About Play It Safe Playgrounds and Park Equipment

Jordan Lynde - President

Jordan is a licensed contractor in both Arizona and Nevada, holding certifications from the Arizona Registrar of Contractors and Nevada State Contractors Board. With over 20 years of experience in playground design, bidding, building, installation, inspection, warranty, and education, Jordan founded Play It Safe Playgrounds and Park Equipment, Inc. in 2012. He has also provided instructional seminars on Playground Safety, Playground ADA Guidelines, Inclusive Play, and the Value of Play to various public and private organizations. Jordan's extensive experience and dedication to the parks communities in Arizona and Nevada make him an ideal candidate for the role of President at Play It Safe. He resides with his family in Arizona.

Debby Link - Executive Administrator

Debby has accumulated over 20 years of experience in the accounting industry, with the majority of her career being at a CPA firm. During this time, she has gained extensive knowledge in bookkeeping, budgeting, and financial statements. In 2018, Debby and her family relocated from Idaho to Arizona to embrace the sunny weather. Besides her professional life, Debby cherishes spending quality time with her loved ones and dogs, exploring new places, and creating lasting memories together.

Kenda Daria - Sales Manager

Kenda, an Arizona native, holds a business and communications degree from Oregon State University. With over 12 years of experience, she is a CPSI who has extensively studied commercial playground safety, including safety audits, ADA compliance, surfacing types, structural integrity, and play structure maintenance. From 2005 to 2015, Kenda owned a playground sales and service business and gained further industry experience with Flexground and Shade-N-Net. As an NPCAI board member and former president, she is dedicated to child safety and the creation of outdoor community spaces. Kenda's motto is "work hard and be nice," and her strong work ethic, ability to build lasting relationships, and passion for customer service make her a valuable asset to the Play It Safe family.

Joe McGinnity - Park and Playground Consultant / Central and East Arizona

Joe became a member of Play It Safe in 2014, accumulating 27 years of experience in management and sales, earning various awards in these areas. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Global Business Management with honors from the University of Phoenix, actively participating in Delta Mu Delta, International Honor Society in Business, and engaging in community service. Joe has held leadership positions in various organizations, including Mesa Public Schools SIAC councils, YMCA Youth & Government, youth sports, scouting, performing arts, and religious groups. He co-founded the Falcon Flying Club, a nonprofit offering flight instruction to teenagers, and served as a board member and vice president. Joseph plays the drums to raise funds for non-profit schools and organizations nationwide, residing and working in the Maricopa County area, bringing extensive community involvement and knowledge to his clientele in Central Arizona.

Deana Stahoviak - Park and Playground Consultant / Central and West Arizona

Deana has a diverse and enriching professional background, transitioning from the airline industry to the mortgage business and now working with Play It Safe since 2019. Her role is very people-oriented, involving close collaboration with various teams and stakeholders to ensure projects run smoothly within set parameters. She is passionate about fostering relationships and creating safe, enjoyable environments for the community. Her interests outside of work, like reading, traveling, and spending time with her family, show a well-rounded individual who values both work and personal life.

Neill Mudano - Park and Playground Consultant / Southern Nevada

Neill's extensive background in specialized customer service combined with over 20 years of management experience and leadership skills make him an invaluable asset to Play It Safe. His attention to detail and industry knowledge are commendable qualities in ensuring client satisfaction. It's clear that Neill is deeply rooted in his community, actively participating in philanthropic endeavors and supporting organizations like the Boys & Girls Club and The Shade Tree of Las Vegas.

His dedication to community service is admirable, especially through initiatives like Hannah's Closet. Outside of work, Neill enjoys coaching his son's baseball team, following sports teams like the Las Vegas Golden Knights and Chicago Bears, and pursuing his passion for wine by becoming a level one sommelier. It's inspiring to see his commitment to creating safe and welcoming public spaces for all ages in his community.

Luke Vaughn - Park and Playground Consultant / Northwestern Arizona

Luke brings a versatile set of skills and experiences to the Play It Safe team. Coming from Southern California but now calling Flagstaff home, he has immersed himself in both the academic and outdoor scenes of Northern Arizona. His degree in business economics, coupled with his background in customer service and sales, provides a solid foundation for his role within the company.

Luke's passion for the outdoors and expertise in creating engaging play areas is a valuable asset. His involvement in the NAU racquetball club and dedication to music, both through high school marching band and offering lessons to kids, showcase his diverse interests and community engagement. His love for outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and off-roading with his furry companion reflects a balanced lifestyle that aligns well with Play It Safe's commitment to creating safe and enjoyable spaces for all.

Simone Joy - Office Administrator

Simone oversees all incoming communications at Play It Safe, warmly welcoming clients through various channels. She also takes charge of social media, email marketing, and preparing materials for the sales team, showcasing her creativity and meticulous attention to detail. Originally from Washington, she enjoys spending time with her family under the Arizona sun, exploring new locations, reading, watching films, and cooking delicious dishes in her spare time.

