Discover the stories behind our incredible HPPR members! Each month, we shine a spotlight on one of our members, highlighting their achievements, contributions, and experiences. Get inspired by their journey and learn more about the diverse talents and passions within our community.
Eric Valdez
Director of Parks and Recreation
City of Richland Hills, Texas
www.richlandhills.com
Can you share your roadmap that led to your current position (e.g. please include positions held, certifications, and education that is relevant to your position).
Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to be given an opportunity to lead and serve with professionals who have made a huge impact on my career. In earlier roles, such as Recreation Specialist for the City of Garland and Recreation Manager at the City of Bedford, I was able to work with colleagues and community members to find ways to meet the needs of the community. I learned early in my career that building relationships was key to help me succeed at managing recreation, aquatics, and senior facilities, developing and implementing strategic policies, and leading staff to achieve departmental and professional goals.
Over the past 5 years, serving as a District Manager for the City of Dallas, I was responsible for supporting 14 recreation facilities and a team of 75 full-time employees. I often said that I had 14 bosses (Facility Supervisors) that I worked everyday to champion their efforts. The fondest memory from my time in Dallas is working alongside some of the most dedicated recreation center staff members that were committed to making a difference in the community every day. The leadership on display everyday by staff members Antonio Raya, Dylon Hernandez, Rick Rosenstengle, Darius Tse, Cameron Canada, Marisol Hernandez, Rosa Gallegos, and David Lopez to name a few was amazing to witness and has made me a better parks and recreation professional.
My professional development is not only impacted by the lessons learned along my journey, but also by advanced certifications and education, including a Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M, Certified Parks and Recreation Executive (CPRE), and graduating from the NRPA Directors School. I believe my commitment to my professional development and the development of others reflects my commitment to excellence and innovation in the field. Additionally, my involvement with various industry boards and committees shows my dedication to advancing community recreation and park services.
As the newly appointed Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Richland Hills, Texas, I am excited to take the lessons and experiences I have had along the way and use them to enhance the quality of life for residents in the community. I am most excited to help develop a team that will have an impact on managing a portfolio that includes The Link Event & Recreation Center, diverse recreation programs and special events, and park development projects.
Current Career Goals and Accomplishments:
As the new Director of Parks and Recreation in Richland Hills, my primary goal is to enhance community engagement through effective park and recreation management. I aim to successfully implement the Parks Master Plan, elevate our facilities and programs, and foster a high-performing team dedicated to exceptional customer service. I am particularly focused on driving forward park development projects and ensuring that our services continue to meet the diverse needs of our community. I also remain committed to develop the next wave for parks and recreation professionals that will lead this industry into the future.
What I Enjoy About Being a Park and Recreation Professional:
Being a park and recreation professional allows me to contribute to the well-being and enrichment of the community. I find great satisfaction in creating and maintaining spaces where people can connect, stay active, and enjoy quality recreational experiences. It’s fulfilling to see the positive impact of our programs and facilities on the lives of residents and to play a role in fostering vibrant, healthy communities.
Gabby Vera
Director of Parks and Recreation
Lake Havasu City
www.lhcaz.gov
What are your current career goals and/or what do you wish to accomplish in your new role?
Believe it or not, my dream since the age of 12 has been to become a Parks and Recreation Director. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would reach this career milestone by the age of 30. Right now, I’m soaking in every moment and focusing on the present. What’s next or what my future career goals might be, I’m not sure yet—I’m just enjoying this incredible journey. Honestly, I’m still pinching myself.
Taking on the role of Director of Parks and Recreation for Lake Havasu City is a true honor and an exciting challenge. As a relatively newer city, incorporated in 1978, there’s incredible potential for growth within our department, and I’m thrilled to be at the forefront of this transformation.
We have a lot of groundwork to cover. One of our most pressing needs is the development of a master plan, which currently does not exist. This is at the top of my list. Crafting this comprehensive master plan will be crucial in establishing a solid foundation and a clear, strategic roadmap for the future. This plan will guide us towards a prosperous future, ensuring that we are meeting and exceeding the community’s wants and needs as we continue to grow.
Long term I have big plans, starting with the ambitious goal of seeing our department become accredited through CAPRA (Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies). This accreditation will be a testament to our department’s commitment to excellence as well as our commitment to serving our community.
I’m excited about the possibilities ahead!
What do you like about being a park and recreation professional?
What I love most about being a parks and recreation professional is the profound impact we can have on people’s lives and communities. Growing up as a parks and rec kid in Miami, Florida, I experienced firsthand how these programs can shape a person’s life. My local parks and recreation department kept me out of trouble, introduced me to lifelong friends, and provided a second family through the incredible staff at my local rec center.
