Botten who currently works as an accessibility consultant joined the U.S. Access Board in 2000 and served for 22 years (retired in 2022) in several capacities while on staff including as a senior accessibility specialist, technical assistance coordinator, and the training coordinator. He was part of a team that developed the combined guidelines for the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Architectural Barriers Act and was the lead staff for the development of guidelines and technical assistance materials for the rulemaking on outdoor developed areas. Bill specializes in accessibility issues related to recreation facilities and outdoor developed areas.

Jennifer Skulski has more than 30-years professional experience as a consultant, instructor, and researcher advocating for the inclusion of people with disabilities in parks, recreation, and tourism. She has diverse expertise in the accessibility standards specific to recreation facilities and outdoor recreation environments, program access, policy development, transition planning, and universal design. She has conducted accessibility assessments of more than 60 national parks and 2,000 municipal park and recreation facilities.  She has authored numerous articles on ADA compliance and served as the principal researcher for the U.S. Access Board’s longitudinal study on the accessibility of playground surfaces.  

Joy Kuebler, RLA, ASLA is Trustee for the NY Upstate Chapter ASLA, and President of Joy Kuebler Landscape Architect, PC an award winning firm with work focusing on the human experience in the landscape. Joy has shared her experience of empowerment through play from the TEDx stage and successfully uses play to empower communities and inform her design process.

Joy was recognized as the 2016 Ellen Shipman Distinguished Private Practitioner by the NYUASLA Chapter. Her firm has been recognized as a Buffalo Fast Track Company and one of Key Banks’ Most Innovative Small Businesses. In 2020 Joy launched a new company; PLAYCE Studio, which has the mission of transforming the world of engagement and design.

Cheryl graduated from California Baptist University’s Master of Public Administration program with a passion for community and recreation. Cheryl has over 15 years in the recreation industry including with the City of Fontana, Riverside County and City of San Marcos, California. She has managed operations, marketing, training, budgeting, nonprofits and events over the years.  

Her professional career started as a lifeguard in her hometown which grew her enthusiasm and creativity for helping people. As she moved up in her field, she was involved in expanding engagement opportunities to the communities her employers served. Cheryl is now an entrepreneur and involved with PLAYCE Studio as a partner.

Lloyd Reese has 30 years of experience in the ideation and development of products serving the play and recreation market. He actively serves on numerous ASTM, CSA, and ISO play related committees and is currently vice chair of ASTM F08.63 Playground surfacing systems. Lloyd is also a founding member of IPEMA and is currently serving his second term as president of that organization, in addition to chairing the IPEMA surfacing certification program and serving on the equipment certification committee.

Dr. Kimberly Clevenger, PhD, MPH is PlayCore’s Director of Research and Resources and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Science at Utah State University, where she leads research on promoting and measuring children’s physical activity. Her research explores how built environments—like schoolyards and classrooms—influence free-play, specifically how play behaviors vary across time and space. With a PhD in Kinesiology from Michigan State University, an MPH in Quantitative Methods from Harvard, and postdoctoral training at the National Cancer Institute, she brings a rich interdisciplinary foundation to her work. 

 Dr. Muntazar Monsur is an Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture at Texas Tech University and an engaged scholar specializing in environment–behavior research focused on early childhood environments. His research and funded projects (over $2.7M) examine how play-supportive landscapes advance children’s health, well-being, curiosity, creativity, and early learning. He leads Texas Tech’s XR Lab, exploring the use of immersive technologies (VR/AR/MR) to enhance design research and education, and created the graduate studio Landscape for Learning, where students partner with communities on design-build and research projects. Dr. Monsur’s work has earned multiple teaching and engagement awards and is featured in Landscape Architecture Magazine.

Amanda Espinoza is a passionate advocate for inclusion and outdoor access, with over a decade of experience in therapeutic recreation, inclusive programming and education, and community engagement. As the Inclusion and Adaptive Sports Specialist at Montgomery Parks, she leads efforts to ensure individuals with disabilities can fully participate in and enjoy parks, programs, and public events.

Her work focuses on fulfilling the promise of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act by coordinating individualized supports—such as trained support staff, ASL interpreters, and adaptive equipment—and advancing inclusive strategies across the park system. Amanda also plays a key role in developing and implementing adaptive recreation opportunities, including programs like adaptive mountain biking and kayaking.

Juliet Shoultz is a Transportation Systems Engineer at the U.S Access Board. In her role, she serves as the lead technical staff on accessible transportation, with a portfolio that includes accessible transportation in the public right-of-way, transportation vehicles, electric vehicle charging stations as well as passenger vessels and other emerging technologies in transportation. She has fifteen years of experience in transportation planning and engineering for state government, including leading the development and implementation ADA transition plans. As a subject matter expert on accessible transportation, Shoultz has been an active participant as a member of National Cooperative Highway Research Program panels and Transportation Research Board (TRB) standing committees. She currently serves as a member of the TRB Standing Committee on Mobility of Older Persons and Individuals with Disabilities.

