Staff

MARK A. JACKSON
mark@centralfloridasports.com
Director of Tourism & Sports Marketing

Mr. Jackson is currently the Director of Central Florida's Tourism and Sports Marketing (CFTSM), an initiative of the Central Florida Development Council (CFDC) and Board of County Commissioners, an award winning program that promotes tourism, sports and economic development in Central Florida's Polk County.

Mr. Jackson brings more than 29 years of marketing, sales management and tourism experience to the position. During his tenure with the CFTSM, Mr. Jackson successfully: developed the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex; merged the VCB and Sports Marketing initiatives; created the area's first, and Florida's most honored sports commission; developed creative new golf, cycling, water sports and fishing programs; created the organization's first Visitors Services initiative and the Polk Outpost 27 Visitors Center; coordinated CFTSM's recruiting of the Florida Youth Soccer Association; Florida Sports Hall of Fame; Cleveland Indians, Independent Softball Association and the Futures Golf Tour to Polk County; and developed a community promotional program that includes a sports and tourism television show Sports Central; a sports talk radio show, Polk County Sports Hall of Fame, celebrity luncheons and television productions.

Prior to his tenure with the CFDC he was employed by a United States Olympic Committee national governing body, USA Water Ski. As the organization's first Marketing Director, Jackson created and directed a comprehensive marketing program that included corporate sponsorship, membership development, televising and promoting national and world championship events and marine industry promotional programs.

Mr. Jackson has been heavily involved in the marine industry: serving as marketing manager for MasterCraft Boat Company, a Fortune 500 subsidiary; he is currently co-owner of a MasterCraft marine dealership, Bay Area Water Sports in Land O Lakes, Florida; and for 13 years was the Director of Sea Operations for the McDonald's Air and Sea Show (4.2 million spectators) in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. His professional experience also includes 12 years of tourism and entertainment experience with: Aspen Highlands Ski Area in Aspen, Colorado; Tommy Bartlett Ski, Sky & Stage Shows in Wisconsin Dells; and he served as general manager of Timberline Ski Area in Wisconsin.

Since 1988 Mr. Jackson has worked as a color commentator on shows aired on: ESPN I, ESPN II, Outdoor Life Network, Sun Sports Network, Water Channel, Versus and various syndicated sports shows. In addition, he has authored more than 30 articles about sports and business related topics for various publications. As a result of his experience in marketing and special events, Jackson is a frequent speaker at business conferences and conventions nationwide.

Mr. Jackson graduated with a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin, he received his MBA from Florida Southern and served as an adjunct professor of economics at Polk Community College in Winter Haven, Florida. In addition to his academic and professional activities, Mr. Jackson was a professional athlete in two sports, snow skiing and water skiing.

Mr. Jackson currently serves on numerous boards, including: Florida Sports Hall of Fame; Southeast Tourism Society; Florida Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus; and is the President of the Florida Grapefruit League Association (Major League Baseball Spring Training). He also served as board member for the National Association of Responsible Professional Athletes; ''Sports For Life''; The Florida Sports Foundation; Meals On Wheels; Super Bowl XXXV Advisory Committee; and Florida 2012 - Florida's Olympic bid initiative.

MARC ZIMMERMAN
zimm@centralfloridasports.com
Sales & Events Manager
Polk County Sports Marketing

As the Sales & Events Manager, Marc is responsible for overseeing the Sales efforts of PCTSM, which includes sports events, meeting and conventions, group travel, travel trade, and consumer travel.  Marc serves as the staff liaison to the Sports & Special Events Committee as well as the Polk County All Sports Awards and Sports Hall of Fame Committee.  He also gathers and analyzes the economic impact information for each of the sponsored events in Polk County.  Marc serves on a variety of committees including the Polk Leisure Services Association and the NASC Website Development Committee and the NASC Conference Committee.

Marc brings with him experience from a variety of areas. Most recently he was promoted from being the Sports Marketing Manager for Sports Marketing, where he was responsible for recruiting events to Polk County and providing logistical and marketing assistance to event organizers.  Prior to moving to Polk County, Marc worked as the Assistant Director of Athletics at the Cocoa Expo Sports Center, a multi-sport training complex in Cocoa, Florida, where he ran baseball tournaments and a Spring Training for Collegiate and High School baseball, softball, and lacrosse teams. Marc has also served; as the Assistant General Manager for the former Greenville Bluesmen Professional Baseball Club, in Greenville, Mississippi; as the Concession Manager for Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi; as the Intramural Director also at Delta State University; as an Assistant Tournament Director for the Bud Light New England Volleyball Series; and was a former intern with Polk County Sports Marketing.

Marc received a B.S. in Business Administration in 1996 from Florida Southern College in Lakeland, and continued his education by receiving a Master's of Business Administration in 1998 from Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi.  Marc has also served as an adjunct faculty member at Webber International University and as a speaker at many conventions.

Marc resides in Lakeland with his wife and their two children, where he continues to enjoy sports and is active at their church and in the community.

NEAL DUNCAN
neal@centralfloridasports.com
Sponsorship Sales Manager
Polk County Sports Marketing

As the Sponsorship Sales Manager, Neal is responsible for overseeing and negotiating the sales of Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing (PCTSM) corporate sponsorships. He assists with both the marketing and promotion of the tourism/sports initiative and special events that enhance the economic climate and increase overnight stays in Polk County accommodations.