Parks and recreation make life better. We provide spaces for people to connect, be active, and find joy. Witnessing the positive effects on the community, from kids discovering new passions to adults finding a sense of belonging, is incredibly rewarding.
Our profession can be demanding, we have to selfless a lot of the time. The hours can be long, and the mental load can be taxing, especially when working with the public. However, the rewards far outweigh the challenges. Every day I get to do this job I know I’m changing someone’s life for the better and that’s priceless.
In essence, I don’t just like being a parks and recreation professional—I absolutely love it. It’s more than a job; it’s my calling.
Career Road Map:
Director of Parks and Recreation
Park Superintendent
Recreation Coordinator II
Recreation Manager
Recreation Leader/ Admin
Recreation Manager
Recreation Leader
Park Service Aide
Education:
Certifications:
Committees:
Awards:
Speaking Engagements:
Published Work:
You’ve Got This! | Open Space | National Recreation and Park Association (nrpa.org)
Podcast Appearance:
Franky Lazo
Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation
City of Dania Beach
daniabeachfl.gov
Current Career Goals & Accomplish in New Role:
I recently started my new role as Deputy Director with the City of Dania Beach and could not be any happier. The City recently approved their parks system masterplan and we our now in the implementation stages. All of our parks and recreational facilities will start being renovated one at a time. With facilities being renovated and improved we will increase our staffing to offer new recreational programs and enhance our existing activities. Aside from improving facilities and enhancing programs, our special events are reaching max capacity in terms of attendance. My goal is to help elevate the department to new heights and make operations more efficient. My biggest strength is providing support to staff, my direct reports and my department director. I plan on helping staff members to grow and develop and reach all of their personal and professional goals.
Throughout my career, I have been very blessed to have moved up very quickly. My end goal was to one day be a Parks and Recreation Director, but that goal has shifted. The more I have learned about government and helping build community, the more I have fallen in love with being a Public Servant. My end goal is to one day be in City Management, whether it be as a Deputy City Manager or maybe even the highest role of City Manager. I will continue to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to hopefully one day reach this career milestone. The reason I strive to do this is to provide leadership and support to staff, while also doing what is right to help the community, I am a part of thrive and be successful.
Like About Being a Park and Recreation Professional
What I enjoy most about being a park and recreation professional is the ability to give back to the community. In parks and recreation, we are the front line employees to our residents and community members. We provide physical, social and mental benefits to people; that sometimes go unnoticed. Parks and recreation professionals usually enter our field through the passion and love for it. We work nights, weekends, holidays or whenever necessary because that is when people are getting off of work and come to us to enjoy our recreational or leisure offerings. I grew up through parks and recreation and the memorable experiences I had growing up shaped me into the professional I am today.
Aside from being a park and recreation professional I am proud to be a Cuban American with parents who migrated from Cuba in the 1980s. My family came to Hialeah, Florida for a better opportunity and I will always be grateful and appreciative of that. Every time someone ask me where I am from, I will always say Cuban from Hialeah. I very proud to represent my roots (Cuba) and the City that raised me (Hialeah).
Career Path:
City of Dania Beach: Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation; February 2024 – Present
City of Boynton Beach: Assistant Director of Recreation and Parks; December 2021 – February 2024
City of Boynton Beach: Parks Superintendent; August 2020 – December 2021 (Promoted Internally)
City of Hollywood: Assistant Parks and Athletics Manager; January 2019 – August 2020
City of Sweetwater: Sports and Activities Director; April 2018 – October 2018
City of Coral Springs: Parks and Recreation Coordinator; April 2017 – April 2018
City of Doral: Assistant Park Manager; October 2016 – April 2017
City of Miami Beach: Recreation Leader; November 2015 – October 2016 (Secondary Employment)
City of Doral: Recreation / Park Service Aide; February 2014 – October 2016 (Promoted Internally)
Certifications:
National Recreation and Park Association, Certified Park and Recreation Professional
Education:
Master’s Degree in Recreation and Sport Management; Florida International University
Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation and Sport Management; Florida International University
Clarissa Garcia
Chief Communications and Engagement Officer
National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)
Can you share your roadmap that led to your current position (e.g. please include positions held, certifications, and education that is relevant to your position).