Todd Grugel is the ADA Program Engineer for the Minnesota Department of Transportation. In 2010 Todd started MnDOT’s ADA Engineering Unit that oversees accessible pedestrian scoping, design, and construction for all MnDOT highway improvement projects. Currently the unit is supporting MnDOT’s efforts to aggressively complete its ADA Transition Plan in a 20-year timeframe by upgrading curb ramps, sidewalks, and accessible pedestrian signals on roadway reconstruction and preservation projects. The Unit develops MnDOT’s accessibility standards and offers ADA training in both construction certification and design.  Todd regularly presents nationally on accessible pedestrian design and shares his personal experiences using a manual wheelchair.

Botten who currently works as an accessibility consultant joined the U.S. Access Board in 2000 and served for 22 years (retired in 2022) in several capacities while on staff including as a senior accessibility specialist, technical assistance coordinator, and the training coordinator. He was part of a team that developed the combined guidelines for the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Architectural Barriers Act and was the lead staff for the development of guidelines and technical assistance materials for the rulemaking on outdoor developed areas. Bill specializes in accessibility issues related to recreation facilities and outdoor developed areas.

Nic Niebel is the General Manager of a U.S.-based manufacturer specializing in aluminum bleachers and grandstands, overseeing engineering, operations, and product strategy. He has spent his career in manufacturing and has held engineering and leadership roles with two different bleacher and grandstand manufacturers, giving him broad perspective across design, fabrication, and delivery of spectator seating systems.

Nic has served as a Manufacturing Engineer, Engineering Manager, Director of Engineering, and now General Manager, leading cross-functional teams responsible for the design, analysis, and production of bleachers and grandstands for schools, parks, and municipal facilities nationwide. His experience includes compliance with ICC-300, IBC, and ADA requirements, as well as successfully completing a California Division of the State Architect (DSA) pre-check for bleacher systems.

Motivated by how these structures bring communities together through shared celebrations, Nic focuses on bridging design intent and fabrication reality. Through Make a Stand, he shares practical, manufacturing-informed insights to help design professionals deliver safer, more efficient, and more constructible public assembly spaces.

As an experienced Professional Development Manager, Anthony Iracki is dedicated to making a positive impact in the park and recreation industry. Based in Michigan, he's passionate about promoting inclusion, innovative programming, and community vitality. 

As a like-minded play advocate, PlayCore is proud to partner with Dr. Stuart Brown on furthering the advancement of play and helping our world understand the critical importance of participating in play throughout life. Our work together thus far has resulted in several play concepts that promote attunement between family members, and we are honored to feature Dr. Brown as our Scholarly Writer in Residence, a role in which he will impart his wealth of knowledge through seminars, features, and a monthly blog.

Lauren Sundstrom, Dr. Stuart Brown’s youngest daughter, is honored to support the National Institute for Play as a Board Member and Strategic Advisor. Lauren attended Colorado College and St. Peter’s College, Oxford University, then spent nearly a decade in Washington, D.C., as a legislative aide to U.S. Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, and as a lobbyist for Holland & Hart. Lauren later joined Western Land Group in Denver, where she became a partner specializing in real estate transactions involving government lands. Lauren has served as a Strategic Advisor to Rickaroons and a host of community and sports initiatives. She and her husband Steve raised two children, Mia and Leo, in Boulder where they attended a play-based preschool and a K-8 Charter based on self-directed, playful learning with very limited tests, grades, or homework. Lauren is a social kinesthete for whom play is a daily practice.

As a founding board member in 1995, past president, past treasurer, current secretary and president elect of the International Play Equipment Manufacturer’s Association (IPEMA) and long-term active American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) representative, over the past 34 years, Tom has been involved in all aspects of the play industry. He served from 2002-2004 on the Advisory Board for the National Program for Playground Safety (NPPS). He served from 2002-2004 on the Advisory Board for the National Program for Playground Safety (NPPS).

For over a decade, he actively served in the (Access Board) Recreation Access Advisory Committee and Regulatory Negotiation meetings and additionally served on the advisory panel for the Access Board’s on-line Technical Assistance and Training for Play Area Accessibility. Tom served for over 15 years on the Board for the International Playground Contractor’s Association (NPCAI), and is a founding steering committee member and active leader on the U.S. Coalition for Play. Tom is one of few recipients of the coveted Joe L. Frost Play Research Collection National Play Advocate Award in April 2008.

Additionally, over the past five years, Tom has led Dr. Stuart Brown’s National Institute for Play (NIFP) Board and is the project co-leader of the first known on-line database of scientific and academic research creating a cohesive picture about the proven scientific benefits of play. He is currently serving as the President of NIFP.

