ABOUT US
Park Place Singles started out with the involvement of a lot of people - singles that were willing to share their frustrations, hopes and dreams with us which helped to lay the groundwork for what you see today. Which is exactly why Park Place Singles is now 'about you', our members! Your individual ideas and efforts are what is now giving this organization a wonderful personality all its own and a pulse that's beating with vibrant activity! We know that as you continue to share your time, talents and ideas, Park Place Singles - your organization - will continue to be the most exciting place for a single to be today!
We would like to introduce you to a few people who are committed to making Park Place Singles an organization that makes finding that special person in your life an exciting journey - NOT an excruciating event!
Audra
Vice President of Marketing
Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places??
If you haven't already had the wonderful pleasure of meeting Audra, chances are good you will when you come in for more information or an interview for membership. She genuinely cares about others and has a unique ability to get to the heart - hopes and dreams - of people she interviews for membership. This comes, in part, from the fact that she has experienced first hand the ups and downs frustrating so many singles today!
In her quest to find a lasting relationship, she has tried many of the current meeting and dating venues. Having given up bars some years ago, Audra has met others on internet dating sites, blind dates, a dating service and yes - to no avail, she's even hung out at Home Depot from time to time with the hope of a chance encounter (& claims she likes shopping there)! She knows the disappointment of finally making an 'electronic connection' only to find out, more often than not, that the chemistry is missing face to face or the other person had not been totally honest. And the blind dates set up by well-meaning friends and family. on second thought, let's move on to the Pizza Party for her church's singles group. In addition to Audra, there were two women and one gentleman - all who were at least a generation older than her - not that she didn't enjoy their company, but none of them were exactly what she was looking for to be the father of her future children!
People tell her she's too selective and that at her age she can't afford to be! They say what her parents have (see below) is rare and she probably won't find it. Her response has always been "I would rather be alone, as a single person, than feel lonely in a relationship with the wrong man. My parents have warped my sense of values. I am waiting for true love - not money or lust. Although, (she added mischievously), all three wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing!"
Audra has extensive experience in both sales and marketing. By building strong and honest relationships with her clients, she has become a top sales leader in each organization she has worked with. Most recently she was an executive with a 26 year old nationally known dating service giving her vast experience interviewing and getting to the 'heart' of singles from all walks of life. She has come to believe that when you bring quality singles together in an arena where they can do the activities they enjoy with likeminded singles, wonderful connections - whether friendship or love - will be formed.
Steve and Susan
President & Vice President (not saying in which order!)
Soul Mates
Steve and Susan are a young, fun-loving couple who have been happily married for 30 years! They met on Easter Sunday, 1971, while canoeing at a PLACE called Stone Mountain PARK just outside Atlanta , GA. That, in itself, is a fun story they would love to share with you at one of the events! That day, however, turned into a great friendship but the likelihood of it being more would have been considered highly unlikely. As Susan put it, "I don't believe anyone would have matched us in a profile. In some ways we couldn't have been more different and, if I had seen a picture of him beforehand, I might have said 'no thanks'. On second thought, maybe not - he was really good looking with a great body! The problem was that he was a 'long haired hippie' from California who wanted to be a Park Ranger and that didn't entirely mesh with the requirements of a fairly straight-laced missionary's kid who was on track (according to my mother) to marry a doctor, lawyer or preacher!"
From fun-loving friendship, it wasn't long before Steve and Susan knew there was a lot more to what they felt about each other and their relationship progressed to lovers and partners. This progression was not a replacement of the friendship, but proved to be additions that led to a connection that has only grown deeper and stronger through the years. After 30 years, friends & family members still say they are the 'poster children' for great marriages. They have a vision for providing a place - a PARK kind of PLACE - where strong and lasting relationships have a chance to grow and develop naturally and singles will have the opportunity to find their special someone they can share their life experiences with!
Steve and Susan also make a great team professionally. They have a strong vision of the future and are able to adjust to changing times. Together, they built one of the largest organizations in the nation with a well known 32 year old, publicly held company. In 2002, they sold that business to the nationally known Football 'Hall of Fame' member and businessman, Fran Tarkenton. They bring vast experience and strong talents in organization recruitment, administration and event planning and promotion.
Tracy
Event Coordinator
Tracy is 'twenty something' and single. She loves going out with her friends, but feels it's extremely difficult to meet anyone in that scene you would want to pursue a relationship with. "It seems that most people you meet in bars are not looking for love - they're looking for tonight. Many times the quiet, nice ones are passed over because the loud and obnoxious ones are in your face. No thanks." Tracy has also been extremely hesitant to go on the internet or to attend other meeting venues such as speed dating. It's not that she doesn't want to meet someone - she definitely wouldn't object if the right person crossed her path, but at this stage of her life, she's just ready to have the opportunity to meet others she can have fun with!