I’m a career professional in the nonprofit world and spent more than twenty years in the public health sector — but I didn’t take a traditional path to get here. Upon graduating from college, I was unsure of my career path and decided to dive into the workforce in order to figure it out. I realized pretty quickly what I didn’t like to do and that I wanted to be in a profession where I could make a difference. One of my first jobs out of college was at a community nonprofit offering a wide array of programs; my focus was on teaching the dangers of secondhand smoke. I delivered talks to many community groups and would get head nods, but I never knew if I was getting through. Then I was sent to cover a meeting for a colleague where several nonprofits gathered to discuss how to work together to pass a smoke-free ordinance in the community. At that meeting, I realized policy initiatives and systems change could have a tremendous impact, and I was hooked. My entry level role at the local nonprofit led to a fulfilling position at the American Cancer Society in New Hampshire where I established local coalitions to pass smoke-free laws town by town. I was able to advance to the position of Grassroots Manager and work on state campaigns across all cancer issues. The training and mentorship offered was amazing, and I wouldn’t be where I am had they not invested in me. I was sent to the Advocacy Institute and completed their fellowship program, won a team award for the New England region for my work and successfully passed the first smoke-free ordinances in the state. After my professional accomplishments with the American Cancer Society, I was able to land my dream job with the American Heart Association (AHA) in Washington, D.C. I started in the role of Grassroots Manager and then advanced to Director. These roles included creating national grassroots campaigns, which required creativity and marketing chops to develop key messages, campaign themes, clever visual materials, dedicated website content and social media strategies. During my tenure, I received several industry awards for my work as well as awards within the organization. Advocacy is my first love, but I realized marketing and communications was a strength that I could leverage in other ways. I went on to tackle several other roles while at AHA. I led cause marketing campaigns, supported strategic planning, drove revenue for multi-million-dollar initiatives, managed countless volunteer committees and built teams from the ground up. Being a part of a large non-profit provided a wealth of experiences and opportunities that allowed me to succeed as an executive manager. Fast forward to January 2023 when I started a new role at the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) serving as their first-ever Chief Communications and Engagement Officer leading their marketing, communications and advocacy teams. This role feels made for me, and I couldn’t be more honored to have been chosen from more than 700 applicants. NRPA marries my love of advocacy with my marketing and communications skills. We also are in the midst of strategic planning; it feels like fate to join the team and contribute my experience to a field new to me.
What are your current career goals and/or what do you wish to accomplish in your new role?
Now that I have been with NRPA for a year, I feel like I have survived the first year of learning all the ins and outs of the organization, and now I get to focus on the work at hand. Next year will be a big year for NRPA, as we plan to roll out a new strategic plan and celebrate our 60th anniversary. The Marketing and Engagement team will play a critical role in communicating the future vision for the organization and helping bring the plan to life. Our primary goal is to raise awareness and increase support for the park and recreation field. We want to share stories about the power of parks and recreation and how it can positively transform communities. When we share these stories, we can change hearts and minds to create a movement.
What do you like about being a park and recreation professional?
I am still in awe of the scope of work involved in being a park and recreation professional. When you realize how parks and recreation shows up in your life, you begin to understand the amazing impact it can have. To put it in perspective, my kids received Out-of-School Time (OST) care thanks to parks and recreation, I get daily exercise enjoying walks in the park with
my golden retriever, my family enjoys social events offered by our local park and recreation agencies (e.g., a summer concert series, the annual holiday parade), my kids grew up playing team sports because of parks and recreation, and our lives are better because of the community investment in parks and recreation. I can truly say if not for the work of NRPA and the members
doing the work at the community level, we wouldn’t have the same love and appreciation for everything parks and recreation offers.
Jacob Zuniga, MPA, CPRP
Assistant Director
Parks & Recreation Department
Jacob, the Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Deer Park, Texas, brings a wealth of experience and passion for enhancing communities and providing equitable opportunities for all. A first-generation college graduate with a B.S. in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Sciences from Texas A&M University and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington, Jacob has dedicated his career to advocating for the importance of parks and recreation in society. Recently elected as the 2024 President of the Texas Recreation and Park Society, Jacob is committed to leading with integrity, fostering inclusivity, and advocating for greater investment in our infrastructure to ensure that parks and recreation facilities remain accessible to all. Drawing from his upbringing in a small rural South Texas town and an engaged Hispanic community, Jacob believes in the power of “la familia” mentality and collaboration to create a better society and unite people regardless of their differences. Together, we can provide opportunities for individuals to become successful and contribute positively to our world. Juntos Podemos!
Jacob has been in the field for just over 17 years and became a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional in 2020. This is also the same year that his organization earned its CAPRA certification.
Below is a list of board positions Jacob has held:
Texas Recreation and Parks Society