New Orleans Overachievers: The 2017 Conference Program Committee

September 5, 2017, Feature, by National Recreation and Park Association

2017 September Conference Content New Orleans Overachievers The 2017 Conference Program Committee 410

The 2017 Program Committee for the 2017 NRPA Annual Conference provides an invaluable level of support for NRPA staff as they work together to recruit and select the best and most relevant education sessions to serve their peers and support NRPA’s Three Pillars. Proudly representing agencies from across the country and working in a variety of capacities within parks and recreation, this team spent the better part of the year determining what topics would be of most value to their colleagues, seeking out top speakers in the field, and vetting hundreds of session applications. Below are the names of this year’s Program Committee. We sincerely thank them for their hard work, wisdom and sacrifice.

  • Dody Erickson, Deputy Director, Denver Parks & Recreation Dept
  • Edward Matthews, Bureau Manager, The City of Norfolk
  • Nikki Ginger, Professional Development Manager, Chicago Park District
  • Chuck Szoke, Executive Director, Channahon Park District
  • Dirk Richwine, Advisor
  • Michael Klitzing, Chief Operating Officer, Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation
  • Janet Bartnik,Director,Western Eagle County Metro Recreation District
  • Mark Young, Consultant/Advisor, Parks Forever Consulting
  • Wanda Ramos, Parks and Recreation Division Chief, MNCPPC
  • Kaboi Simpson, Deputy Administrator/Athletics, Clayton County Parks & Recreation
  • Inés M. Palacios, Ph.D., Director of Recreation: Programs, Partnerships & Professional Development, PlayCore
  • Tiffany Johnson, Southeast District Recreation Manager, Seattle Parks and Recreation
  • Rita Shue, Retired General Manager, Hayward Area Recreation and Park District
  • Chris Matthews, Division Director, Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation Department
  • Kirsten Barnes, Director, Five Star Recreation
  • Shonnda Smith, Chief Program Officer, New Orleans Recreation Development Commission
  • David A. Miller, Director of Parks and Recreation, City of Deerfield Beach, FL
  • Sven Leff, Director, Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation
  • Dr. Karla Henderson, Retired, North Carolina State University
  • Lucky D’Ascanio, Director, Falmouth Community Program
  • John Prue, Installation Program Director, NAVSTA Great Lakes
  • Dr. Laurel Richmond, Assistant Professor, California State University, Long Beach
  • Becky Barrick-Higgins, Community Events Manager, Bloomington Parks and Recreation
  • Michael Kirschman, Deputy Director, Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation Department