FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
|
Date: |
October 7, 2009 |
|
Contact: |
Nancy Buonanno Grennan, County Administrator |
|
PHONE: |
360-337-4403 |
| NO: |
09-54 |
Dunwiddie selected to head Kitsap's Parks &
Recreation Department
(Port Orchard, WA) –
After an
extensive community outreach process and a nationwide search, Kitsap County
has selected James R. Dunwiddie as the new head of Kitsap’s Parks and
Recreation Department.
Dunwiddie served the last twenty years as Assistant Director of Somerset
County Park Commission, a large regional park system in
New Jersey. He led budgeting, personnel, capital
planning, development and operations for over 10,000 acres of park land,
along with a variety of facilities and programs.
“Jim brings a
maturity and level of expertise that we are looking for. He has a proven
track record developing and maintaining partnerships with community and user
groups,” said Commissioner Charlotte Garrido, Chair of the Board of County
Commissioners. She added, “He
impressed us by spending a considerable amount of time getting to know Kitsap County
and our parks system.”
Commissioner Steve Bauer echoed her praise for Dunwiddie, adding,
“He has integrity, a passion for parks, and proven success in leading a
complex organization and a variety of staff.”
“Jim not only
has the essential experience in managing and operating parks and open
spaces, he spends his personal time volunteering with local baseball,
softball, soccer and golf leagues.
That experience gives Jim the ability to put together a program for
Kitsap that is sustainable for the long term,” said Commissioner
Josh Brown. In
2001, the National Recreation and Park Association awarded Dunwiddie the
Recognition of Significant Efforts (ROSE) Award honoring his outstanding
community, volunteer service in the area of youth recreation, and his
dedicated service to the parks and recreation profession.
He also has received many awards for his work on the
Somerset
County 4-H Fair.
Dunwiddie is a graduate of West Virginia
University and has completed course work towards a
Master’s degree in public administration from
Kean University,
“This is a crucial time for parks and recreation,” Dunwiddie stated when
asked about the position. “People are learning to place more value on
caring for the environment, and themselves, through wellness,” said
Dunwiddie. “I am looking forward to relocating to the
Kitsap
Peninsula and working with
the Kitsap community in the years to come,” he added.
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