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CPRS June Challenge - Come Introduce Yourself!

  • 1.  CPRS June Challenge - Come Introduce Yourself!

    Posted 06-13-2024 03:56 PM

    Hello D11 Members!  Last month, CPRS launched monthly CPRS District and Section Challenges.  For June, the challenge is to introduce ourselves using this "Communities" platform on the CPRS website.  I am creating this thread to kick things off and get D11 on the board!  It is our time to shine and show the other districts that we are invested professionals ready to beat the competition!  

    For this challenge, we ask that you take a few minutes to introduce yourself to your fellow D11 members and tell us how you first learned about CPRS!  I will get things started...

    My name is Jake Velasco, I am a Community Services Coordinator II for the City of Chino Hills and the current D11 president elect.  I first learned about CPRS years ago as a leader in the City of Chino.  As a leader, I was able to participate in annual trainings such as the Region 4 Mini Conference, School of Rec, and many others.  These trainings really introduced me to the Rec profession as a whole, but it wasn't until I attended a Long Beach Conference as a specialist that I knew this was the field for me!  Now, 12-years later, I have a BS in Parks & Recreation Management and am working on obtaining my CPRP thanks to the D11 Scholarship.  Like all of you, I absolutely love what I do and very much look forward to hearing your stories!

    I hope you all take some time to introduce yourselves, not just for this challenge, but to learn a little more about your colleagues in our surrounding area. I promise you don't have to write a biography like I did.  Keep it simple!  Don't forget to share this challenge with other members so we can blow the other Districts and Sections, out of the park! (Pun intended!)  



    ------------------------------
    Jake Velasco
    Community Services Coordinator
    City of Chino Hills
    Chino Hills CA
    (909) 364-2701
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: CPRS June Challenge - Come Introduce Yourself!

    Posted 06-13-2024 05:39 PM
    Edited by Stan Clark 06-13-2024 05:40 PM

    Hello D11 Friends!

    I'm Stan Clark, Community Services Supervisor (Aquatics & Sports) with the City of Fontana - where I've worked since 2015 - it's a great place to work!  I'm also pleased to serve among an amazing group of individuals on both the D11 Board and the Aquatics Section Board as this year's Aquatics Section President.  Both groups have some exciting plans for this year - be sure to get involved!

    Aside from work, I travel quite a bit... I'm up to about 12 countries - including lots of places where I can enjoy the ocean - Australia was one of my favorites.  I have  a few trips on the horizon including Peru, Barbados, and Africa.  I love the outdoors, so when I vacation closer to home, it's usually at the Colorado River or finding enjoyment in Utah with some snowboarding or off-roading.

    I look forward to reading some fun stuff about all of you - keep it coming - and have a great summer!



    ------------------------------
    Stan Clark
    Community Services Supervisor
    City of Fontana Community Services Department
    Fontana CA
    (909) 349-6912
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: CPRS June Challenge - Come Introduce Yourself!

    Posted 06-13-2024 06:01 PM

    Hey there, D11 Friends!

     

    I'm Ramon Ramirez, and I've been the Community Services Program Coordinator with the City of Corona for about 7 months now. It's truly an amazing place to be!

     

    A little about me: I absolutely love sports. I mean, I can rewatch a seemingly meaningless basketball game between Charlotte and New Orleans and be just as intrigued as if it were the Lakers vs. Celtics Game 7. I also enjoy spending quality time with family and friends, cooking, and listening to music, especially country music. Additionally, I'm a big fan of the outdoors, just like Stan - whether it's hiking, swimming, playing basketball, or simply hanging out at the beach.

     

    I'm really looking forward to learning more about all of you. I Hope all your programs, activities, and events run as smoothly as planned this summer!

     

     

    A picture containing text, sign Description automatically generated

    Ramon Ramirez
    Community Services Program Coordinator
    P: (951) 736-2283 
    365 North Main Street
    Corona, CA 92882
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: CPRS June Challenge - Come Introduce Yourself!

    Posted 06-14-2024 09:26 AM

    Hi D11 members!!!

     

    In an effort to win this friendly challenge, I am here to introduce myself and share a few things about myself with y'all!

     

    Name: Candice Smith

    Agency: City of Ontario

    Title: Recreation and Community Services Manager

    Years in Recreation: This July it will be 24 years!

    Fun Facts:

    • I'm your CPRS Region 4 Representative
    • I love to be outdoors, working out, eating well, and exploring mom-and-pop coffee shops on the weekends!
    • I am an aunt to 14 nieces and nephews and being an aunt is one of my favorite things!

     

    I can't wait to hear more about D11 and meet you all!

     

    Candice N. Smith (she/her)

    Recreation & Community Services Manager

    City of Ontario Recreation & Community Services Department

    1265 S. Palmetto Ave. Ontario CA 91762

    (909) 395-2507

    Csmith@ontarioca.gov ~ www.OntarioCA.gov/Recreation

     






  • 5.  RE: CPRS June Challenge - Come Introduce Yourself!

