Meet Our Team
The Hub executive team is made up of three alumni who began working together in early 2020 with the initial idea to create a home exchange site, based on the interest in an alumni house exchange group on Facebook. That idea quickly grew bigger until the site became the communication and networking hub it is now.
Kimmo Vallema
Originally from Finland and traveled in D90. Currently living in Germany. Kimmo served on the UWPIAA IT Team from 2000-2002, was the UWPIAA IT Chair on the board of governors from 2002-2006, and then served on the UWPIAA Web team from 2006-2014. He initiated this Hub project. To keep from becoming totally bored, he is also part of a coaching staff for a German 1. Bundesliga Floorball-Team.
Sheila Walsh Dettloff
Originally from Iowa and traveled in D84. She now lives in Michigan. Sheila’s experience as a copywriter and copyeditor define her role as writer and proofreader on the Hub. Sheila served on the UWPIAA board of governors beginning in 2002, first as Communications chair and then as secretary. After leaving the board, she continued volunteering on UpBeat for a few years. She has been cast rep for the D-Tour (D84) for 20 years. When she’s not getting talked into volunteering for UWP, she likes to kayak, bike, and snowshoe.
Clint Smith
Clint was born and raised in south Georgia (USA) and traveled in D84. Having worked 30-plus years in the hospitality industry, he currently calls Florida home. Clint served on the UWPIAA Board of Governors as an Era Rep and Secretary, and currently serves on the Finance Committee. Travel continues to be a driving force with bags always packed and ready to go. In recent years St. Croix (USVI) has been a favorite vacation and rejuvenation spot.