Erika Stroum - Project Coordinator

Erika relocated from Orange County, California to Arizona in December 2007, where she channels her passion for event planning and creating safe environments for children by utilizing her attention to detail to coordinate projects and events. Her strong administrative skills and commitment to people enable her to oversee all Play It Safe construction projects, effectively managing customers, vendors, suppliers, equipment, and staff for optimal efficiency and timeliness. In addition to her role in construction, Erika also supervises Customer Service for previous Play It Safe endeavors, ensuring equipment replacement, installer scheduling, and customer communication are handled with care. Erika's dedication to children extends beyond her professional life, as she is a devoted mother to five kids and has experience running an in-home daycare and providing respite care to foster and adoptive families. During her free time, Erika enjoys attending concerts, Broadway shows, ballet performances, beach outings, hikes, and spending quality time with loved ones.

Rhonda Cox - Bid Coordinator

With over 14 years of experience in the outdoor play space industry, Rhonda Cox has built a reputation as a dedicated professional, specializing in shade structures. Her expertise and attention to detail make her an invaluable asset in reviewing plans and keeping projects organized, ensuring seamless execution from start to finish.

Rhonda is a true team player, always willing to go the extra mile to support her colleagues and ensure the success of every project. Her ability to collaborate and problem-solve has made her a trusted resource in the industry.

Outside of work, Rhonda enjoys spending time on the water, embracing her love for water sports. She also cherishes moments with her grandkids and finds joy in reading. Her passion for both her career and personal life reflects her well-rounded and dedicated nature.

Kaci Daria - Purchasing Coordinator

Kaci is a dedicated Purchasing Coordinator known for her keen attention to detail and her ability to cultivate strong vendor relationships, ensuring that every project has the resources needed to succeed. She manages order placements and contributes to the creation of accurate quotes, always aiming to deliver exceptional service.

With her energetic and cheerful personality, Kaci brings a positive and dynamic vibe to the team, excelling in a fast-paced environment while maintaining organized and efficient processes.

Born and raised in Arizona, Kaci loves spending time with friends and family, exploring new travel destinations, and discovering exciting cuisines. One day, she hopes to channel her enthusiasm into joining a bowling league.

Michelle Persaud - Purchasing Coordinator

Michelle, a proud Arizona native, serves as the Quoting Coordinator at Play it Safe Playgrounds, where she plays a vital role in supporting the sales team. She is dedicated to delivering accurate and timely quotes, ensuring customers get the information they need exactly when they need it. Michelle works closely with vendors, efficiently managing order placements and consistently meeting tight deadlines.

Her keen attention to detail and proactive approach make her a trusted resource for precise quotes, while her positive attitude adds a vibrant energy to every interaction. Michelle’s exceptional organizational skills and commitment to excellence make her an invaluable member of the team.

Outside of work, Michelle enjoys expressing her creativity through art, hitting the slopes on her snowboard, and spending cherished moments with her husband.

Erika Somar - Director of Business Development

Erika Somar brings over 22 years of experience in sales, advertising, and marketing to the Play It Safe team, with a proven track record in both the Phoenix market and national campaigns. She excels at building strong relationships with Architects, Landscape Architects, Home Builders, and Community Managers. Erika’s collaborative approach ensures our products are thoughtfully integrated into project plans and designs—while giving partners the confidence that we’ll continue to support their service and repair needs long after the installation is complete.

Outside the office, Erika enjoys life in Gilbert with her blended family—her boyfriend, his 12-year-old daughter, her own two daughters (14 and 16), and their beloved dog. She’s also a proud mom to her oldest daughter (28), who will be graduating as a Registered Nurse by the end of 2025. Together, they enjoy paddleboarding, hiking, swimming, beach getaways to Rocky Point, and spirited family game nights.

Matt Rhoton - Park and Playground Consultant Southern Arizona

Matt brings more than two decades of leadership in project planning, creative design, and client relations to Play It Safe Playgrounds. As a former leader in higher education technology, Matt has led cross-functional teams through complex, mission-driven projects, carefully balancing scope, budget and timelines while building strong relationships with stakeholders at every level.

Matt thrives on turning big ideas into practical plans, managing vendors, reducing risks and keeping communication clear from kickoff to delivery. He’s now bringing that same expertise to Play It Safe Playgrounds, helping communities in Southern Arizona design and plan parks and playgrounds that fit their unique needs.

Living in the East Valley with his wife and four children, Matt enjoys family RV adventures, being outdoors and tackling DIY backyard projects.

Brittany Wray - Administrative Assistant

Brittany is a seasoned Administrative Support Specialist with 15 years of experience, recognized for her exceptional attention to detail and commitment to ensuring the smooth, efficient operation of Play It Safe Playgrounds and Equipment. In her role, she goes beyond standard administrative duties, applying specialized knowledge, organizational expertise, and strong communication skills to support critical business functions across the office.

Her cheerful personality and positive energy bring a dynamic presence to the team, allowing her to thrive in fast-paced environments while keeping processes organized and running seamlessly.

Originally from California but raised in various places, Brittany enjoys spending time with friends and family, attending rodeos, and exploring different cuisines around the valley. One day, she dreams of living on a farm and becoming fully self-sufficient alongside her family.