    Posted 06-14-2024 10:10 AM

    Hello.

     

    I'm not certain why I'm receiving this email. Could you please remove me from this feed.

     

    Thank you

     

    Dona Smith

     




    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: CPRS June Challenge - Come Introduce Yourself!

    Posted 06-14-2024 04:48 PM
    Edited by Samantha Ochoa 06-17-2024 09:01 AM

    Hi D11,

    I'm Sam Ochoa and I am a Senior Recreation and Community Services Supervisor with the City of Ontario. On July 1, I will be completing my first year in this position and will also be completing my 11th year with the department since I began part-time in 2013. I currently oversee the Ontario Senior Center and all its offerings, along with our Active Seniors on the Go programs throughout the department. 

    I first learned about CPRS as a part-time staff back in 2020 in Long Beach (yes, right when the pandemic hit!) when I got a last-minute chance to attend the conference for a day. I've been lucky to attend CPRS for the past 3 years and win a free registration to go back to the conference in Sacramento in 2025! I'm excited to begin to get involved with the Aging section this year. My favorite thing about CPRS is being able to learn from everyone else in the field and bond over similar experiences working with our communities.

    Excited to meet ya'll virtually on here and possibly meet ya'll in person at events in the future! (:



    ------------------------------
    Samantha Ochoa
    Senior Recreation & Community Services Supervisor
    City of Ontario
    Ontario, CA
    (909) 395-2383
    SamanthaOchoa@ontarioca.gov
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: CPRS June Challenge - Come Introduce Yourself!

    Posted 06-17-2024 10:51 AM

    Hey D11!

    My name is Bianca Morales, I am a Community Services Supervisor for the City of Fontana and the current D11 Vice President. I have worked for Fontana for 16 years and was in the City of Rancho Cucamonga prior to that. I stumbled into recreation almost 20 years ago as a Marketing Intern and have loved every step of it. My first experience with CPRS was early on in my recreation career when a mentor encouraged me to apply for a CPRS scholarship that I won and paid for my attendance to my very first conference. Throughout my years I have had the pleasure to attend a number of different trainings and conferences with CPRS. Fast forward to last year when I realized I had a desire to get even more involved so I asked around and joined D11 as the Rec Section Rep where I met some amazing individuals that I love serving along side of.

    Outside of work I am a mom to two beautiful broke besties/recreation staff in training who occupy most of my free time :)

    I look forward to learning more about you all and hopefully having the opportunity meet you!



    ------------------------------
    Bianca Morales
    Community Services Supervisor
    City of Fontana Community Services Department
    Fontana CA
    (909) 349-6946
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: CPRS June Challenge - Come Introduce Yourself!

    Posted 06-17-2024 10:59 AM

    Hi District 11!

    My name is Taylor Smith and I have spent the past 4 years with Coast Recreation learning the ins and outs of playgrounds and water play and absolutely love what I do.  Prior to that, I worked at Richard Fisher Associates for 15 years where the focus is on public agency landscape architectural needs.  I had the privilege of working with my dad (owner of RFA) who encouraged my participation with CPRS D10 where I served on the Board managing sponsorships for 3 years.  I am just beginning my 3rd year on the D11 Board where I have been tasked with restarting and managing their sponsorships program.

    I first learned about CPRS from my dad, Dick Fisher, who just last year, was the first CPRS private agency member to receive the Fellowship Hall of Fame / Lifetime Achievement Award. I attended my first CPRS conference in 3rd grade up in Sacramento and can honestly say that no other industry has professional that love their jobs as much the park at rec industry!

    #MyJobisaWalkInthePark



    ------------------------------
    Taylor Smith
    Sales Consultant / Play Specialist
    Coast Recreation Inc.
    Fontana CA
    (909) 767-0201
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: CPRS June Challenge - Come Introduce Yourself!

    Posted 06-17-2024 02:14 PM

    Hello all,

    Let's win this thing!  I'm the managing landscape architect for Albert A. Webb Associates.    We are located in Riverside.  I've been in the industry for 36 years and just getting back into CPRS.  I've been blessed with a wide range of experiences in the industry that has giving me the tools to help out in a variety of situations.  We hope to serve the best we can!



    ------------------------------
    Jeffrey Hutchins
    Manager, Landscape Architecture
    Albert A. Webb Associates
    Riverside CA
    (951) 248-4281
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: CPRS June Challenge - Come Introduce Yourself!

    Posted 06-17-2024 02:42 PM

    Hi D11 members!

     

    Love some friendly competition!

     

    Name: Ismael "Izzy" Medina

    Agency: City of Ontario

    Title: Recreation and Community Services Coordinator

    I joined the Recreation & Community Services Department for the City of Ontario in June 2016 and have been in my role since August of 2021. I first learned about CPRS due to a great Sr. Supervisor I had who encouraged me to go to my first CPRS Conference in Sacramento in 2022. I absolutely fell in love with this field after seeing the impact that we could make in our day to day programming!

