Zachary Earl
Kissell
General Manager — The Rink at Campus Martius Park
Recreation leader, community builder, and the person behind America's #1 public ice rink two years running.
#1 Best Public Ice Rink
in the United States
Voted the "No. 1 Best Ice Skating Rink" in the country by USA Today 10Best in both 2024 and 2025 — two consecutive years at the top. I, Zach Kissell, run the entire operation.
2,000+
Skaters Daily
7
Days a Week
2x
USA Today #1
Nov–Mar
Season
See It
Happening Now
Campus Martius Park — Live View
Live overview of the park, The Rink, and Woodward Avenue
Drizzle
Feels Like
36°F
Wind
10 mph
Humidity
98%
09:06:01 AM
Friday, February 20, 2026
What's Happening
at The Rink
2025/2026 Season Hours
January 5 — March 1, 2026
Adults: $10 · Children (12 & under): $8 · Skate Rental: $5
Bank of America cardholders: $2 off admission
Questions or group rates: 313.963.9393
Broomball
Teams face off on the ice in partnership with Come Play Detroit. Fast-paced fun and friendly competition.
Learn to Skate
Clinics for beginners of all ages. Our experienced team will have you gliding in no time.
Chalet 313 Lounge
A stunning two-story heated lounge by Gardner White with 360-degree views of the rink, tree, and skyline.
Holiday Tree Lighting
The season opener ceremony featuring Detroit's towering Christmas tree and dazzling holiday lights.
Champion Skaters
Olympic and U.S. champion athletes perform annually — Nathan Chen, Meryl Davis, Charlie White, and more.
Where I've
Made an Impact
From the 2002 Winter Olympics to America's #1 ice rink, my career spans recreation management, hospitality, entrepreneurship, multi-site operations, and high-performance driving. Every role has been about building community and delivering results.
General Manager
Operating the #1 public outdoor ice rink in the United States, voted best two years running by USA Today 10Best. Responsible for the full scope of rink operations serving 2,000+ skaters daily in the heart of downtown Detroit.
- —Lead public safety, staffing, scheduling, vendor coordination, and crowd management
- —Serve 2,000+ skaters daily across a 7-day-a-week, holiday-inclusive season
- —Coordinate with Downtown Detroit Partnership on events including Broomball, Learn to Skate, and holiday programming
Owner / Operator
Founded and expanded a locally-sourced fast food restaurant to two downtown locations in Amherstburg, Ontario. Built a neighborhood gathering place from the ground up, earning press coverage and a loyal following for handcrafted burgers and community spirit.
- —Grew from one to two downtown locations with a registered sole proprietorship
- —Developed expertise in tourism seasonality, staffing, and budgeting
- —Featured in local restaurant reviews for quality and community impact
- —Supported local economies and built lasting community relationships
Regional Director of Sales & Marketing
Led multi-state sales and marketing teams through a period of rapid company growth, overseeing workforce planning, budgeting, forecasting, and municipal coordination across multiple markets.
- —Led multi-state teams with full P&L responsibility
- —Managed workforce planning, budgeting, and forecasting
- —Coordinated with municipal partners to support rapid expansion
Director of Operations
Oversaw multi-site facilities, staffing, and maintenance programs during a significant expansion phase, scaling the operation from a handful of stores to eleven locations across the Cleveland, Ohio area.
- —Oversaw multi-site facilities, staffing, and maintenance
- —Managed expansion to 11 locations across the Cleveland metro area
- —Standardized operations across all sites
Recreation & Entertainment Manager
Directed family-focused recreation programming at one of the country's premier themed resorts, balancing high-volume guest experiences with safety, inclusion, and the energy of a major entertainment brand.
- —Directed family-focused recreation programming in a high-volume environment
- —Balanced safety and inclusion with high-energy entertainment
- —Managed programming for one of Viacom's flagship resort properties
Public Recreation Manager
Managed safety-critical public recreation operations at the venue built for the 2002 Winter Olympics, overseeing daily public use and major events at one of the most iconic winter sports facilities in North America.
- —Managed safety-critical public recreation operations
- —Oversaw daily public use and major event programming
- —Maintained Olympic-standard safety protocols
On Mountain Guide
Provided on-mountain guidance and support during the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, ensuring safe and positive experiences for athletes, officials, and spectators in a high-stakes international environment.
- —Provided on-mountain guidance during the 2002 Winter Olympics
- —Ensured safety for athletes, officials, and spectators
- —Operated in a high-stakes international environment
Professional Test Driver (Part-Time)
Conduct post-modification test drives on vehicles equipped with aftermarket performance parts and tuned engines, evaluating handling, safety, and overall vehicle performance to ensure quality standards are met.
- —Evaluate handling, safety, and performance of modified vehicles
- —Test aftermarket performance parts and tuned engines
- —Ensure quality standards across Honda Performance Division vehicles
Credentials &
Qualifications
B.S. Commercial Recreation Management — University of Utah (Minor: Accounting), 2007
Professional Driver — Licensed Endorsements: G, M, Z
Air Brake Certified (Z Endorsement)
CPR & First Aid Certified
Serve Safe Food Handler Certified
Find
Campus Martius
Located at the intersection of Woodward Avenue and Michigan Avenue in downtown Detroit. Nearby parking and transit options are marked on the map.
Let's Build
Something Together
I'm a recreation professional with Olympic-level experience, a proven track record of running America's top-rated public ice rink, and a passion for building community through sports and outdoor programming. If you're looking for someone who leads from the front, I'd love to connect.
Detroit, MI · Available for recreation, parks, and community leadership roles