2023 Election for the Board of Directors of ACCT

Voting is OPEN For the Board of Directors seats! Eligible voters should have received their ballot by email. Please ask us if you're not sure who is eligible to vote from your organization.

Candidates elected by the Individual and B2C/B2B members

Voting procedures for position elected by the Individual and B2B/B2C Members

Voting for these positions will be conducted online, with the voting period lasting fifteen (15) days.  The Voting Period will begin on  January 26th, 2023 at 3:30PM PT (GMT -8)  and conclude on February 10th, 2023 at 3:30PM PT (GMT -8).   Votes will be cast digitally and all members eligible to vote will receive balloting materials to the email address affiliated with their ACCT membership. 

• B2B members may cast one vote per organization for the General Membership seat

• B2C members may cast one vote per organization for the General Membership seat

• Industry Stakeholder/Affiliate Members members may cast one vote per organization for the General Membership seat

• Individual Members members may cast one vote per organization for the General Membership seat

If you need clarification on who in your B2B, B2C, or Industry Stakeholder account holds the master account and has the rights to cast your organization's vote, please contact us at membership@acctinfo.org.

Voter Eligibility

Must be a member in good standing, including but not limited to

• Dues Paid

Leslie Sohl, State of Colorado

Brief Work History:

After starting a career in the Therapeutic Recreation field (with a focus on utilizing the outdoors as a therapeutic tool), I found myself interacting with parts of the ACCT community - and wanting more! From 2008 - 2018 I worked for both professional vendor members (PVMs) and operators. As an operator, I’ve spent time facilitating participants through experiential education programs and as a guide on canopy tours and aerial adventure courses. I am grateful for my mentors that encouraged me to become competent on multiple systems used in the industry. As a staff member of various PVMs, I focused primarily on training & operations, although I can assist on an inspection/build when called upon. Throughout all of my experiences, my interest in processes, human interactions, inclusion, standards, documentation, and compliance became the reasons that I began attending stakeholder meetings with various regulatory agencies - and then being hired by one! I now have the pleasure of interacting with the industry in a unique capacity, wherein I am part of the State of Colorado’s Amusement Program team. We oversee a large part of the challenge course industry, and within our Division we strive to maintain open communication with our stakeholders to ensure the highest level of public safety. I have been a part of the Division for 4 years, and if you ever want to chat I am available!

ACCT Committee Involvement and Other Volunteer Experience:

I started my volunteer efforts within the Special Olympics and therapeutic riding programs, and from there expanded to my (at the time) regional American Camp Association conference. Once I joined ACCT, I first volunteered in 2011 as a Yellow Hat. After a couple conferences, I joined the PCTC (practitioner certification test committee) in 2014. Even though our work did not get utilized it was still a great learning opportunity for me within the Association. I have since helped start several of the Affinity Groups, and been on the ANSI/ACCT Consensus Group. I have also been a member of several task groups/forces; I like the ability to work on a deliverable item and then see that work further the Association and industry. As a part of my job I help facilitate a Governor appointed 15 member commission; this is relevant as it is about public safety, consensus building, and having representation within an industry shown in the various seats. 

I think the different industry jobs I have held make my experience and perspective different than other current Board members. I have been told that I am good at developing processes and documentation, as well as reviewing plans that other people put together. I am also a huge fan of consensus - meaning that it is most important that we have agreement and not that the majority overrules the minority voices. 

How do you seek to advance the mission, vision, and values of the Association for Challenge Course Technology?

I really like this question because earlier this year another ACCT member and I took it upon ourselves to develop and submit to the Board a draft document to update the values and inclusion statement that are currently on the Association’s website (no decision yet on the updated version being implemented). 

In my current job, I am fortunate to be able to spend time supporting our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Officer, in both co-leading an allyship affinity group, and being a member of the EDI Implementation Group. I hope to bring some of this work into ACCT in the hopes of both expanding the membership (numbers and make up) and the sense of belonging members have within the challenge course community. I also am vested in the role ACCT has as a standards writing body and want to support that work to align with the efforts in Colorado to maintain public safety through industry consensus. 

