Your Corporate Team
Leisure Systems, Inc. (LSI) has developed an experienced, knowledgeable and creative staff to help grow your business. We strive to provide franchisees with the tools and support they need while giving them freedom to remain entrepreneurs.
Our staff is a winning combination of individuals, some with over 30 years of individual experience in the outdoor hospitality industry. Among the staff are current and former campground owners, who have walked in your shoes and understand what it takes to operate a campground. Looking toward the future, we have combined this experience with a new generation of people having strengths in retail, marketing and operations. Our franchisees tell us they appreciate this management style.
In addition, you can draw on the experience from 80 other Jellystone Park™ operators. Our franchisees are known for being open and collaborative, not competitive, which gives you the opportunity to discuss new ideas and challenges with peers. Our open environment has always been a cornerstone of the Jellystone Park franchise.
“We have a team behind us. If we’re stuck on something, we not only have Leisure Systems but 80 other park operators who have been phenomenal.” – Rick Spear, Jellystone Park™ Estes Park Colorado
Meet the Staff
Robert (Rob) Schutter, Jr. – President / COO
Responsible for all facets of the Company’s business operations including developing system-wide marketing strategies, legal oversight, handling franchise contract negotiations, and interfacing with the Franchise Advisory Council. Rob has been with the company since its acquisition in August 1989. Since 1976, Rob has been associated with Hanna-Barbera related properties having held several positions with the Kings Entertainment Company theme park group (now known as Paramount Park Group.) Rob holds a Bachelor Degree in Management and Marketing from the University of Cincinnati and has extensive operating experience in developing and implementing research, promotional, sales and marketing programs.
Dean Crawford – Executive Vice President
Dean is the Executive Vice President of Leisure Systems, the Franchisor of the Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts and been with the company since 1991. Dean’s prior experience is being employed as General Manager for the Jellystone Park in Traverse City, Michigan from 1980 – 1990. As GM, Dean received one of the system’s highest award, “Operator of the Year”. Dean received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Parks and Recreation from Michigan State University and is a lifetime Certified Park Operator. Dean recently moved from Cincinnati, Ohio to Traverse City, Michigan.
Jim Westover – Vice President of Operations
Responsibilities include assisting in the day to day management and operational duties of LSI; developing, managing, organizing and creating programs that advocate the strategic objectives of the franchise system; and assisting the President/COO in the development of the annual Federal Disclosure Document (FDD) and modifications to the Franchise Agreement. Jim also performs Franchise Assessment Reviews & Recommendations (FARR), and assists the Executive Vice President and the Director of Franchise Development in developing agendas for system-wide franchise meetings. Jim hails from Irwin, Pennsylvania and has an MBA in Management from Seton Hill University and a Bachelor’s in Accounting from California University of PA. His professional background is in operations and finance, having worked at the Bruster’s Ice Cream franchise since 2004, most recently as Regional Vice President of Operations overseeing 60+ stores. Jim joined LSI in 2016.
Sheila Isaac – Vice President of Corporate Retail
Sheila Isaac has a passion for all things retail. She has held management, buying, and sales positions in her 20 years experience in the retail industry. She has been with LSI since 2001 and her main responsibilities include annually sourcing, creating, and selling over 500 customized resale and operational products, mostly exclusive to Jellystone Parks. She works closely with Warner Bros. to make sure all Jellystone Park merchandise is compliant with license agreements. She manages all aspects of Retail Operations, including merchandise ordering, shipping and billing. Sheila also supervises the warehouse staff, administers the online merchandise stores, and assists parks with merchandise ordering and store setup. Besides visiting Jellystone Parks, she also travels often to industry trade shows and other events to keep current on trends, exciting new products, and Visual Merchandising. She is a board member of the National Association of Retail Buyers (NARB) and has published articles for Souvenir, Gift & Novelty trade magazine. Sheila holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and International Business from Ohio University.
Tracey Barker – Vice President of Finance/Controller
Responsibilities include human resources, monthly financial reporting, payroll administration and financial coordination of franchisee accounts. Tracey has a solid background in the business and financial reporting system presently used by LSI. Tracey has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics and Statistics from Miami University of Ohio and has been with LSI since 2002.
Michele Wisher – Vice President of Marketing & Promotions
Michele Wisher is an experienced marketing executive offering strong skills in marketing strategy, project management and communication. She began her career as a computer programmer in 1999, which laid a solid foundation for understanding digital marketing and website development. From there, she managed accounts for a prominent Indianapolis advertising agency, sold advertising for The Enquirer – Cincinnati’s main newspaper, then joined Leisure Systems as Marketing Manager in September of 2003.
