Meet the Management
DIRECTOR
The Director of Recreation and Parks is Karen Kendrick Mier. Mrs. Mier brings with her 32 years of recreational experience within the Division and over 35 years in the field of recreation and parks. She began her career with the Division as a part time Recreation Leader at Three Chopt Elementary School in 1976. She went on to hold numerous jobs as she worked her way through the Division including Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Senior Adult Specialist, Special Programs Supervisor, Recreation Manager and Assistant Director. Karen was promoted to the Director position in January 2007.The Director's office can be reached at 501-5104.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Neil Luther is the Assistant Director of Recreation and Parks. Neil began his career in recreation and parks in 1992 as a planner with the Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation Department before moving in 1997 to Charlotte, NC to take a position as Natural Resource Planner with Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation. He also served as a Principal Planner for the City of Charlotte overseeing land use and transportation planning before moving back to Richmond to take a job as Assistant Parks Planning Supervisor with the Division in 2002. Neil as promoted to Parks Development Supervisor in June 2006 and to the Assistant Direcotr in 2007. The Assistant Director's office can be reached at 501-5104.
MANAGEMENT TEAM
The Management Team was created in 1989 and consists of the Director, the Assistant Director and representatives from six sections within the Division. These positions include the Controller, Park Services Manager, Parks Planning Supervisor, Management Specialist II, and the Recreation Managers.
BUSINESS
The business section is responsible for the financial compliance and control of the Division including coordinating, preparing, submitting, and monitoring the Division's capital and operating budgets. Please contact Louise Evans, Controller, at 501-5101 for further information.
PARKS PLANNING
Parks Planning is responsible for coordinating the needs assessment, long range planning, acquisition, citizen input, master planning, and project management processes for the Division. Call Al Azzarone, Recreation/Parks Planner at 501-5120 for more information.
PARK SERVICES
Park Services is responsible for maintenance services to over 105 park and school locations, natural resources management, as well as the repair and preventive maintenance of 121 existing Recreation and Parks structures and facilities. To learn more about Park Services Operations, call Ray Pauley, Park Services Manager, 727-8201.
RECREATION SERVICES
Our Recreation Services includes Recreation Programs, Sports, and Facilities. Call Debbie Cassidy, Recreation Manager, at 501-5113 for further information.
Another section of Recreation Services includes History, and Special Programs. Call Karen Perkins, Recreation Manager, at 501-5130 for further information.