Position Statement:

When I chaired the Process Design Task Force, I worked with the group members to develop 3 areas of focus we wanted to see in ACCT’s future. I still believe that these are places that growth can (and should) occur: 
1. Membership engagement - for current and potential members, and volunteers;
2. Developing a plan for public relations - internationally, with jurisdictions, with other trade associations, etc; 
3. Financial growth - with an acknowledgement that barriers to access for current and future members should be addressed through things like updated technology and other professional development opportunities. 
Above all, if I was on the Board I would want to ensure that the amazing staff and volunteers within ACCT feel empowered and supported to do productive work to further the industry; any barriers that are identified should become a priority for the Board and the goal should be to find solutions around (or over, or through) these challenges. 

Olivia "Stretch" Rowland, Challenge Quest

Brief Work History:

I was introduced to our industry as a child going to summer camp and I have loved it ever since. I have been a ropes facilitator since 2014 and have facilitated many low ropes courses and high ropes courses for youth programming, experiential education, corporate development and everything in between. I have been a ropes course manager, public school teacher and camp director. I have also been a trainer through American Red Cross and USA Archery. Now, my career is with an ACCT vendor and I am the lead trainer and lead facilitator for our company. I am also a builder and inspector. I have had the privilege of working with a diverse range of all types of courses, clients, and participants to help broaden my perspective and knowledge of our industry. I am thankful to have been able to experience every aspect of ropes courses from construction to operation both with other industry professionals and the clients we serve. 

ACCT Committee Involvement and Other Volunteer Experience:

I have enjoyed familiarizing myself with ACCT and the incredible work being done. Whether it has been attending conferences, engaging with ACCT members through networking groups or attending committee meetings, I find collaboration to be essential and highly valuable. I have also been highly involved both regionally and nationally with the American Camp Association, USA Archery, the American Red Cross, and Girl Scouts. My experiences outside of ACCT has helped me better understand who we serve and the expectations, regulations and requirements that our industry must meet. 

Skills or Experience I Bring to the Board:

I believe that my experience as a former camp director and teacher paired with my current work with all aspects of the challenge course industry allows me to have a unique ability to examine issues from many perspectives. I hope to bring to the board an ability to critically examine our work through a new lens and fresh eyes. I am well versed in ACCT standards as well as other accreditation, certification and regulatory requirements. I am effective at creating, implementing and accomplishing goals through collaboration that is focused on shared vision and support. I am also involved with the American Red Cross and USA Archery for other outdoor programming certifications and processes. 

How do you seek to advance the mission, vision, and values of the Association for Challenge Course Technology?

To advance our mission, vision and values, we first must ensure that we as individuals embody those shared beliefs. As a member of the board, I aspire to model our mission, vision and values in how I conduct myself and lead others. 

I hope to expand our membership and increase our effectiveness by aligning our work to our mission. Standards are one of the most important ways that we can continue to protect our industry and implement the values we share. I want to help facilitate inclusive engagement of all members and highlight voices throughout our industry to create avenues of accessibility into our community. 

Position Statement:

I am deeply passionate and committed to servant leadership and the promotion of our industry. As a member of the board, I would hope to serve the interests of our organization and dedicate myself to the needs our members find most pressing to best serve our community, more so than what I as an individual deem as correct.

However, there are plenty of issues that urgently need to be addressed and we have a lot of work ahead of us. I am specifically passionate about training and trainer standards and guidelines. I would also like to see an increase in professional development opportunities as well as exploring more accessible ways for members to get CEUs. Another opportunity we have is to explore how to share resources and information more consistently and clearly on our website, between documents and through our other forums. I also want to see more existing projects completed and previous goals met. Overall, I personally hope to help increase consistency, clarity and communication throughout ACCT and among members.  We need to be a resource to our members that helps to increase inclusivity and ease the ability for life changing work.

