Ray Lauenstein
Business & Project Development Manager
Aquatic Development Group
Cohoes, New York - U.S.A.
Featured in
World Waterpark Magazine, October/November 2020
WHAT IS YOUR EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE?
I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s of education in sport science.
WHAT MADE YOU GO INTO THIS FIELD?
Waterparks are fun so I thought: why not try to work for a company that designs and builds them? Kind of simple.
WHAT ASPECT OF THE WATERPARK INDUSTRY DO YOU LIKE BEST?
The people. Guests, park staff, fellow vendors— it’s what makes the industry. These are the people who ultimately validate what you do.
WHO HAS MOST INSPIRED YOU IN YOUR CAREER?
My father. He was a business owner, cared about people and knew how to get things done.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE GREATEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR WATERPARK CAREER?
Sales cycles can be very very long. Working on something you might not sell for 1-3 years, or more, can be a challenge.
HOW DO YOU KEEP FOCUSED AND MOTIVATED?
I have a family so that’s an easy one. They are also proud of what I do and enjoy visiting places were I have been involved in a project. So when we go places, I get their feedback and see their excitement and that motivates me. I think my daughters have been on 8 different FlowRiders around the U.S., to give you an idea.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS IN TERESTED IN WORKING IN THE WATERPARK INDUSTRY?
Learn the entire industry, even if what you do or sell does not directly relate. The more you can be a resource to someone, the greater your value is.
WHAT BOOKS OR PUBLICATIONS DO YOU RELY ON MOST FOR INSPIR ATION OR MOTIVATION?
TED Talks are key for me and I enjoy all the trade publications as well as design and architecture magazines. I also enjoy stories of successful people.
Shoe Dog, which tells the Phil Knight story is an example. Success is always very perilous at some stage.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB?
My favorite part is when I go see a completed project, with guests actively using the venue, after being involved when it was pre-idea, raw dirt and nothing more. Since we are so deeply involved with our clients, we work through way more than rides and pools. I can see how all the items we worked on—decks, buildings, pathways, even theming—were worked out in the project and that’s a deep connection to the project.
WHAT CAREER OR BUSINESS WOULD YOU CONSIDER IF YOU WERE STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN?
I’d be a detective. I like to connect the dots.
HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED WITH THE WWA?
ADG has been a member and supporter since day 1. With my job in project development, I started to attend the shows.
WHAT IS SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOU THAT FEW KNOW OR WOULD GUESS?
I have published two books on the topic of college athletic recruiting. They are targeted to student athletes that are not the top ranked kids, but want to find a way to keep playing after high school. That was a while ago, but I did consulting and had a very busy web site and digital newsletter to support it.