News
2011
February 24, 2011 -
America's Byways Resource Center Announces Staff Updates
America’s Byways Resource Center recently announced that Ryan Matara has joined the staff as the Training Specialist. He comes to the Resource Center with nearly 13 years of experience in the field of Training and Development. Previously, he held a training position with the Fingerhut Corporation and, most recently, he spent nearly 10 years as a Performance Specialist with Grand Casino Hinckley where he focused on career and supervisory development training and provided internal organization development consulting services to the various departments.
Ryan’s responsibilities at the Resource Center include developing, coordinating, implementing and measuring the training elements for the byway community, as well as conducting needs assessments to drive future training initiatives.
Ryan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from The College of St. Scholastica in Organizational Behavior and will complete his Masters of Arts in Management with a concentration on Organization Development in May of 2011. His interests include spending time with his wife and two children, knife making, and traditional archery and bow making.
“We’re excited to bring Ryan onboard,” said Michelle Johnson, America’s Byways Resource Center Director. “He brings tremendous enthusiasm and real-world training experience to our community.”
In another staff move, Curt Pianalto has accepted the Associate Director position at the Resource Center. Curt has served as a Byways Specialist at the Resource Center since 2004, and will tap into his years of experience with the byway community to assist Director Michelle Johnson in providing administrative leadership at the Resource Center.
In his new position Curt will be responsible for staff leadership for the Resource Center in project and contract management areas. Specifically, he will be responsible for coordinating and integrating the Resource Center’s Training Program, Technical Assistance efforts and communications with staff, customers and stakeholders.
“I’m looking forward to the challenges and opportunities of implementing the Resource Center’s vision in this new position at the Resource Center,” said Curt.
Curt studied at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in urban-regional studies with a minor in political science and a Master’s of Business Administration. Curt also has experience working in the architectural and structural design industry.
In his free time, Curt plays golf in the warm-weather months and he cross-country skis in the winter. He also enjoys music, history, and his latest interest, astronomy. Curt lives with wife, daughter and son, and his dog in Duluth, Minnesota.
Also, the Resource Center has said good-bye to Leah Kohlts, who served as Events and Communications Manager since 2002. The Resource Center wishes her continued success, and thanks her for the planning well underway for the 2011 National Scenic Byways Conference in Minneapolis this August.
For more information about the 2011 National Scenic Byways Conference, check www.BywaysResourceCenter.org for updates.