Neal brings a wide range of experiences with him to PCTSM. Most recently, he was the Director of Membership and Special Events for the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce. There he was responsible for recruiting new members to the chamber and acquiring sponsorships for the Chamber's functions and events. Prior to taking over membership, Neal served as the Director of Communications where he utilized his writing skills to create interest about the chamber and its events. Neal was an employee of the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce from February 2000 through January 2006.

Prior to working for the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce, Neal had experience working for the Polk County Leisure Services Division. He also completed two internships: one with Polk County Sports Marketing and one with the Central Florida Visitors and Convention Bureau. These internships fulfilled his requirements for completion of his Bachelor's Degree in Recreation and Sports Management from Indiana State University.

Neal is a former member on the American Cancer Society's Bartow/Fort Meade Board of Directors as well as serving as the Bartow Relay For Life (American Cancer Society's signature event) Chairman for 2005-2006 Relay events. Duncan is on the 2008 membership committee for the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce. Additional activities include serving on the Bartow Bloomin' Arts Committee, Cracker Storytelling Festival Committee as well as being an active member of Asbury United Methodist Church. 

Neal and his family have lived in the Bartow area for the past seven years. He and his wife have one son. His family enjoys visiting the beach, adventuring around Florida and entertaining friends and family from out of state. 

KRIS KEPRIOS
kris@centralfloridasports.com
Communications Specialist
Polk County Sports Marketing

As the Communications Specialist, Kris is responsible for public relations, advertising placement and all in-house design work. He also assists with special events.  Kris serves as PCSM’s liaison to Clark/Nikdel/Powell, which is the advertising agency for PCSM. He also hosts  PCSM's weekly sports radio show, "Sports Central" on WLKF 1430 AM and is a co-host for PCSM's weekly television show on PGTV.

Before joining PCSM as a staff member, Kris was a PCSM intern while pursuing a Communication degree from Florida Southern College. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication with a concentration in Advertising and PR in April of 2003 from Florida Southern College and started his career as Marketing Coordinator for PCSM in May of 2003. 

Kris is an active member of the Florida Public Relations Association, where he serves on the Board of Directors, the Imperial Polk Advertising Federation and the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce's young leaders program, Emerge Lakeland.

Kris was born in Marietta, GA and has lived in Polk County for 25 years. Kris and his wife now live in Lakeland where he enjoys playing golf and watching the best team in the National Football League, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

RYAN PICKLES
ryan@centralfloridasports.com
Sales and Events Representative
Polk County Sports Marketing

As the Sales and Events Representative, Ryan is responsible for recruiting and coordinating PCSM Special Events and implementing marketing, sales and promotional activities for tourism/sports marketing that generate overnight stays in Polk County accommodations and create economic impact in Polk County.  He also assists in the coordination and operations of Polk County owned and co-owned special events, including securing venues, volunteer recruitment, completion of special event bid applications, on-site special event set-up and management. Ryan serves as a liaison to PCSM's clients and is a member of the Polk Leisure Services Association and the United States Golf Association. 

Before joining PCSM as a staff member, Ryan was an intern at PCSM and he also held an internship with the Cleveland Indians while pursuing a Business degree from Webber International University. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Sports Management in December 2004 from Webber International University.  Ryan started his career as an Event Coordinator for PCSM in March of 2005.

Ryan was born in Lake Wales, FL and has lived in Polk County for 24 years.  He currently lives in Lakeland and spends his spare time golfing, going to the gym and attending University of Miami Hurricane football games.

DAWN DECAMINADA
dawn@centralfloridasports.com
Sales & Events Representative
Polk County Sports Marketing

As the Sales and Events Representative, Dawn is responsible for recruiting and coordinating PCSM Special Events and implementing marketing, sales and promotional activities for tourism/sports marketing that generate overnight stays in Polk County accommodations and create economic impact in Polk County.  She also assists in the coordination and operations of Polk County owned and co-owned special events, including securing venues, volunteer recruitment, completion of special event bid applications, on-site special event set-up and management.

Prior to joining PCSM Dawn was employed by The Golf Channel in Orlando Florida as their Tournament Affairs Coordinator. Dawn graduated with a bachelor's degree in Communication from Ohio State University. Dawn is originally from Columbus Ohio and has lived in Florida for 6 years.  Currently Dawn lives in Lakeland where she enjoys competing in triathlons, Bass fishing, and watching The Ohio State Buckeyes

JOE ALBSMEYER
joe@centralfloridasports.com
Event Coordinator
Polk County Sports Marketing

As a Sports and Special Events Coordinator, Joe is responsible for coordinating PCSM Sports and Special Events and promotional activities that generate overnight stays in Polk County accommodations and create economic impact in Polk County.  He also aids in implementing client services and agreements. He coordinates event marketing, promotions, operations and services, as well as prepares pre event attendee information, accommodations, and mailings. Joe also coordinates event operations and venues, including; facility preparation, parking, registration, television and web stream operations, banner installation, customer surveys, audio announcements, sponsorship fulfillment, score keeping, timing, organizing volunteers and post event breakdown.

Before joining PCSM as a staff member, Joe was an intern as well as a temporary project employee at PCSM. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Sport Management in December 2006 from Webber International University, where he was a member of the Sport Management Club and the Warrior's Baseball Team. Joe started his career working for PCSM in May of 2006.

Joe was born in Central Illinois and has lived in Polk County since August 2004.  He currently lives in Haines City and spends his spare time golfing, swimming, going to the gym and watching sports.