Andrew Balendy Email & Phone Number

Minneapolis, Mn, Us

Idyllwild, California, United States

• Manage day-to-day operations for two 100 + acre camp facilities serving over 18,000 individuals annually in California and Virginia. Member of Executive Management Team, responsible for overseeing all on-site operations and managing $20M annual budget. Current responsibilities include:• Hiring, training, and supporting team of over 50 full-time employees and an additional 80 seasonal employees. • Overseeing organization’s food service, education, and maintenance departments. • Developing and implementing emergency plans and protocols and everyday safety policies.• Ensuring delivery of optimal and consistent client service throughout organization. • Strategizing with Executive Management Team on organization’s ongoing initiatives and direction. • Serve as liaison between camps and local communities, forging relationships with a variety of community leaders and stakeholders, organizing myriad community events, and serving as organization’s public spokesperson as needed. • Regularly review and revise programming to ensure compliance with Next Generation Science Standards and outdoor education and recreation industry best practices. • Create compelling new programming to expand capacity and attract new clientele, including programs such as Camp Chop, specializing in cooking skills, and the first-ever international “IDEAS” science camp program in China.• Manage multiple internal and external initiatives related to organization’s programming and general infrastructure; ensure all initiatives align with organization’s broader goals and strategic direction. • Responsible for developing and implementing organization-wide COVID-19 operational plan; safeguard organization by ensuring adherence to all CDC and statewide guidelines and requirements. Lead teams throughout all properties in executing safety protocols and adjusting to evolving COVID-19 related best practices.

Los Angeles, California, United States

• Oversaw husbandry practices for 250 species and 8,000 specimens at the West Coast's largest hands-on science center, visited by over 2 million guests annually. • Responsible for acquiring and collecting new species, monitoring animal health, ensuring animal and guest safety, and envisioning and maintaining exhibit aesthetics.• Led and managed team of over 200 employees and volunteers, including terrestrial, aquatic, dive, and boating staff, with a “customer-centric” approach for operations organization-wide.• Developed and insured adherence to operational budget. • AAUS Diver and member of the Dive Control Board responsible for oversight and safety of all scuba diving and boating operations.• Ensured compliance with standards, policies, and regulatory guidelines established by the Associations of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

Catalina Island, Ca

• Managed operations for Catalina Island Marine Institute at Fox Landing, serving 10,000 campers annually. • Recruited, hired, trained, and managed team of 30 science educators to deliver hands-on marine science and terrestrial ecology curriculum. • Trained staff members in boat driving, lifeguarding, first-aid, and CPR for the professional rescuer. • Implemented and oversaw all health, safety, and emergency protocols throughout facility.• Worked to develop budget and schedule to meet evolving needs of the facility and program. • Oversaw all waterfront and boating operations including vessel upkeep and safety training.

Tranquility Bay, Belize

Led expeditions with twenty 8th to 12th grade students for advanced marine biology, ecology, scuba diving, and leadership program. Scouted trip and diving locations, wrote curriculum, and developed safety and risk management plan.

Us Virgin Islands - Pennsylvania

Supervised Virgin Islands course area (2001) and led leadership/education/adventure expeditions in Pennsylvania (1999) and Virgin Islands (2000, 2001). Responsible for staff training, student curriculum, trip budgets, logistics, and vendor contacts.

Master'S Degree, Marine Biodiversity And Conservation

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Biology - Ecology

Activities and Societies: Minor - Marine Science