Member Spotlight

Chris Duxbury

Group Sales Coordinator 
NRH₂O Family Water Park
North Richland Hills, Texas - USA
Featured in World Waterpark Magazine, May 2020

WHAT IS YOUR EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE? 
I have an associate of science degree through Tarrant County College. I worked for 1 year as a benefits consultant with AFLAC before I got hired on full time at NRH₂O. In 2020, I will begin my 4th summer in my current position, but I have been with NRH₂O since 2010 when I started as a seasonal employee. 

WHAT CERTIFICATION OR LICENSING DO YOU HAVE? 
I am CPR/First Aid certified. I also have my Food Manager license along with my Certified Pool Operator certification. 

WHAT HONORS, AWARDS OR SPECIAL RECOGNITION HAVE YOU ACHIEVED? 
During my part-time years at NRH₂O, I won the Group Sales Departmental Award and the Norma French Award which is NRH₂O’s internal guest service award. In 2016, I was a partial Chris Stuart Emerging Leaders Scholarship recipient with WWA. 

WHAT MADE YOU GO INTO THIS FIELD? 
The comradery is what made me go into this field. Everyone we work with knows 4 months out of the year is extremely hectic all the time. The relationships you build with your team are everlasting after you survive the chaos together. 

WHAT ASPECT OF THE WATERPARK INDUSTRY DO YOU LIKE BEST? 
What I like best is the atmosphere that I have the ability create. People come to our facilities to have fun with their families and being able to create that for them is just a fantastic feeling. 

WHO HAS MOST INSPIRED YOU IN YOUR CAREER? 
The person who has inspired me the most in my career would have to be my first boss at the waterpark, Kelli Allen. Coming into the work force at 16 I was very soft spoken and didn’t express my opinion. By following her lead, she taught me how to speak up and voice my opinion. She was a great leader who encouraged me to stand my ground when needed, but to also work together as a team. 

WHAT HAS BEEN THE GREATEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR WATERPARK CAREER? 
My greatest challenge is work/ family balance during the summer. While the park is operating, like most people, I want to be at the park at all times we are open. I have had to learn where I can take a step back to make sure I am present outside of work so I am not neglecting the other parts of my life. 

HOW DO YOU KEEP FOCUSED AND MOTIVATED? 
I keep myself motivated by setting small goals that I ca n achieve on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis. If you break this down to a more micro level and you know what your end goal is, then you know what you need to do to get there. I feel like it is a good practice to tell someone your goals as well. For me it makes it real when some- one else knows what you are trying to achieve. I work harder so I don’t let that other person down. 

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN WORKING IN THE WATERPARK INDUSTRY? 
I would have to say be adaptable. There is no day that is the same during the summer. You have to learn how to be productive on a Saturday with 3,000 people and on a rainy Monday with 100 people. 

WHAT BOOKS OR PUBLICATIONS DO YOU RELY ON MOS T FOR INSPIRATION OR MOTIVATION? 
I listen to a lot of Gary Vaynerchuk to keep me inspired and motivated. I really enjoy the bluntness when he speaks. 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB? 
My favorite part of my job is when my clients tell me that their event exceeded their expectations. Whether it’s the parent of a birthday child, a CEO or a soccer coach, hearing that we were able to provide them with an exceptional experience is what is most rewarding. 

WHAT CAREER OR BUSINESS WOULD YOU CONSIDER IF YOU WERE STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN? 
If I was starting all over again, I would probably go into cybersecurity and be an ethical hacker. Everything is online now and having proper security for your systems is essential. 

HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED WITH THE WWA? 
I first got involved with WWA back in 2016 when I applied for the Chris Stuart Emerging Leaders Scholarship Program. I was able to attend the show, which made me want to come back and become more involved. 

WHAT IS SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOU THAT FEW KNOW OR WOULD GUESS? 
I am a total nerd. If I am not working at the waterpark or spending time with my wife, I am either playing video games or playing in 1 of my 3 different DND (Dungeons & Dragons) parties.