West Bloomfield Parks
and Recreation Commission Hires Executive Director
West Bloomfield, December 11, 2014 — The West Bloomfield Parks and
Recreation Commission (WBPRC) has hired a new executive director after an
extensive recruiting and interview process. Jennifer Tucker has more than 20
years of experience in the parks and recreation industry, 16 of which were
spent as a director. She will oversee all
parks and recreation operations, work closely with the seven-member elected
Commission and manage the WBPRC’s budget.
Tucker served as the parks and
recreation director for Springfield Township for 16 years where she was
responsible for the operation of a 650-acre park system. Most notable among her accomplishments is her
environmental work in the area. She
secured more than $300,000 in conservation activity grant funding since 2005
which allowed her to create a conservation program from the ground up. Tucker also planned and administered all
stewardship activities including prescribed burns, invasive species removal,
habitat restoration as well as managed a globally-renowned wetland complex that
has been deemed the most ecologically pristine worldwide. Additional grant
funds for development, acquisition and community enrichment totaling over $1.5
million are to Tucker’s credit.
Tucker has served as the
chairperson of the Parks Resource Committee and as a member of the Leadership
Team for the Michigan Parks and Recreation Association (MRPA) for five and four
years, respectively. In 2013, she was
awarded the Park Resource Leadership Award from MRPA for outstanding
accomplishments in maintenance practice, equipment management, resource
development and environmental stewardship.
Her department was also given two marketing awards and one nature
interpretive programming award in the same year.
“Jennifer is highly regarded
throughout the parks and recreation industry and she has established valuable
partnerships with organizations across the state,” said Marc Jeffries,
chairperson for the WBPRC. “The
Commission launched a very competitive search, and we feel we’ve found a
director with a great deal of well-rounded experience to bring to West
Bloomfield.”
Tucker has a Bachelor of
Science in Parks and Recreation Management from Eastern Michigan
University. She has held Certified Parks
and Recreation Professional status since 1997 which requires fulfilling
experience and education requirements, passing a comprehensive exam and
completing continuing education. She
currently resides in Grand Blanc with her husband Aaron and two children; Ella,
nine and Emmett, four.
For additional information, contact:
Meagan Kurnat, Public Information Coordinator
About The West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation Commission
The West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation Commission, established by voter mandate in 1970, is committed to the residents of West Bloomfield. Our mission is to meet the community's recreation, leisure and social needs by acquiring and enhancing public parkland and supporting year-round facilities and programs for youth, teens, adults, families and seniors. Our goal is to enhance the quality of life in our community by providing facilities, programs and natural settings for the enjoyment of residents. More information can be found at www.westbloomfieldparks.org.
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