Join Dr. Alison Green, your podcast host, for Waves of Impact from the University of West Florida's Hospitality and Tourism Management program. Take a listen to industry leaders, career insights, and hospitality education. From Gulf Coast beaches to global destinations, discover how tourism drives economies, cultural exchange, and leadership development. Each episode delivers expert interviews, industry trends, and practical leadership advice for hospitality professionals, students, and travel enthusiasts exploring careers in hotel management, restaurant operations, and tourism development.
Listen to episodes
4 recent
April 21, 2026Episode 930 min
Shelby | General Manager of Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park | ....the world is ever‑changing
In this episode of Waves of Impact, Ali Green interviews Shelby, General Manager of Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park in Destin, Florida, about what it takes to lead a complex, high‑risk attraction with a hands‑on, people‑first approach. Shelby unpacks her leadership style—from starting each day with “daily dive” huddles and in‑park visibility to designing recognition‑driven staff events that keep seasonal team members engaged through the entire summer. She also shares how she helped shape a new operations internship within Lucky Strike Entertainment’s growing portfolio of waterparks, positioning students to gain broad, cross‑department experience and a potential pathway into full‑time leadership roles.Shelby is an Alumni of the GH&TM program here at the University of West Florida, class of 2020. We are all so proud of her accomplishments throughout the years, and it was a delight to have her share her experiences.
April 10, 2026Episode 949 min
Anamarie Mixon and Anna Lochas | UWF Stadium and Events | When you win a lot, it's hard to get people to want to play against you....sometimes you have to step up to the next level
Dr. Green and students from the HR in Hospitality program sit down with Anamarie Mixon, Assistant Vice President, and Anna Lochas, Assistant Director, of the University of West Florida's exciting new University Conferencing, Events and Youth Services department. This is a milestone moment for UWF and the greater Pensacola community, and these two dynamic leaders are at the center of it all. From centralizing campus events to preparing for the university's highly anticipated multi-use stadium, Anamarie and Anna share the vision, the energy, and the momentum behind what is shaping up to be a game-changing chapter for UWF. As the university makes its bold move to Division I athletics, this department is poised to bring world-class events, community engagement, and premier experiences to Pensacola like never before. This is UWF stepping into its next great era, and you won't want to miss it.ANAMARIE MIXON — BioAnamarie Mixon, Assistant Vice President of University Conferencing, Events and Youth Services at the University of West Florida, is a driven and dynamic professional whose passion lies at the intersection of leadership, strategy, and organizational development. She believes we are defined not by our titles but by who we are, and that our actions are the clearest expression of our character. A strategic thinker who thrives in fast-paced, ever-evolving environments, Anamarie leads, plans, coordinates, and executes a broad series of events annually while continually working to create efficiencies that increase productivity without sacrificing integrity in work or culture. A seasoned public speaker, she uses storytelling as a vehicle for meaningful change. Outside of her professional life, Anamarie volunteers with the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, serving on the Silent Auction Committee as a fundraiser and advocate for children and families navigating a pediatric cancer diagnosis.ANNA LOCHAS — BioAnna Lochas is the Assistant Director of University Conferencing, Events and Youth Services at the University of West Florida, a role that feels like a natural homecoming for someone who has been an Argonaut since birth — literally, having attended the UWF childcare center as an infant. Anna earned her Bachelor of Science in Hospitality, Recreation, and Resort Management and her Master of Science in Public Administration from UWF, later adding a Master of Science in Event Leadership from the University of Central Florida. Her career at UWF has spanned multiple departments, including Continuing Education, the UWF Historic Trust, and the Office of the President, where she served as Board of Trustees liaison before transitioning into her current role. She is the current President of Pensacola Young Professionals and is also active in the Junior League of Pensacola and Impact 100. In 2025, she was recognized as UWF's Employee of the Year.
April 1, 2026Episode 922 min
Jake Lange | UWF Offensive Assistant / Quarterbacks | The purest form of love is accountability.
