Posted on Fri, Apr 27, 2012
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How did your path in life lead you to becoming the heart and soul of the Woodloch IT Department?
After I was hired at Woodloch in 1997 to be an Assistant Golf Professional, I was asked to assist in the IT Department in winter months because I have a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science from DeSales University. As the years went by, I became more and more involved in projects to the point where I had to make a choice between committing to the golf operation or to IT. I took the IT route, and it all grew from there.
When you're not working on a computer of some sort, how do you enjoy spending your leisure time?
I enjoy spending time with my wife and family. I still play
as much golf as time permits and bowl in the Tuesday night league at Wallenpaupack Lanes.
There is an exquisite portrait of Cosmo Kramer in your office. What is your favorite episode of Seinfeld, and with which character do you most closely associate?I can't say that I have one particular episode in mind, but what I can say is that it sure seems like a lot of situations and conversations the Seinfeld cast had over the years relate directly to real life situations. I think I closely associate with Jerry more than other charcters simply because I can find humor in a lot of situations.
In no particular order, what are your five favorite movies?
Caddyshack, Usual Suspects, Tin Cup, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and Happy Gilmore.
What do you enjoy most about working at Woodloch?
I enjoy the every day challenges technology brings and being able to develop solutions to fit them. I also enjoy working with everyone else at Woodloch. It really is a great place to work.
You are quite the bowler. What kind of advice would you give to someone looking to improve their game?
My best advice is to learn the proper footwork to the approach in order to release the ball in a better position and allow for you to hit your target on the lane.
Posted on Sat, Apr 07, 2012
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Just like the great David Hasselhoff before him, Bob Campen oversees our water operation both indoors and out. In case you haven't been fortunate enough to meet him yet, take a moment to get to know our head lifeguard!
Please tell us how your path in life ultimately led you to Woodloch.
I was looking for a job to make some spending money. When I was 14 years old, my mother was already working here in housekeeping, and our neighbor Fred Gelderman was too. My Mom asked JK if he could find a spot for me somewhere. I sat across from him, at the ripe age of 14, nervous yet confident. It was my first and last job interview. I have been here at Woodloch since then, working through high school and staying on full-time after graduating from Wallenpaupack.
You are a man of the water. Please tell us what your favorite water amenity/activity is here at Woodloch.
I was a waterski die-hard from the day I learned to ski in high school. I enjoy skiing myself, driving the boat, and instructing new skiers, guests and friends alike.
What is your favorite genre of music, and who are your favorite bands?
I like country music, but I don’t mind some good old rock and roll when I can listen to it LOUD! Kenny Chesney I have seen in concert a handful of times, he is entertaining and puts on a great show. The Zac Brown Band and ACDC would be the next two groups on my list; they also can rock a venue and make you want to see them over and over again.
How do you spend your time away from work? Any specific hobbies or pasttimes?
I am a Penn State fanatic. I love college football and enjoy tailgating with my family and friends in our home on game weekends. My wife, kids, family and close friends have shared many memories tailgating, enjoying beverages in the parking lot, and enjoying games at Beaver Stadium. We enjoy camping and our summer cottage at Elk Lake, where all we do is relax and enjoy the sunshine, water activities and our neighbors and friends.
What are the names and ages of your kids?
My son, Robbie, is nine years old and in the fourth grade. My daughter, Claire, is five years old and in kindergarten. They are both GREAT kids, very active and make me smile every day!
It's almost swimsuit season! Any tips on looking good for the beach during the summer?
If you don’t already have an exercise routine, start one. Everything done in moderation works best; get the blood flowing three or four times a week. The older we get, the harder these habits are to sustain.
Posted on Fri, Feb 24, 2012
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~Shared by Tammy Compton
Do you have great co-workers?
Nothing beats co-workers who care about you, those who laugh along with you or reach out when you're troubled or sad. I'm proud of the people I work with at Woodloch and of the compassion they show one another. It's an emotion that readily spills over to the guests that they serve. I love to watch them in action. Each one is special, bringing different gifts and talents to the table.
I especially love how they're willing to go the extra mile. Cross-training at the front desk recently, I had the pleasure of spending a day with Kathy VanHorn. She is a great coach: patient, kind, knowledgeable, and a multi-talented multi-tasker. I was most impressed with how she cheerfully waited on the guests in front of her, stepped away to grab something for their check-in, noticed my woeful expression while trying to get the computer to cooperate, threw me a few words of encourgement and direction, and never broke stride in getting back to the guests. Wow. Still, that wasn't the take away from that day.
That came a bit later when a call came into the front desk from a guest who had missed lunch. The guest didn't feel well and had not made it into the dining room with the rest of her party. Kathy excused herself from the front desk and walked to the dining room, poured two cups of hot soup, grabbed some crackers, cookies, bananas, and bottled water to be delivered to the woman in her room. As I watched her in admiration, she said, "I think about how I'd want my grandma treated if she wasn't feeling the greatest."
I'm proud of my co-workers because that's who they are. They're people like Kathy who go the extra mile.