Meet the Staff: Conferences and Education.

The Conferences and Education staff not only planned this year's NRPA Congress in San Antonio, but are responsible for all schools and conferences during the year. Needless to say, this group is quite busy. They took a few moments out of their day to tell us a little more about themselves.

Vicki Hawarden, Director

She may be a new director to NRPA (she has been here six months), but Hawarden is no stranger to event planning. At her previous position at the American Association of Blood Banks, she was responsible for planning a large convention and other education programs. She enjoys her new position in parks and recreation, because she believes in protecting natural spaces. Coming from the University of Oklahoma, Hawarden and her husband enjoy watching college football (he's from University of Texas) and rooting on their respective alma maters.

Diane Bombard, Meeting Planner

Bombard has worked for NRPA for two years, planning multiple conferences and schools as well as serving as liaison to the New England, Mid Atlantic and Pacific regions. Prior to coming to the association, she spent 15 years planning more than 100 meetings annually for the National Automobile Dealers Association. In her spare time she enjoys bowling, and even placed first in the Washington, D.C., Area Women's Bowling Tournament in 2001.

Carmela Brittingham, Meeting Coordinator

Brittingham is a perfect fit for NRPA--she loves many kinds of outdoor recreation including camping, canoeing, backpacking and anything where she can enjoy nature's beauty. She graduated from George Mason University with a Health, Fitness and Recreation degree. She assists with a multitude of projects for the department including evaluation reports and database management.

Matt Danzig, Exhibits Coordinator

After starting at NRPA as a meeting coordinator, Danzig is responsible for exhibit and sponsorship sales of the National Aquatic Conference and regional events. He has a degree from George Mason University. He enjoys playing sports, as well as being at the beach.

Cynthia Davis, Exposition Manager

Davis' responsibilities at NRPA include selling exhibit space and sponsorships for the annual Congress and Exposition, as well as overseeing exhibits at all regional events. She has more than 25 years experience in the association field. She also enjoys cooking in her newly renovated kitchen, and can often be found entertaining friends with her culinary delights.

Jennifer Griffith, Meeting Planner

Since coming on board in early 2005, Griffith has handled several schools and conferences for NRPA, including the National Institute on Recreation Inclusion and the Southeast Regional Conference. She is a certified meeting planner, and has done events management for groups like Courtesy Associates and Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals. "Parks are so important," she said. "I feel like I'm making a difference by working at NRPA."

Alex Nichols, Education and Training Manager

Nichols comes to NRPA after spending nine years working as a park and recreation professional with Cleveland Metroparks. She spent time as a park ranger, and soon became chief of administrative and recreation services. This experience serves her well in her position with NRPA, where she develops training opportunities for members. Most of her hobbies also involve being outdoors, except when she's watching movies. This self-described movie aficionado enjoys independent films and comedies.

Jessica Pagonis, Meeting Planner

Since October 2003, Pagonis has been handling all the logistics for several NRPA schools. She also serves as liaison to the Great Lakes, Mid West and Southwest regions. Prior to coming to NRPA, she worked for five years at the Optical Society of America managing meetings and conferences. Even though she is an avid gardener, Pagonis also enjoys watching movies. When her 1-year-old allows her, she also enjoys scrapbooking and quilting.

Lisa Perrin, Registration Coordinator

As registration coordinator, Perrin manages registration for NRPA schools and conferences. As an outdoor enthusiast and past forest service employee with a degree in Environmental Science from the University of Pittsburgh, she loves all aspects of recreation. In her free time, she enjoys traveling.

Meredith Thomas, Meeting and Event Manager

Thomas' primary function at NRPA is handling the many details that go into planning NRPA's Congress and Exposition. She's responsible for scheduling, housing, staffing, transportation and coordination of the event as a whole. She has more than six years experience in event planning, and also has three years experience in public relations and graphic design. In addition to her job at NRPA, Thomas regularly sings the National Anthem at professional sporting events in the Washington, D.C., area.