Michele has a Bachelor’s Degree in both Marketing and Computer Information Systems, with a minor in Journalism from Indiana University. She is a member of the American Marketing Association and regularly attends meeting and webinars to stay abreast of current marketing trends.
Michele oversees the marketing staff who is responsible for all facets of marketing and promotions for the franchise: advertising development and placement, website management, market research, public relations, social media, promotional partnerships, annual directory, and customer loyalty program.
Kelly Jones – Director of Franchisee Development
Kelly Jones started in the Jellystone Park™ system when her family converted their park in 1987. In October of 2007 Kelly joined Leisure Systems Inc. as the Director of Franchisee Development. After college, Kelly worked for ten years as a social worker for the second largest child welfare agency in the nation before returning to the family business as the General Manager of the park. In 2004, the family sold the property and Kelly stayed on as the General Manager until August of 2007.
Kelly is a graduate of Bradley University in Peoria, IL with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. Kelly has earned her Lifetime Certified Park Operator and Outdoor Hospitality Executive Certification through The National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds (ARVC). She is an Instructor at the National School of RV Park and Campground Management, Member of the ARVC Foundation Education Committee, and speaker at the ARVC Outdoor Hospitality Expo and Conference and many state meetings. In September of 2015, Kelly became a certified ADA Coordinator through the ADA Coordinator Training Certification Program (ACTCP) –
administered by the Great Plains ADA Center. In April of 2016, Kelly became a certified facilitator for the Personify Leadership Program which is a two-day leadership training.
Kelly and her husband, Kevin, currently reside in Amboy, IL with two of their children, Alex and Abby. Their oldest daughter Ashley is currently a freshman at Belmont University in Nashville, TN.
Andy Eaton – Director of Franchise Operations
After serving in the military, Andy pursued his passion for the financial world by attending Andrews University majoring in auditing. He used his experience and training as CFO for a tool and die company. He further expanded this experience through the ownership of several businesses, including two Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts.
Andy’s responsibilities through LSI include helping parks with business plans and pro formas, assessing the park and offering ideas to increase revenues. His background helps him complete summer assessments, teach financial classes as well as maintenance functions at C.A.M.P. Andy has extensive knowledge in mechanical, electrical and plumbing. His hobbies are building hotrods and playing the saxophone.
Jane Eaton – Director of Franchise Operations
Jane Eaton lives in Nashville, TN and has been part of the Operations Team as a Director of Operations since March of 2010. Before joining the Operations Team, she owned a very successful Jellystone Park™ in Grand Haven, MI for over nine years. Jane came from a background in the engineering field including Program Management and Manufacturing Systems Support at a DOD computer company. With her Bachelors in Administrative Management at Sienna Heights University, and her 18 years of experience at Zenith, Jane was involved in writing ISO9001/9002 processes/procedures, the development of computers and their software dating back to the DOS days and forward to present day computers. Jane has used any and all experiences to help franchises over the past six years. Jane has combined all of her experiences to research reservations/POS systems, bring them to bid and the selection process, and finally to official release for our franchises. Jane has hopes that this new system will bring the Jellystone Park franchise system to not just the present, but to the future.
Ron Vitkun – Director of Franchise Sales & Development
Ron Vitkun started in the Outdoor Hospitality Industry in 1996, as an owner of a Jellystone Park located in Western Maryland. In 2013, he and his wife Vicki sold their park. In March of 2014, he joined Leisure Systems Inc. as the Director of Franchise Sales and Development. Prior to his campground ownership, Ronald spent fifteen years working for consumer products industry leaders, Colgate-Palmolive, Polaroid Corporation, and Newell Company. It was during his time working for these fortune 500 companies that he developed the insight that sales must be a partnership between both parties so that mutual success can occur.
Ron is a graduate of East Stroudsburg University, PA with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. He is a member of the Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2014 for football. He understands the value of continued education as a lifelong goal. He is a past Regent and Instructor at National School of RV Park and Campground Management. Ron has been a speaker at the ARVC Outdoor Hospitality Expo and Conference and many state meetings.
As a camp-resort owner Ron and his family were recognized by ARVC with their “Go Green Award.” The Washington County Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Commission recognized their park’s dedication with a “Customer Service Award” in the Hospitality Industry on four different occasions. Their camp-resort was runner up for “Small Business of the Year in 2007” by Maryland’s State Chamber of Commerce. The Washington County School Board awarded the park their “Golden Apple Award” for their design and support of Reading Programs in Elementary Schools in Washington County. Ron held the position of Chairperson for the Washington Country Chamber of Commerce, Chairperson for Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and was Vice President of the Maryland Campground Owners Association.
Ron’s dedication to the outdoor hospitality can be summarized with this statement: “Throughout my 18 years of park ownership, I was mentored by some of very best owners in this industry. It is now my time to mentor the next generation of park owners.”