In this episode of Waves of Impact, we sit down with Jake Lange, Offensive Assistant/Quarterbacks Coach at the University of West Florida (UWF). Moving beyond the playbook, Jake offers a fascinating look at how the "grind" of college athletics has fundamentally shifted in the digital age.We explore the transition from the old-school "midnight at the library" era to a modern landscape where student-athletes are managing personal brands, social media platforms, and high-speed information processing. Jake shares his unique perspective on leadership, explaining why his role is less of a "job" and more of a "calling" to build men of character.In this episode, we discuss:Key HR & Leadership Takeaways:The Evolution of the "Workday": Analyzing how flexible environments (online classes) and mobile technology have altered the daily routines and attention spans of modern talent.Brand Alignment vs. Workplace Behavior: Navigating the "new reality" where every team member has a public platform. We discuss how to protect the organizational profile while empowering individual brands.The Culture of Accountability: Why true leadership and retention is directly aligned in everything in the daily life of a coach.Reducing "Turnover" of Character: Jake shares his mission to ensure his "players" (talent) evolve into better versions of themselves, creating a legacy of excellence that lasts long after they leave the building.Guest Bio:Jake Lange is an Offensive Assistant and Quarterbacks Coach at the University of West Florida. A native of Jackson, Mississippi, Jake brings a blend of high-level athletic experience and a deep commitment to mentorship and player development.
March 26, 2026Episode 926 min
Dr. Fried and Dr. Dastrup | UWF Sport Management Program | When I hire, I want someone who's going to be better than me
In this episode of Waves of Impact, host Dr. Ali Green sits down with two of UWF's own, Dr. Gil Fried and Dr. Ryan Dastrup, both Professors in the Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business, for a wide-ranging conversation about the role human resources plays across every corner of the sport and hospitality industry. Recorded live with students from the HR in Hospitality course (HFT3221, Spring 2026), the episode is as much a classroom moment as it is an industry conversation.Dr. Fried, a sport law specialist and expert witness in more than 200 cases, opens the discussion with the hard truth that most organizations learn too late: the breakdown almost always starts before the guest arrives. From negligent hiring and background checks to the legal concept of respondeat superior, the idea that employers are responsible for the actions of their employees on the job, he draws a direct line between HR process and guest safety. He also challenges conventional thinking about workplace communication, arguing that most HR communication is ignored precisely because there is too much of it, and that what organizations actually need is less noise and more signal.Dr. Dastrup brings the perspective of sport business, sharing a firsthand example of a sponsorship activation that nearly derailed because HR was left out of the planning process entirely. A missing signature turned a straightforward video shoot into an organizational headache. His point is clear: HR is not a department you loop in at the end. It is the glue.Together, they field questions from students on morale, communication, what employers actually look for in interns and new hires, and how to think about your first job not as a destination but as a direction. Dr. Fried closes with a challenge to students: stop thinking about the interview as something being done to you, and start thinking about whether the organization is worth your talent.The episode ends with two surprises, one classically trained pianist and one co-author of a comic strip. You will have to listen to find out which is which.This episode is part of the HR in Hospitality series, produced by students in Dr. Green's course at UWF, exploring the gap between the internal customer (employees) and the external customer (guests).Guest Bios:Dr. Gil Fried is a tenured Full Professor at the University of West Florida's Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business, specializing in sport law, facility management, and risk. He received his master's in sport management and his law degree from The Ohio State University. He has authored more than 19 books used in over 140 universities worldwide and has served as an expert witness in more than 200 cases involving crowd safety, venue management, and facility liability. He is Editor-in-Chief of Sports Facilities and the Law and Co-Editor of Legal Issues in Sports Betting.Dr. Ryan Dastrup is an Assistant Professor in the Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business at the University of West Florida, where his research focuses on sport sponsorship, spectator engagement, and the gap between academic scholarship and industry practice. He is the co-author of the Shaking Up Sports column with Ricard Jensen and has published peer-reviewed research on mega-event programming and fan behavior. He brings both research rigor and real-world sport business experience to his teaching at UWF.
Is this your show?
Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.