    Fun Facts:

    • I am a proud father to an adventurous 1-year-old boy.
    • I am a huge coffee addict and love to try new restaurants.
    • I began my time in Ontario as a teen volunteer for the same volunteer organization that I now oversee!  

     

    I can't wait to hear more about D11 and meet you all! Lets win!

     

    Logo Description automatically generated

    Ismael A. Medina 

    Recreation & Community Services Coordinator

    City of Ontario Recreation & Community Services

    De Anza Community & Teen Center 

    Main: (909) 395- 2030 • Direct: (909) 395-2485

    imedina@ontarioca.gov

    Follow Ontario CLC!      

     

     

     

     




    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: CPRS June Challenge - Come Introduce Yourself!

    Posted 06-17-2024 03:14 PM

    Hey D11 friends!

    My name is Cynthia Valenzuela and I am a Community Services Coordinator for the City of Eastvale. I am also your D11 Treasurer :)

    I remember first learning about CPRS when I was an intern for the City of Whittier PRCS department and I heard friends talking about attending CPRS conference, I wanted so bad to be a part of CPRS and now here I am being able to connect with so many wonderful people!

    Outside of Parks & Rec I enjoy traveling, watching movies, and spending time with friends. I recently went sky diving and really enjoyed it, I hope to do it again soon!  I am looking forward to getting to know more D11 peeps and hopefully will see some of you at conference next year! #LetsWinThis 



    ------------------------------
    Cynthia Valenzuela
    City of Eastvale
    Eastvale CA
    (951) 7034419
    ------------------------------



  • 12.  RE: CPRS June Challenge - Come Introduce Yourself!

    Posted 06-18-2024 11:03 AM

    Hello District 11,

     

    My government name is Alvaro Lemus, but I go by Joey. I am the current Senior Recreation and Community Services Supervisor with the City of Ontario, and I oversee our contract classes, facility reservations, scholarship program, logistics and most recently took on our Ontario Living Magazine, which is our recreation magazine. Although I've only been with the City of Ontario for a few years, my Rec days started in 2007 as a recreation attendant with the City of Rancho Cucamonga.  

     

    As I worked my way through my recreation career, I got to experience all of the training and mini-conferences CPRS put on to help develop me in my part-time role. As I was promoted to full-time, I got to experience my first full conference and was lucky enough to go to CPRS conferences for the past three years!  I really enjoy the rekindled passion I get during the conference. Hearing the stories, learning new skills, meeting new colleagues, and of course having fun! It just reminds me why I'm in this line of work!

     

    Outside of Rec, I'm still in Rec! I play in a few adult sports leagues and love coaching my nieces and nephews in soccer. I am an outdoors enthusiast, spending much time off-roading, camping, and fishing.

     

    It was a pleasure meeting you virtually, and if I don't know you, I can't wait to meet you in person!

     

     

     

    Alvaro (Joey) Lemus

    City of Ontario

    Senior Recreation and Community Services Supervisor

    Alemus@ontarioca.gov

    (909) 395-2020 Ext. 2370

     




    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: CPRS June Challenge - Come Introduce Yourself!

    Posted 06-27-2024 09:43 AM

    Hi District 11!,

    I'm Cheryl Salazar! I started as a lifeguard for the City of Fontana and worked there for 5 years, finishing my time there as a Pool Manager. I then worked for Riverside County Regional Parks & Open Space District helping them open The Cove Waterpark as well as DropZone Waterpark in my 6 years there. I then went to the City of San Marcos in North County San Diego as an Aquatics Supervisor where I oversaw the two flat water pools they have, was the staff lead of their non-profit, staff liaison to the Parks & Recreation and Youth Commissions, and managed the department marketing and social media including our web pages and creating and editing the city's Recreation Guide. 
    I decided I wanted a break to go and travel so I spent 6 weeks in Costa Rica surfing and hiking and then came back stateside, bought a van and traveled the country for about 9 months sort of following the professional disc golf tour! Our travels came to an end when my fiancé's mother needed some help at home with her health so we are now with her in San Bernardino. It's nice to be back in the IE!

    Some of the fun things I do are surfing, hiking, playing disc golf but I also love live music, cooking, and doing the work I do now that is directly in support of what you all do. 

    I had the opportunity in my time off to become an entrepreneur x2. One company is PLAYCE Studio where we train people in playful community engagement techniques that produce meaningful outcomes including consensus and project champions. The second company is High Road Management Training where we empower managers with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to lead effectively and confidently, blending structured systems with innovative solutions for sustainable success. I hope that as you all need support or just a friendly sounding board, you'll reach out to me. I'm happy to listen and share ideas.

    Now, let's win this competition! 



    ------------------------------
    Cheryl Salazar
    Managing Partner
    PLAYCE Studio, Ltd
    North Tonawanda NY
    (909) 714-0284
    ------------------------------



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