Ron and Vicki Vitkun currently reside in Bradenton, Florida. Their son Brett currently attends Centre College in Kentucky.
Stephanie Sears – Executive Assistant
Responsibilities include all clerical duties involving the President/COO, preparing legal franchise documents, assists with the office clerical duties; filing, mailing sorting, orders all office supplies, maintains office machines, helps manage current franchisee information helps coordinate Symposium with other staff members, assists in clerical duties for the C.A.M.P. and C.A.R.E. programs, overseeing daily office activities. Stephanie joined LSI in 1999.
Jennifer Ocilka – Director of Corporate Human Resources, Park River
Jennifer Ocilka recently joined the team in August and has spent the last 10 years working in human resources in for-profit and non-profit companies. She has her master’s degree in Human Resource Management with a specialization in Organizational Development. She is a member of Society for Human Resource Management and Greater Cincinnati Chapter of Human Resources. Jennifer resides in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Lauri Hart – Loyalty Program Manager, Club Yogi™ Rewards
Lauri Hart is the Loyalty Program Manager for Club Yogi™ Rewards and has worked in the marketing/loyalty marketing field since 1991. Lauri started working at LSI in May 2011. She has her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a double major in Marketing and Management from the University of Cincinnati. Lauri is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Club Yogi Rewards program including franchise training, member communications, customer service, and program evaluation. She also develops mutually beneficial partner relationships and expanding member benefits to increase member participation and engagement. Lauri also works directly with the Parks to customize marketing opportunities to their members. Lauri lives in Cincinnati, OH.
Renata Evans – Retail Manager of Corporate Accounts
Manages strategies and procedures for the Retail Operations of Coney Island Park (CIP) and Jellystone Parks. This involves the following: Product Development & Purchasing, Visual Merchandising, Product Inventory and Sales analysis. Motivate, manage and evaluate CIP seasonal personnel to ensure revenue and customer service goals and objectives are being met. Monitor sales trends within line to quantify opportunities in season and for future years. Implement creative ideas to liquidate overstocks both in CIP and LSI warehouses, franchisee Stores, and Coney Island stores and games. Submit new products to Warner Bros. for approval and communicate to vendors for sampling, and coordinate approval status. Manage development process to ensure forward movement to deliver timely results.
Dan Wolford – Warehouse Supervisor
Responsibilities include being in charge of all outgoing and incoming shipments. This includes all 500+ resale and operational merchandise items, promotional/Club Yogi™ Rewards, costumes, statues, and other operating items. He is the contact person for shipping errors, tracking and damages. Dan is also in charge of scheduling and communicating with franchises regarding borrowing LSI costumes and Trade Show Booths. He is the contact for all marketing materials and Club Yogi Rewards Collateral. He conducts semi-annual inventory audits and maintains all warehouse organization. He also assists the Vice President of Corporate Retail in various responsibilities, including quality control. Dan joined LSI in 2007.
Myra Jimison – Staff Accountant
Myra Jimison joined Leisure Systems, Inc. in 2012. She manages cash flow and oversees all functions of accounts receivable and accounts payable. Myra reviews park financial information to ensure compliancy with their contractual agreements. She provides support to the Vice President of Finance/Controller with month-end, year-end processes and various accounting projects.
Myra has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting with a Minor in Management from Indiana Wesleyan University.
Mary Beth Schutter – Accounting Assistant
Mary Beth Performs a variety of accounting tasks to assist the Controller and Staff Accountant such as processing and reconciling of accounting documents which includes invoicing, departmental billing, employee reimbursements, cash receipts and vendor statements.
Kelly Pulskamp – Marketing Coordinator
Kelly Pulskamp is the Marketing Coordinator and supports the Vice President of Marketing as well as the Loyalty Program manager through a variety of marketing and customer service functions. Her responsibilities are to execute strategies for Social Media and act as a primary point of contact for inbound consumer problems/issues/compliments regarding the Club Yogi™ Rewards program. Kelly graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2013 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Telecommunications. She has worked in marketing and social media for three years and joined LSI in 2015. She enjoys keeping up with the latest trends and finding new ways to market Jellystone Parks.
Maurice & Margie Dettman – Operational Consultants
Responsibilities include overseeing the Jellystone Park in Bloomington, IN and conducting annual Franchise Reviews and Recommendations for various locations. Margie and Maurice owned and operated the Jellystone Park in Natural Bridge, VA for more than 10 years and are Certified Park Operators. Maurice, a graduate of Michigan State University, had a long, successful career with Raytheon and 30 years with Ethan Allen, Inc. Margie attended Berkeley School of Interior Design, and worked in product development and customer service in the lighting industry prior to purchasing the campground.