Tom received Auburn University’s School of Industrial and Graphic Design Distinguished Service Award for his leadership teaching ten design studios over the past twelve years. Finally, Tom serves on the Canadian Standards Association Children’s Playspaces & Equipment Z614 committee and is representing the United States on the ISO TC83 Playground Equipment committee.

Tom is a passionate play advocate and enjoys the many fun opportunities he has created at his “Boneyard” to play outdoors with family and friends of all ages.

Botten who currently works as an accessibility consultant joined the U.S. Access Board in 2000 and served for 22 years (retired in 2022) in several capacities while on staff including as a senior accessibility specialist, technical assistance coordinator, and the training coordinator. He was part of a team that developed the combined guidelines for the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Architectural Barriers Act and was the lead staff for the development of guidelines and technical assistance materials for the rulemaking on outdoor developed areas. Bill specializes in accessibility issues related to recreation facilities and outdoor developed areas.

Tracey Crawford is the former Executive Director at Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA) and the President of Special Leisure Services Foundation (SLSF). Crawford’s 34 years of professional experience in parks and recreation includes Inclusion Coordinator/Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and Assistant Director at Fox Valley Special Recreation Association (FVSRA) in Aurora, IL; the Manager of Inclusion Services, Superintendent of Recreation, Superintendent of Development and Interim Director at Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA. Bachelor of Science degree in TR University of Iowa. A CTRS and a CPRP. Past Chairman for IPRA Board of Directors, a Past President of the branch of NRPA that was dedicated to therapeutic recreation. Serves on the IPR Foundation (IPRF) Board, the IPRA Diversity Leadership Task Force, the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) as Past President and on the Illinois Recreation Therapeutic Association (ILRTA) Board as the ITRS Liaison. Was a on the Rolling Meadows Rotary Club and awarded the Paul Harris Fellow Award. Tracey serves on the Rolling Meadows Chamber of Commerce Board. Crawford was awarded the Robert Artz Lifetime Achievement Award for Illinois Park and Recreation professionals. 

Brent D. Wolfe, PhD, CTRS, FDRT is an Associate Professor in the Department of Community and Therapeutic Recreation at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro and has more than 20 years of experience in the RT profession as a practitioner and educator. Dr. Wolfe graduated with his undergraduate degree from Houghton College in New York and earned his Masters and PhD from the University of Georgia. As a practitioner, Dr. Wolfe’s background is adolescent psych and he worked in a locked, residential treatment center for two years. He served as President of the National Therapeutic Recreation Society (NTRS) from 2009-2010 and more recently served on the Board of Directors for the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) as the Treasurer (2016-2019). In addition to his work at UNCG, Dr. Wolfe currently serves as the Executive Director for ATRA. His work has been published in the Therapeutic Recreation Journal, Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement, and the Journal of Experiential Education. Dr. Wolfe has also written book chapters for numerous Recreational Therapy and Leadership textbooks. His research interests have included team building, volunteering, and adults with developmental disabilities. Dr. Wolfe is currently engaging in research focused on the lived experiences of adults with developmental disabilities and giving them a voice to share their perspectives of the world around them. He has presented on a variety of topics related to leadership, disability, and recreational therapy at local, state, regional, national, and international conferences. Dr. Wolfe believes that the two most important keys to being a successful leader, student, therapist, and person are listening and empathy. He spends his free time with his wife Becky, their two daughters, Austyn Grace and Taylor Faith, their dog Bella, cats Leyla and Blue, and any other critters his daughters catch.

Ann Przybysz is a Supports Coordinator at Network180, Kent County’s Community Mental Health Authority, where she facilitates the person-centered planning process to develop an Individual Plan of Service (IPOS) for clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Ann is an advocate and champion for her clients to be empowered to have self-determined lives and reach their personal goals with the appropriate supports that they need.

Prior to her role with Network180, Ann served as a Recreation Program Coordinator with the City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department in Southwest Michigan, where she planned and implemented Adaptive Recreation opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Ann and her department were awarded the “Excellence in Therapeutic Recreation Programming Award” from the Michigan Recreation and Parks Association in 2023 for developing a highly successful “Limb Loss Awareness 5k” event.

Ann is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) and a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional (QIDP) who helps individuals with disabilities find support and success in their homes, communities, and ancillary services. 

Jennie worked in the field of childhood development and exceptional learning for nearly fifteen years. She has a Master’s degree in Special Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Education from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Jennie joined PlayCore in 2008 and serves as the Community Outreach Director within PlayCore’s Center for Outreach, Research and Education. Deeply passionate about inclusive, intergenerational play, Jennie utilizes her expertise and personal experiences as an educator to positively impact the development of innovative play and recreation destinations that focus on community health and wellness.

