Leadership for the future: choosing a new executive director as one NRPA - NRPA Perspectives

Parks & Recreation, Feb, 2003 by David Lose

Recently, some members have voiced concerns that the missions of particular branches might somehow become diluted through the One NRPA initiative. We value the contributions of all our branches and are sensitive to these concerns. However, it's our hope that each branch of NRPA Will become strengthened through One NRPA. Through this initiative, all our members have the opportunity to become engaged in issues of particular interest to each branch. One NRPA enables us to push these issues more forcefully in Congress and in our policies than any one branch could alone. As One NRPA, we're stronger and can accomplish more.

Seldom has this organization accomplished more or met a challenge more gracefully than in our current search for a new executive director. NRPA enjoyed a long period of strong leadership under former executive director Dean Tice, so this kind of transition is relatively new to us. What's more, this transition came upon NRPA when we were experiencing some financial difficulties while trying to expand our mission.

Before we began to consider the future, we had to take care of the present. Bob Hall came out of retirement to serve us as the interim executive director. Rather than employing a wait-and-see approach, Bob has made the hard decisions necessary to keep us moving forward. These have included important financial steps that have helped us get back on track in that area. In fact, I've just reviewed the latest financial report, and am delighted to say that we're on very solid ground. There's still work to do, but we are moving in the right direction.

NRPA decided to use our in-house expertise in the search for the future executive director. The search committee and transition teams have gone about their tasks with an impressive energy and ability.

Alice Conkey stepped forward to lead NRPA's efforts in this regard. Alice and her screening committee carefully reviewed more than 150 resumes that were received. They narrowed the field to 12 candidates, who then were asked to submit written answers to questions. At that point, the search committee stepped in. Citizen members of the committee are: Eric O'Brien, a former NRPA chairman and president of O'Brien & Sons; Trudy Coxe, president & CEO of the Preservation Society of Newport County, R.I.; Bob Farnsworth, president & CEO of Playcore, Inc.; and Perry Segura, president of Perry Segura Hospital Architects, Inc. Along with Alice, professional members of the committee are: Michal Ann Lord, executive director of the Texas Recreation & Park Society; Marvin Billups, Jr., past president of NRPA; and Eleanor Wormack, executive director of the Florida Parks & Recreation Association. As you can see, the members of the committee have a great deal of NRPA leadership experience. They are also proven managers of businesses and associations, giving them the experience and knowledge to choose a leader for us.

Next, the committee chose six finalists and asked them to submit videotaped answers to further questions, while Alice prepared reference reports on each of them. Each of the six was then interviewed in person. In early February, the committee chose two candidates for a final interview. They will come to NRPA headquarters for two days, when they will meet with staff, have more interviews, and tour our facilities and area. The search committee will then make their recommendation to the executive committee. If all goes as planned, the announcement of our new executive director will be made at our Legislative Forum on Parks & Recreation later this month.

A transition team is being formed to help the new executive director. The team will help set goals for the new executive director's first few months and help that individual become acclimated to the organization.

I thank Alice, the search committee and everyone else involved for their dedication to this important task. Their efforts are a great example of how much we can accomplish as One NRPA.