J.D. UHLS Ice Technician Director Ice-America, Harbor City, Calif.


Years in Current Position: 11 Prior Work Experience


Facilities Supervisor, Iceoplex, Simi Valley, Calif., 2002-09


Zamboni Operator; World Figure skating Championships, Los Angeles, 2009


What Does Your Company Provide for the Ice Sports Industry?


“We construct and operate many portable ice rinks across North America and Canada as well as manage a permanent facility in Rolling Hills, Calif.”


Industry Start


J.D. has worked in the industry for 17 years. He began working at his local rink in Simi Valley, Calif., passing out skates, and worked his way to operating the Zamboni and serving as an arena supervisor.


Biggest Challenge as Ice Technician Director


“Probably personnel and equipment logistics. Most of our rinks are constructed around the same time so making sure that everyone and everything happens on time, even when there are the all so exciting ‘hiccups’ that occur.”


Most Interesting Moment on the Job


J.D., center, with Ice-America owner Scott Williams, left, and 1988 Olympic champion and two-time world champion Brian Boitano, at the 2011 opening of Promenade on Ice at California's Westfield Galleria at Roseville.


“While there are many moments that I can think of, this one stands out pretty well for me: We had a rink on the beach in Redondo Beach, Calif. A huge storm came through and carved out these enormous canyons through the ice and then ran off of the sheet to the sand-based platform and proceeded to wash out the platform holding the rink up. I had no snow from the resurfacer to fill the cracks in the ice because of the rain,


38 WINT ER 2 019


so I bought a plastic children's snow cone maker and hand cranked bags of ice to patch the cracks. Then, I crawled under the rink to push the beach sand back under the ice slab to re-enforce the foundation — quite an adventure!”


Benefits of ISI Membership


“I enjoy the sense of family that it provides — both at the conferences and in the work environment. It is very easy to exchange useful information and learn new things through the people that you meet. Having the [ISI University] CAO [Certified Arena Operator] certificate from ISI is a great thing to have when bidding on new rink projects and proposals.


Words of Wisdom on Life and Maintaining Ice


“Look at challenges as opportunities for growth and education, not as a road block to your success. I see ice as a living, breathing thing. You have to water it; it grows and shrinks; it sweats, etc. Maintaining perfect ice is about acknowledging that each facility’s ice sheets are going to be different, especially when they are outside. You have to be flexible with the knowledge that you have to give each rink the attention it needs to provide a superior product for your patrons.”


Favorite Activities


Playing music and body surfing Family Life


James and his wife, Jocelyn, have a 1-year-old daughter, Shayla.


Little Known Fact About J.D.


“I was a drummer in a band called Keaton Collective. We recently called the end to our 12-year run as a group after releasing our fourth full-length album.”


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