Hi! I am Molly Elder, the LCARC Operations Manager. I am a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder, where I worked at the university recreation center for 4 years and graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration and marketing.

After graduation, I entered the Peace Corps and served 2 years as a business development volunteer in Mali, West Africa. After returning to the states, I worked as a loan officer at a bank in Colorado for 7 years.

My husband and I moved to Lake Crystal in June of 2007 and couldn't be happier. We love running around after our two children, Elmden Charles (2) and his new baby sister, Avery Vivian. For fun, we like to go camping, go fishing or boating, and just play with our two spoiled dogs, Mac and Maggie.

Hi, I'm Jennifer Yost, the aquatics manager and facilty rental coordinator at the LCARC. I graduated from St. Peter High School in 2002 and attended Gustavus Adolphus College where I played one year of hockey. I graduated from Gustavus in May of 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Health Fitness and a coaching minor. I previously worked at the St. Peter indoor and outdoor pool for eight years, where I assisted in management and taught a variety of courses. I also coached middle school soccer for two years and dabbled in many athletic activities. I currently reside on a farm between St. Peter and Nicollet. I married Jake Yost from the Nicollet area.  We have two daughters, Kyla Ray (2) and her new sister Jaylin Jo. We also have a dog, Rosco, and between a dog, a new baby and a toddler, they keep us running all directions.  In addition we also tend to stay active with sports, demolition derbies and family. 

Hi, I'm Stephanie Pipal, the Health and Fitness Manager at the LCARC.  I graduated from Mankato West High School in 2003.  After that I attended Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato where I was a member of the soccer team for 4 years.  I was a team captain and made the All-Conference team for two of those years.  I graduated in May 2009 with a degree in Exercise Science and minors in Health Communication and Coaching.  I am a certified personal trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and am also a certified group fitness instructor. Now that I am done playing soccer competitively, I stay involved with soccer by coaching a Mankato United club team in the summer.  I enjoy staying active, being outdoors, traveling, and relaxing and having fun with my friends.

Hi, I'm Katie Leonard. I love my job here as the Fit Kids Coordinator and enjoy spending time with youth in this area. I graduated from MSU, Mankato in 2008 with a degree in Earth Science, since then I have have working at the LCARC. I am currently working for my Master's Degree in Geography at MSU. In my free time I love bieng with friends and family, and my cat Dezzy.

Hi, I'm Galen Nilson, Director of Maintenance, Logistics and Custodial Duties. I also drive the school bus for the LCARC Fit Kids program. I joined the staff in October 2000. Before that, my wife Rhonna and I owned and operated our own restaurant for 23 years. I also have worked in sales and in the grocery business.

We have three grown sons, all of whom reside in the Lake Crystal area.

Hello! I'm Jessica Graham, and I have been working as the the Front Desk Manager and Program Manager at the LCARC since March of 2008. I work on creating a wide variety of programs for children, adults, teens, and families to enjoy at our facility.

I graduated from Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial High School in 2006 and am currently in my last year as an undergradutate at MSU, Mankato for my degree in Psychology with a minor in Social Welfare.

Besides working with the front desk and creating programs, I am also a Fit Kids instructor and am recently a certified lifeguard as well, so I always have something to keep my busy at the Rec Center!

Outside work and school, I like to be outdoors, play softball, have fun, and relax with my friends, my family, and my cat Chomper.

Hi everyone! My name is Debbie Behnke. I currently work as a water aerobics instructor, lifeguarding, corporate memberships, coordinating worksite wellness and bringing the news of fitness throughout our community. Working at the Rec Center has been a plus; just knowing that you are helping to make a difference in peoples lives and they make a difference in yours is a very rewarding experience.

I graduated from the Mankato Vocational School in 1978. I am married to Rick, and together we are blessed with 2 children, Elisha and Joseph. Our daughter lives in California and our son and his wife, Katie live in Worthington, Minnesota. We are very proud of our family and enjoy spending time with them. We also have two crazy cats, Bear and Yogi and they often make us laugh.

Rick and I enjoy traveling, spending time with our family and friends, doing 1-day trips and taking in all the great surroundings. We like to garden and canning, most sporting events, bicycling, going for walks, church and just being together is important to both of us.