present monthly at the “New Employee” orientation, stress management and retirement seminars.
• Contract Negotiation Team – Expanded department offerings by securing a contract with the National Institutes of
Environmental Health Sciences in order to provide a Parks and Recreation program for their 1,700 employees.
Deerfield Park District, Deerfield, IL November, 1987 – April 1990
Recreation and Athletic Supervisor - Responsibilities include planning and managing fitness center, sports leagues and sports camps. Presented monthly reports on cable network and worked with local athletic associations & schools
• Managerial Responsibilities – Hire, develop and manage a staff of 10 contract employees and 50 volunteers (hiring,
training and coaching) Evaluate and ensure customer satisfaction.
• Financial Responsibilities – Responsible for managing program budgets and fitness center
College Park Athletic Club, Deerfield, IL October 1985 – November 1987
Program and Fitness Director – Responsibilities include hiring part-time staff, soliciting corporate memberships, monitoring department budget, purchasing fitness center equipment.
• Financial Responsibilities – Responsible for managing fitness center and generating corporate membership
• Programming Responsibilities – Assisted Event Rights Holder (Chicago-Area Tennis Association) with annual tournament, taught racquetball classes/tournaments and wellness programs for members and guests. Created an internship program.
YMCA, Oregon, OH August, 1983 - October 1985
Health & Physical Education Director - Responsibilities include planning a full range of programs for children and adults.
• Sold memberships to local agencies and presented YMCA programs to local companies and service organizations.
• Taught daily exercise classes and developed a weekly Senior exercise program “Becoming Active Over 50”
• Event Rights Holder for Toledo area “Corporate Olympics” with 20 companies participating and the Event Rights Holder for City-wide Great Pumpkin 10K race with over 3,000 runners.
Related Experiences
• Visiting Professor, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC: College of Arts and Sciences, Curriculum in Parks and Recreation Administration. August – December, 3 years
• Visiting Professor, Trinity International University, Deerfield, IL; Health & Physical Education
• Founder and President of the North Carolina Chapter of Employee Services Management (ESM)
• Served as the State Punt, Pass & Kick Coordinator for the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association.
• Two year starter on College Varsity Basketball and Tennis teams
• Worked two summers during college as a ride operator and maintenance crew for Marriott’s Six Flags in Gurnee, IL
Professional Honors
• UNC Hospitals Recreation program earned CEO, Eric Munson, “Employer of the Year” award, ESM
• Recipient of ESM’s Eastwood Award for best overall program in the U.S. with 5,000 employees
• ESM Certified Employee Services and Recreation Administrator
• “Plus People Award” recipient for Employee of the Year (2x)- UNC Hospitals
• North Carolina Governor’s Council, Health and Fitness Worksite Award Recipient
• “Young Professional of the Year Award” recipient, Illinois Parks and Recreation Association
• Illinois Parks and Recreation Association “Certified Leisure Professional”
Publications
• “Programming for the 24-Hour Employee”, Employee Services Management
• “Management’s View of Employee Services and Recreation Programs”, Employee Services Management
Education
Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL
M.S. Recreation and Leisure Administration;
Trinity International University, Deerfield, IL
B.A. Physical Education;
University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse, WI
Major: Recreation Administration;
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