Candidates elected by the Professional Vendor Members (PVM’s)

Voting procedures for positions elected by the Professional Vendor Members (PVM’s)

Voting for these positions will be conducted online, with the voting period lasting fifteen (15) days.  The Voting Period will begin on  January 26th, 2023 at 3:30PM PT (GMT -8)   and conclude on  February 10th, 2023 at 3:30PM PT (GMT -8).  Votes will be cast digitally and all members eligible to vote will receive balloting materials to the email address affiliated with their ACCT membership. 

• Accredited Professional Members may cast one vote for each seat representing PVMs for a total of 2 votes. Two votes may not be cast for the same candidate

Voter Eligibility

ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL VENDOR MEMBERS

Must be a member in good standing, including but not limited to

• Dues Paid

• Annual Report Submitted 

• Review requirements complete

Kennerly deForest, Experiential Resources, LLC

Brief Work History:

Ran summer camp challenge course/adventure program for 7 years.  Worked for various outdoor ed organizations as challenge course director.  Founded Challenge Works, Inc in 1997.  PVM accredited in 2006 as the qualifying person for install/inspect/training/certification.  Have been involved with the industry since 1992. Currently work for ERi.

ACCT Committee Involvement and Other Volunteer Experience:

Served as the Chair for the Review Committee and ACC.
Inspector Certification Committee
various task and work groups.
Present workshops and pre-cons at ACCT and many various conferences with other acronyms.
Served a term on the ACA NorCal board.

Skills or Experience I Bring to the Board:

Perspective from decades of service, especially on the Accreditation and Certification side of the Association

How do you seek to advance the mission, vision, and values of the Association for Challenge Course Technology?

Through continued service and dedication to the Association.
Advocacy to groups and organizations not currently members.

Position Statement:

I see several issues facing our association that need work.  These include but are not limited to:
1. Standards: I believe that maintaining and developing the ACCT standard is important.  Just as important is our industry representation at the ASTM level, as many AHJ and projects require compliance with both standards. 
The ACCT Standards can be misinterpreted and misused (as with any standard).  The continued development and delivery of real and meaningful educational and professional development opportunities is needed to help address this.  This is an opportunity for the association to grow and increase our influence across the wider industry.
2. The number of Accredited Vendors has decreased over the past few years. With the current redesign of the program, this is an opportune moment to push outreach and education on the new program to elicit new membership.

Michael Smith, AdventureSmith, Inc.

Brief Work History:

I am the principal of AdventureSmith, Inc., a niche consultancy specializing in the management of adventure parks, business development, adventure tour marketing, and risk mitigation.  I have 25 years of experience designing and developing traditional challenge courses with the past 18 years primarily focused on the design and development of zip line canopy tours and aerial adventure parks.  My operating experience includes 28 years working as a facilitator, trainer, guide, and operator of traditional challenge courses, EBTD, and commercial operations.

ACCT Committee Involvement and Other Volunteer Experience:

Marketing Committee (2008-09, 2013); 
Board of Directors (2014 to 2017); 
Accreditation and Certification Committee (2019 to present)

Skills or Experience I Bring to the Board:

I am familiar with ACCT operating systems and procedures, membership software, and the work being completed by the Accreditation and Certification Committee and its subgroups.  I have experience working on other boards and running businesses.

How do you seek to advance the mission, vision, and values of the Association for Challenge Course Technology?

As both an operator and vendor, I am able to see the industry from multiple perspectives.  That said, my involvement with ACCT over the past decade has been largely focused on helping to grow membership and to increase outreach to operators, both to increase their awareness of ACCT Standards and to create programs that help operations develop and credential their staff and accredit their operations.  I am anxious to continue to serve the community both through hard work, institutional knowledge, and my broad experience.  

Position Statement:

I am passionate about increasing the ACCT brand both in the US and internationally.  Many of our programs have been US-centric, but much of our growth has been international.  As we enter another round of strategic planning, it is important we look to the future of the industry to provide our membership--operators, vendors, manufacturers, regulators, and consumers--with the information and resources they need to be successful.