Stephen Backus, Mba Email & Phone Number

North West Indiana

 Consulted for foreign and domestic corporations on improving team dynamics and leadership Leveraged experiential education to create a fun and engaging environment to develop teams Generated customized services to improve team productivity and enhance the leadership ability Identified potential customers and developed relationships with small to large enterprise clients Successfully negotiated pricing, terms and conditions, and proprietary information agreements for $3.5 Million in new contracts Managed travel logistics for all employees executing foreign and domestic contracts

Greater Chicago Area

 Planned and executed a twelve-month plan to address program deficiencies and bring the organization in line with industry standards trough staff training and development  Increased the Outdoor Adventure Program revenue collection from $250 (FY 2014-15) to over $8,000 (FY 2015-16) Managed a cohort (20) of student employees from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds Developed and executed community outreach programming Handled client complaints and sough timely resolutions Provided an unwavering commitment to customer service, with the ability to build productive relationships, resolve complex issues and win customer loyalty

West Lafayette, In

Organized grassroots bouldering competition for 75 competitors including, not limited to; organization of all competitor registration, managed bids and acquired event materials, oversaw 10 student staff during the event, solicited national sponsorship and supplies for the event Directed maintenance of the climbing and bouldering wall Collaborated with the professional facilities staff  Evaluated and reestablished the waiver storage and belay competency exam documents for the 5,000 individual users of the climbing wall Performed internal waiver audit to ensure compliance to university standards Researched, procured, and managed $7,000 rental and resale inventory Created new equipment nomenclature and worked with professional staff to update RecTrac software  Cultivated staff and student supervisor knowledge and soft-skill development through active management and relationship building, particularly in rock climbing technique and program objectives such as maintaining a safe climbing area, inclusive programming, and utilizing teachable moments Created detailed daily inspection form for student staff to utilize in opening and closing of the climbing wall to ensure inventory and usability of all rental equipment Created detailed monthly inspection form for the Boiler Challenge Course Established and implemented training program documentation for climbers in personal training regiments

West Lafayette, In

Oversaw opening and closing of the gym, including belay staff directionManaged risk by actively observing climbers and educating patrons in proper techniques, equipment use, and commandsSupervised large, multi-stage climbing site and rectify any inappropriate behaviorPerformed daily, monthly, and yearly equipment and facility inspectionsModeled and enforced all climbing wall policies and proceduresManaged fiscal responsibility by completing daily transaction reports and correcting irregularitiesCreated a welcoming and supportive environment for new climbersPerformed benchmarking between Purdue’s programs and other Big 10 schoolsCreated and implemented top rope and lead climbing competency examDeveloped and implemented policies for the safety of the climbing wallInstructed top rope and lead climbing classes based on industry best practicesAugmented new climber technique, movement, and knowledgebase Trained belay staff in methods focusing on sensitivity to climbers’ physical and emotional securityTrained belay staff on use of RecTrac software Mentored fellow supervisors by utilizing a socratic method of encouraging critical thinking and decision makingManaged climbing programs for the Boiler Kids Camp for children ages 5-12

West Lafayette, In

Recruited and hired all challenge course staff from March 2007-December 2014Evaluated and disciplined 5 Head Facilitators and 35 Facilitators based on job performance and performed yearly evaluations and goal settingConducted training for over fifty facilitators, totaling over 200 hours, during a five year periodDesigned and implemented low and high course training programs that taught staff to facilitate course elements, methods of processing, philosophies of experiential education, risk management, and cultivated individual problem solving, leadership, and communication skillsScheduled student staff for all challenge course programs, trainings, and meetingsReviewed and submitted biweekly payroll for the all student staffActed as the primary contact for the Boiler Challenge Course for the entire Purdue University campus and the surrounding communityCorresponded with program organizers to individualize programs for their needs Established and oversaw new campus marketing program that succinctly provided insights into challenge course objectives and benefitsPerformed benchmarking between Purdue’s program and other comparable schoolsTracked the purchase, condition, and retirement of $15,000 of equipment for the courseFacilitated, documented, and reported monthly low and high course inspectionRecommended purchase of new and replacement hardware and equipment based on the findings of the low and high course inspections and collected feedback from staffConceptualized and proposed Head Facilitator training program, job description, performance standards, and examinationPlanned and executed quarterly risk management training and evaluation to meet the departments standards Led one hour staff meetings and presented new educational topicsCollaborated with other challenge course staff to plan, frontload, facilitate, and debrief initiatives and elements for diverse and dynamic populations

West Lafayette, In

Managed up to 9 student staff in a 420,000 sqft buildingCoordinated Division of Recreation Sports Emergency Action Plans and act as a liaison between DRS and Emergency PersonnelActed as First Responder for all incidents and emergenciesPerformed facility rounds and inspections to ensure patron safety, and monitor building securityCompleted building opening and closing tasks, including end of day evacuation and inspectionFacilitated semesterly CPR Skills checks on student employees of the Division of Recreational SportsCompleted regular checks of AEDs, radios, and first aid kitsObserved and evaluated staff performance , providing appropriate feedback to staff or direct supervisors to maintain performance consistent with expectationsResolved and reported customer concerns, complaints, and issuesPerformed urgent maintenance repairs and arrange for appropriate action to secure areas/equipmentMonitored and enforced building schedules and policies for the DRS and Aquatics CenterCoordinated activity, program, event, project, and reservation setupDeveloped a working understanding of all program areas and use of all equipmentQuizzed student staff in risk management scenariosMentored new facility staff and Facility Managers by utilizing a Socratic method to encourage critical thinking and making decisions.

Pleasant Lake, In

Prepared the Challenge Course and Climbing Wall to meet the annual inspection requirements outlined by the Boy Scouts of AmericaManaged staff of 5-8 individuals in three different program areasMaintained climbing wall, low course, and dynamic high coursePlanned and executed staff training in safe practices of the low course, high course, and climbing wallSupervised the instruction of the Climbing Merit Badge classMaintained an awareness of potential risks while creating a warm and welcoming atmosphereSafely operated a 15 passenger van and pulled 10’x12’ enclosed trailers and 6 canoe trailer

Pleasant Lake, In

Prepared lesson plans for merit badge classTaught water safety skills such as canoeing, kayaking, swimming, lifesaving, sailing, and snorkelingInstruct outdoor skills such as orienteering, backpacking, camping, cooking, knot-tying, wilderness survival and basic firearm safety Provided impromptu programming for idol youthLed on-site overnight camping trips

Master Of Business Administration - Mba, Business Administration And Management, General

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Wildlife Biology