From January, 2005 – February 2013 she was the Deputy Director for the Wisconsin Park & Recreation Association, a premiere Park and Recreation Associations in the nation. She was responsible for membership development and recruitment, coordinating educational development, development of marketing initiatives including the design and maintenance of the Association website, negotiating and implementing contracts and agreements, and generating revenue and corporate sponsorships.

Juliene Hefter received her Bachelor of Science in Recreational Leadership from the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse and holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Quality from Marian College. She has a long and illustrious career in aquatics and park and recreation administration, and has been the Manager of Recreation Services for the City of West Bend, Park and Recreation Director for the City of Horicon, Supervisor of Recreation & Aquatics Director for the Fond du Lac School District, and the Park and Recreation Director for the Village of Germantown.

She has served in a number of leadership positions with both state and national organizations, including being the Chairperson for the National Recreation and Park Association’s 2005 National Aquatic Conference, Member and Chairperson of the Aquatic Facility Operators Board of Directors, 2007 General Chairperson of the National Aquatic Management School and National Aquatic Conference, 2007 President of the National Aquatic Council, Chairperson of the Wisconsin Park & Recreation Association’s Recreation Section, Chairperson of the Southeast Park and Recreation Council, and Vice-Chairperson of the Washington County park and Open Space Technical Advisory Committee. She was also the President of the Association of Aquatic Professionals from 2011 – March 2013.

Her distinguished career includes being the recipient of the Wisconsin Park & Recreation Association’s Professional Award of Merit, the Recreation Professional of the Year, Aquatic Professional of the Year, and the recipient of the Public Policy Innovation Award. In 2007 she was named to the “Top 25 in Aquatics” by Aquatics International. In 2015 she was recognized by Aquatics International as one of the top 10 Aquatic Advocates and in 2017 she received the International Swimming Hall of Fame’s Paragon award.

She is a renowned speaker and author on a variety of management and administrative topics, including A Hands On Approach to Corporate Sponsorships, Sexual Harassment Training for Part-Time and Seasonal Staff, Public Perception of Lifeguards, Marketing and Promotions, and Team Building and Special Events.

Juliene provides consulting work and expert witness services in aquatic related areas. She sat on the Sounding Board for the development of the New American Red Cross 2012 Lifeguarding Program and assisted in the development of the Lifeguard Management curriculum. She also contributed to the development of the Starfish Aquatics Aquatic Technician Program and is also one of the founders of the Association of Aquatic Professionals.

Kirsten Barnes joins AOAP as the Assistant Director. As a graduate of the Missouri State University Recreation & Leisure Studies program, Kirsten’s career in recreation has included overseeing programs serving a variety of populations and managed facilities from golf courses and ice arenas to recreation centers and climbing gyms. Kirsten has been an aquatics coordinator overseeing municipal facilities, staff and programming, oversaw lifeguard management at 24 aquatic facilities and water parks with a private management company, and was a Recreation Director in the St Louis Area. She has been an industry vendor as the Director of HydroApps digital documentation software. Kirsten also works with recreation agencies to provide customized professional development and frontline trainings.

 
Kirsten has presented almost 100 education sessions at national and regional conferences. She is a Past President of the Missouri Parks & Recreation Association, served two years as the Marketing and Public Relations representative for the NRPA Annual Conference Program Committee and has been an AOAP Board Member.
 
Kirsten is Missouri born and raised and lives with her family in the mountains of Colorado. 

Chris Bass is a dedicated park and recreation professional with over 15 years of experience working in local government. Chris currently serves as the Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Douglasville.Prior to joining the Douglasville team, Chris worked for the Columbus Consolidated Government for 10 years leading a division of the parks and recreation department that was responsible for youth development and promoting volunteerism throughout the bi-city area. Chris currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA) and a member of the executive committee for the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). In 2022, Chris was recognized as the top young professional by the Douglas County Chamber. Chris attended Columbus State University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in communication and a Master of Public Administration.

Becky’s career has spanned over 40 years in the field of parks and recreation, serving communities with populations of 20,000 to over 1 million. Creative use of alternative funding has been her priority in helping agencies become more financially self-sufficient and sustainable in meeting the needs of their communities. Becky is past president of the prestigious American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and served six years on the NRPA Board of Directors. 

Bret Gaither is the Senior Director of Development at the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). With more than 20 years of fundraising experience - including 6 years in parks and recreation - Bret has a proven track record of building strong funding strategies and driving growth. He specializes in event fundraising, corporate partnerships, and individual giving, bringing creativity and strategy to every project. Passionate about connecting people and resources to meaningful causes, Bret is dedicated to helping communities thrive through the power of parks and recreation.

As an experienced Professional Development Manager, Anthony Iracki is dedicated to making a positive impact in the park and recreation industry. Based in Michigan, he's passionate about promoting inclusion, innovative programming, and community vitality.