Heavenly Smith - Recreation Program Coordinator, Susquehanna Township - Harrisburg, PA converses about finding a career in and navigating parks and rec as a nontraditional hire, the path that lead to her being a Thirty Under Thirty winner, the benefit of implementing skills gained from other jobs in parks, and covers topics from mental health and building a support system, to successful conflict resolution and leadership coaching tactics.

This episode sponsored by CivicPlus - The Best-Run Local Governments Run on CivicPlus Technology - https://www.civicplus.com/

Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he resides with his wife and children.

Tom Venniro is the 11-year Director of Parks and Recreation in Hilton-Parma, New York, where he resides with his wife Melissa, son Jack, and daughter Amelia.

Jay Tryon is an 18-year park and recreation professional who loves to improve communities and their quality of life. He currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and children.

Cort Jones, NRPA Director of Content Marketing; Christina High, Social Media Manager at NRPA; Cara Myers, Marketing and Engagement Manager at NRPA; are the driving force behind Open Space - the official blog and podcast of the National Recreation and Parks Association. Listen in as they talk about the fun, responsibility, and opportunities to tell the stories of, and provide resources and tools for NRPA's professionals.Click here to learn more about Open Space - https://www.nrpa.org/blog/This episode sponsored by CivicPlus - The Best-Run Local Governments Run on CivicPlus Technology - https://www.civicplus.com/ Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he resides with his wife and children.Tom Venniro is the 11-year Director of Parks and Recreation in Hilton-Parma, New York, where he resides with his wife Melissa, son Jack, and daughter Amelia.Jay Tryon is an 18-year park and recreation professional who loves to improve communities and their quality of life. He currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and children.

Chris Hunter, CPSI - Superintendent of Park Operations at Mecklenburg County, NC offers a crash course in his leadership philosophy, strategies that have given him success in relationships as the "chief cheerleader for parks and rec," and the challenges and mindset of switching from running a parks and rec staff to a parks ops staff. Make sure to connect with him on LinkedIn to check out his Superintendent Shorts.

This episode sponsored by CivicPlus - The Best-Run Local Governments Run on CivicPlus Technology - https://www.civicplus.com/

Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he resides with his wife and children.

Tom Venniro is the 11-year Director of Parks and Recreation in Hilton-Parma, New York, where he resides with his wife Melissa, son Jack, and daughter Amelia.

Jay Tryon is an 18-year park and recreation professional who loves to improve communities and their quality of life. He currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and children.

Brandon Washington, MPA, CPRE - Recreation Program Superintendent, Casa Grande, AZ highlights his transition into the field of parks and recreation from athletics, the difference that being involved makes for a career and networking opportunities, and constantly striving for excellence as he moves into various leadership roles and pushes his career forward.

This episode sponsored by CivicPlus - The Best-Run Local Governments Run on CivicPlus Technology - https://www.civicplus.com/

Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he resides with his wife and children.

Tom Venniro is the 11-year Director of Parks and Recreation in Hilton-Parma, New York, where he resides with his wife Melissa, son Jack, and daughter Amelia.

Jay Tryon is an 18-year park and recreation professional who loves to improve communities and their quality of life. He currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and children.

Hashim Taylor - Director of Rec, Parks, & Cultural Activities, Alexandria, VA discusses his role on the board of the National Recreation and Park Association, helping steer national policy, advocating for the program, and amplifying the message for parks professionals. He also discusses his early career and his trajectory to his leadership philosophy and current role. This episode sponsored by CivicPlus - The Best-Run Local Governments Run on CivicPlus Technology - https://www.civicplus.com/ Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he resides with his wife and children.Tom Venniro is the 11-year Director of Parks and Recreation in Hilton-Parma, New York, where he resides with his wife Melissa, son Jack, and daughter Amelia.Jay Tryon is an 18-year park and recreation professional who loves to improve communities and their quality of life. He currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and children.

Molly Keays - Director of Parks and Recreation, South Windsor, CT highlights stepping from the private sector world with the YMCA into the world of public service, navigating local politics, making connections and networking with other young professionals, and finding success.

This episode sponsored by CivicPlus - The Best-Run Local Governments Run on CivicPlus Technology - https://www.civicplus.com/

Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he resides with his wife and children.

Tom Venniro is the 11-year Director of Parks and Recreation in Hilton-Parma, New York, where he resides with his wife Melissa, son Jack, and daughter Amelia.

Jay Tryon is an 18-year park and recreation professional who loves to improve communities and their quality of life. He currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and children.

Nate Salley - The Audible Coach, Former Carolina Panther NFL Player, Certified Executive Coach highlights his leadership philosophy, overcoming difficult circumstances, inspiring staff, and navigating change.

Click here to learn more - https://natesalley.com and follow on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theaudiblecoach

This episode sponsored by CivicPlus - The Best-Run Local Governments Run on CivicPlus Technology - https://www.civicplus.com/

Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he resides with his wife and children.

Tom Venniro is the 11-year Director of Parks and Recreation in Hilton-Parma, New York, where he resides with his wife Melissa, son Jack, and daughter Amelia.

Jay Tryon is an 18-year park and recreation professional who loves to improve communities and their quality of life. He currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and children.

Gabby Vera, CPRP - Director of Parks and Recreation, Lake Havasu, AZ benefitted from parks and recreation programs as a youth and her experiences have shaped her leadership philosophy, mindset, and accomplishments that has led to an award winning year, including the 2025 AZ Young Professional of the Year and the 2025 Robert Crawford award.

This episode sponsored by CivicPlus - The Best-Run Local Governments Run on CivicPlus Technology - https://www.civicplus.com/

Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he resides with his wife and children.

Tom Venniro is the 11-year Director of Parks and Recreation in Hilton-Parma, New York, where he resides with his wife Melissa, son Jack, and daughter Amelia.

Jay Tryon is an 18-year park and recreation professional who loves to improve communities and their quality of life. He currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and children.

Antonio Murphy - Executive Director of Parks and Recreation, Killeen, TX - highlights his nontraditional career journey and how he used social media as a tool to help achieve his goals.

This episode sponsored by CivicPlus - The Best-Run Local Governments Run on CivicPlus Technology - https://www.civicplus.com/

To learn more about Rec Technologies - rec.us/partner

Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he resides with his wife and children.

Tom Venniro is the 11-year Director of Parks and Recreation in Hilton-Parma, New York, where he resides with his wife Melissa, son Jack, and daughter Amelia.

Jay Tryon is an 18-year park and recreation professional who loves to improve communities and their quality of life. He currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and children.

Bernita Reese - CPRP, Director of Parks and Recreation, Columbus, OH highlights her excitement about Columbus hosting the 2029 NRPA Conference, the unique services that Columbus has to offer, and setting youth and young adults up for success, no matter their background or circumstance.

This episode sponsored by CivicPlus - The Best-Run Local Governments Run on CivicPlus Technology - https://www.civicplus.com/

To learn more about Rec Technologies - rec.us/partner

Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he resides with his wife and children.

Tom Venniro is the 11-year Director of Parks and Recreation in Hilton-Parma, New York, where he resides with his wife Melissa, son Jack, and daughter Amelia.

Jay Tryon is an 18-year park and recreation professional who loves to improve communities and their quality of life. He currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and children.