About Us - OK, About Marshall Pike
Experience You Can Count On
I started Lighthouse Recreation Associates as a means to apply my skills and continue to contribute to the recreation community of service providers that I have supported throughout my professional career. In this capacity, I have helped to create visitor and guest service models that speak to our collective love and fascination with the out of doors. I learned early in life, that when you do something you love, it is easy to make a living helping others to experience the same joy you feel when you get up every day to go to work.
My early education was in aeronautics, graduating with a degree from the School of Engineering at San Jose State University. A love of flying kept me enrolled, but my true passion was manifest on weekends where I found my self always gravitating to the wild areas to be close to nature and the exhilaration that comes from venturing out and away from civilization and creature comforts. Rock climbing, mountaineering, cross country skiing, wild river rafting all called me and I was employed as a professional guide during my school years. I lead countless hikes, ascents, drifts and expeditions during that time and scaled above the 20,000 ft thin air layer on more than one occasion. Photography and videography were constant necessary skills long before the selfie and Instagram world of today.
Raised by educators, my attention was drawn to teaching, but never in the classroom. I was a field teacher and then Director of Outdoor Education in a prominent SF Bay Area County. I followed that path into camp and conference center management with the YMCA, expanding the reach of environmental education to thousands of school aged children in the process on both coasts. Moving my new family back to California from Massachusetts in 1990, I joined California Guest Services, more recently re-branded as Basecamp Hospitality, serving as its Senior VP for Business Development until my retirement in December 2019.
In my capacity as Senior VP, I became the point correspondent on virtually every major business acquisition, making their portfolio of concession properties under management the shining example of true partnerships between the public and private sector. Basecamp Hospitality has contracts with the National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, California State Parks, Oregon State Parks, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (as well as several other water utility agencies) and the Parks Departments from Santa Clara County, Monterey County, San Bernardino County and Los Angeles County.
My service includes a comprehensive consultation to help identify gaps and opportunities, a comprehensive report that includes a project plan with timelines and milestones, a cost analysis, and a schedule. Under engagement, I offer a suite of services that will help you get the results you want on time and on budget. Winning a competitive bid can never be guaranteed, but you can be confident that your submittal will be fully responsive and positioned to rise to the top.
Side Note About My Hat: When my son joined the US Navy as a 28 year old recruit, I put on my Navy hat and proudly sported a Navy Dad license plate. I always get comments of appreciation which I always correct regarding just who served our country and then thank them for their support on his behalf. I am struck by the wealth of good will people have towards our military and veterans and continue to honor them every chance I get. My services to Veteran Owned businesses are discounted by choice.
Mission statement – providing standout search, discovery and contract acquisition services to the recreation community.
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My process is designed to empower your team and outfit them with the tools they need to succeed. Talk to me today about how I can support your growth, limit your turnover, and put you on a solid track to success and profit.