Last month, 21 retail team members from across Delaware North’s subsidiaries successfully completed the 2025 Visual Merchandising Aspire program, gaining new skills in merchandising, store presentation and customer engagement. The program aims to help participants develop their creativity, enhance the guest experience and support business growth.
The Delaware North program was created in 2023 based on feedback from retail units and in 2025 expanded to an enterprisewide program available to all subsidiaries.
Developed by Visual Merchandising Director David Helms and Regional Visual Merchandising Manager Casey Nichols, the program consists of three learning levels designed to build skills that drive business results through merchandising behaviors. Nichols and Regional Visual Merchandising Manager Will Tripp facilitated the program in their respective regions.
“The Aspire Program has not only expanded my knowledge of visual merchandising; it has given me the tools to teach others the guidelines and techniques they need to create their own compelling visual merchandising stories,” said Lacey Calvo, retail manager at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, which Delaware North operates for NASA in Florida.
The newest graduating cohort will help train the 2026 class and use their newly honed merchandising skills to support their respective units.
Above: Merchandising displays developed by the newest graduates of the Visual Merchandising Aspire program.
“I feel incredibly honored to have been a part of the Visual Merchandising Aspire program,” said Eric Garcia, retail supervisor at Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers. “It has significantly enhanced my merchandising skills, giving me the opportunity to maintain a visually appealing store for guests shopping at the team store.”
2025 Visual Merchandising Aspire program graduates:
- Rylea Brown, Trendz at the Park, Estes Park, Colo.
- Melissa Zimmerman and Nicky Bohorfoush, Kalaloch Lodge, Olympic National Park
- Dodi Griffith and Kai Judkins, Yellowstone General Stores
- Jennifer Weber, Kings Canyon National Park
- Shira Landman, Grand Canyon National Park
- Brittani Strickler, Shenandoah National Park
- Derek Ryan and Lacey Calvo, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
- Zander Cardona, Niagara Falls State Park
- Eric Garcia and Jenni Aguirre, Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers
- Aaliyah Hardaway, Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals
- Taylor Arriola and Michelle Rodriguez, Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres
- Robby Hanna, Nationwide Arena, home of the Columbus Blue Jackets
- Emilie Frain, Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins
- Karen Weatherspoon, Southland Casino Hotel in West Memphis, Ark.
- Nicole Wolfe, Buffalo Niagara International Airport
- Mari Salas, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport