APR Innovators is an Asheville Parks & Recreation series highlighting team members going above and beyond to bring huge value to community members through knowledge, connections, and insight that come from a desire to create the best city possible through the power of high-quality recreation programs and safe parks that welcome everyone.
When did you join the Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) team?
I was lucky enough to join the team in October of 2020! My career at APR started as the Ballfield Supervisor, where I focused on creating clean, safe, and beautiful spaces for our community’s athletes. Then, I moved to the Downtown Parks & Mowing Supervisor role, managing the upkeep of our busiest, high-priority urban parks. Now, as a Parks Manager, I oversee multiple teams, including janitorial, trades, and weekend and night crews.
After completing my graduate studies in Recreation Management, I was inspired to join APR because I wanted to immediately apply my skills and knowledge to a career focused on serving a community I deeply care about. I’ve always admired Asheville’s commitment to its outdoor spaces, and I knew working here would be a rewarding experience.
How have you grown professionally by working with APR?
I’ve had the chance to earn multiple certifications and licenses working for the City of Asheville, including Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) and Aquatics Facility Operator (AFO), as well as securing my North Carolina Pesticide License. Additionally, attending Parks and Recreation Maintenance Management School in West Virginia, a comprehensive two-year professional development program designed to teach park and recreation professionals how to develop and manage a wide variety of maintenance programs. These have equipped me with the resources to be the best manager I can be.
Which accomplishments are you most proud of in terms of your work with the department?
I’m definitely most proud of the ability to manage and empower our incredibly talented teams while refining our operations. A key part of our success has been finding better, more efficient processes that allow our crews to perform their work at the highest possible level. We’ve improved the quality and speed of our service across all parks, but we’ve also created an environment where our team members feel both valued and effective – and that’s a huge accomplishment for me.
For me, working for APR means having a career that I genuinely enjoy and deeply care about every single day. I get to collaborate with outstanding professionals as a team to make a positive, tangible impact on our community, which is incredibly fulfilling.
How have impacts of Tropical Storm Helene changed or affected the way you approach your work?
Though I am not originally from North Carolina, the Asheville community welcomed me with open arms, and that sense of connection profoundly influenced my response to Tropical Storm Helene. Starting the day after the storm, I worked long days providing essential resources, filling water, and clearing debris – just eager to help in any way I could. More than anything, Helene demonstrated the incredible power of a community working together to accomplish a shared goal. This is something I now apply to various situations in my work, not just natural disasters.
What do you do when you’re not working?
I like to relax by golfing, hiking, visiting local breweries, and making time to hang out with friends, family, and my dog Cooper. I also dedicate way too much time and energy being an avid fan of Buffalo Bills and Syracuse University athletics.
How would you complete this sentence: I work for APR because…
I get to make a positive impact on a community that I love. Growing up everyone always says, “pick a career that you love” – and that’s exactly what I found!
Join Eric and other parks and recreation professionals making significant impact as they work to build a strong, healthy, and happy place to live. Current opportunities to work with Asheville Parks & Recreation can be found online.