The 3rd Level Team

Frank Sahlein has been involved with the industry since 1967 – as gymnast, martial artist, coach, business owner, consultant and business broker. Frank is a native of San Mateo, California and graduated from Hillsdale High School. He attended San Jose State University on a gymnastics scholarship, and graduated in 1976. Frank and his wife Shauna pioneered the Children’s Learning Opportunity Center (CLOC) concept – a unique blend of sports instruction, child care & education, entertainment and outreach, culminating in the amazing WINGS Center (est. 1974), a 35,000 s.f. working lab of synergistic programs. The management systems Frank designed allow the the Wings Center to run with minimal owner time. These operational systems have set a template for children’s activity centers, and - as a result - 3rd Level Consulting is sought out by clients in our industry for customized consulting, expansion, management, valuation and brokerage services. Frank has been a regular presenter on business trends and topics at state, regional and national congresses since 1982. He travels extensively, consulting with 3rd Level clients. In August, 2009 Frank received the National Business Leader Award from USA Gymnastics for the second time. Frank has delivered business presentations for USA Gymnastics, the US Swim School Association, the Dance Studio Pro Seminars, the Martial Arts Supershow and various cheerleading associations. Frank is is married with two children and two grandchildren. His hobbies include CrossFit training, reading and motorcycle touring. He loves combining his passions of consulting and motorcycle touring!

Email Frank at: frank@3rdlevelconsulting.com

Ron Ludwig is a member of the International Business Brokers Association, (IBBA) and is a Certified Business Intermediary, (CBI) . He has a bachelors Degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a masters degree from West Virginia University. Ron and his wife, Nancy Kludt, owned Twisters Sports Center in Mountain View, California for over 20 years. During their career at Twisters the business grew from $200,000 annual revenue to $1.5 Million. Twisters started as a gymnastics club but grew into a multi-faceted children’s fitness center. Prior to managing Twisters, Ron was the gymnastics head coach at Oregon State University (1975 - 1985). Ron has worked with 3rd Level Consulting for several years and recently sold Twisters Sports Center to join 3rd Level as a full time partner.

Email Ron at: ron@3rdlevelconsulting.com

John Muno is a member of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), and has attained CBI status as a Certified Business Intermediary. He has been a presenter at USAG National Congress and his Illinois State Congress. Until the sale of his business and associated real estate in 2005, Mr. Muno, owned/managed Elite Sports Complex in Downers Grove, Illinois, a 30,000 square foot, multi-faceted children’s gymnastics and sports facility, which was opened in 1995, grew to over $ 1 Million gross revenue, and was the host training site for the 1996 USA Olympic Rhythmic Gymnastics team. Prior to that, he was the Director for the Downers Grove Park District where he was responsible for managing over 125 staff members, numerous recreation/fitness facilities and a $3M annual budget. Muno earned both bachelors and masters degrees from Western Illinois University, where he was also a scholarship student-athlete. He also is a partner in WM Real Estate Properties LLC, a real estate development company based in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Email John at: john@3rdlevelconsulting.com

Don Spencer is the Founder and Executive Director of Operations of Go For It, USA. He also founded the Go For It Challenge, one of the largest competitions in the USA. A real estate investor, Don attended Oklahoma State University on a football scholarship and earned a B.S. in Mechanical Design Engineering. He has been a professional member since 1979 of USA Gymnastics. Other memberships and certifications Don has held include: President for the American Group Gymnastics Association; Executive Board Member for Character Counts Organization; USA Gymnastics National Safety Certification Instructor since 1998; Nevada USAG Board Member since 2000; Professional voting member since 1990 of US Elite Coaches Association; Nationally Safety Certified since 1988; CPR and First Aid certified since 1987; USA Gymnastics Professional Development Program certified instructor; Meet Director certified since 1990; American Sport Education Program “Leader Level Coach” certified; Gymnastics Judge from 1979-94; 1992-94 National Team Coach with USA Gymnastics; USA Gymnastics Colorado State Board Member 1990-1992; Executive Chairman for gymnastics at Colorado State Games in 1992. Don is an avid fly fisherman, snow skier, and - in his rare spare time - a collector of shot glasses.

Email Don at: don@3rdlevelconsulting.com

Nancy is the coordinater of the increasingly popular BBTC. Please contact her with any questions regarding the conference.

Email Nancy at: nancy.bbtc@gmail.com

We are proud to introduce Lorraine as our 3rd Level Canadian representative. As the owner of the 2009 Club of the Year, she is highly qualified to assist the specific needs of the gymnastics and children’s activity centers in Canada.

Email Lorraine at: ljcurrie@sympatico.ca

We are proud to welcome Lisa and Katherine as our 3rd Level representatives in western Canada who own and operate the successful Cartwheels, Inc., gymnastics-based children's centers in British Columbia (Surrey and Richmond).

Email Lisa at: lisa@cartwheels.ca

A valuable player on the 3rd Level team, Jaime can assist with any issue.

Email Jaime at: jaime@3rdlevelconsulting.com