By now, it's probably obvious that the people who are part of the management of Park Place Singles have something in common - heart. Tracy is no exception. With her wonderful adventurous spirit, she loves to travel and experience new things. She is in her element when she can be planning, organizing & participating in fun events - which is why she excels at both Promotion and Event Planning. She has experience in Cincinnati , Columbus , Denver and even the beautiful Greek Island of Crete ! (FYI - she's also a great hairstylist and has kept a lot of the management team looking good!!) Due to the fact that we are a totally 'activity-based' organization, Tracy has a big job! The Event Planning Committee is invaluable in helping her to keep our calendar full, fun and varied!
Heather
Office Acquisitions and Design
When you walk into our offices on Billingsley Road , the immediate impact is warm, inviting and classy! This is due to Heather's untiring efforts AND patience in putting up with the rest of us through the decorating process! Although decorating has not previously been her profession, it has long been one of her many passions and she has obviously honed her skills well - learning the hard way!
Having been to 34 countries (back-packing through most of them), you could definitely say that Heather is well-traveled! We're not sure if she picked up a few decorating ideas along the way but we do know she picked up her husband of 2 ½ years! On one of her many trips, she was in a small grocery store in Norita , Japan , when she 'bumped' into a tall, good-looking, adventurous pilot from Anchorage , AK . Now with homes in both Madison , WI and Anchorage , they are able to share their lives and adventures together! As Park Place Singles develops locations in future cities, as much as her busy schedule will allow, we plan on keeping Heather's creative juices flowing!
Amy
Volunteer and Charitable Activities Amy is excited about Park Place - with good reason! She found the 'love of her life', another member of Park Place Singles, at one of our events. She is also excited about heading up our volunteer activities. Hmmm... wonder how long we'll have her...
With an organization as active and vital as this one is, delegation is vital - if there was just someone to delegate to ! Then along came Amy - truly a gift to Park Place Singles! Amy has been a member of the Dublin Women's Club, a non-profit service organization, since 2001. Serving as Chair Person for many of their events such as wine tastings and their famous 'Harvest Moon Ball', she has learned the finer points of heading up volunteer activities and fundraising events. Amy loves volunteering, water & snow skiing, scuba diving, wine tastings, jewelry making and just about any outdoor activity!
Elsie
Mentor & Charitable Advisor
A Lifetime of Love Given & Received
Elsie is one of the visionaries behind the scenes. She is also happily married to her third husband! Now that might lead you to believe either that she doesn't have a great 'batting average' or that hopefully the third time is the charm! The fact of the matter is that by the age of 54, Elsie was widowed not once, but twice. Both of these husbands were preachers . Now this could lead you to to believe that Elsie was bad luck or that preaching is a deadly occupation. Maybe even she didn't know if either was the case because over the next 20 plus years, having had two marriages that were strong love relationships, she immersed herself in her Christian and charitable work and never so much as even dated. It came as a total surprise to her friends and family when, at the tender age of 78, she eloped with a man she had known 50 years before! AND, he was a preacher! No one is sure who was the bravest - him or her!
They have spent the last 5½ years as best friends, wonderful companions and an inspiration to all who know them - and they're still going strong!
Professionally, Elsie has always had a vision for helping people who were less fortunate and has dedicated herself for almost 50 years to the 'down and out'. Because of the influence she has had on our lives, Park Place Singles shares her vision in giving back to the community by sharing our time, money and resources. Through her Executive positions at various charitable facilities she has both directed and founded, she has given numerous individuals from all walks of life a 'hand up' to become productive and self-sufficient. Progressing from a Rehabilitation Home for Alcoholics, an Unwed Mothers Home, and a Children's Home, Elsie opened the first Mission for Women in Atlanta, GA, giving women from all walks of life the opportunity to have a 'safe haven', support and counseling while getting back on their feet from whatever hardship or addiction had taken them down. From there, upon her retirement, she rolled up her sleeves (one more time); gathered a like-minded board of directors; did massive fundraising and opened a facility for women with children who had no place to go called Village Atlanta! Because of her influence, these organizations are still active, growing and helping people today.
Always looking for funds and volunteers in each of her endeavors, Elsie knows that with 54% of the heads of households in America being single today, they are a huge, untapped resource for charitable institutions. She not only wants singles to have a dignified place to meet (I believe she has a few of her grandchildren in mind), but she knows that the local community will benefit by the wonderful efforts of the members of Park Place Singles!
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