RecLess Podcast

Maxime Pierre, MPA, CPRP - District Superintendent for the City of Ft. Worth, TX - highlights a new era of the Young Professional Network and making it their own, making big decisions early in a career, and being a young manager in the midst of a leadership change. Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he resides with his wife and children. To...

Stacie Anaya presents her three rules for success and happiness and speaks to a leadership style that has led to developing a program that is a contender for this year's national gold medal award, and scaling the department in a way that has led to excellence that extends to all departments in the city. Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he...

Kara Kish - Director of Parks and Recreation - Loveland, CO speaks to her unique leadership philosophy, resiliency, and experiences serving in various capacities around the country. She highlights her participation in the young professionals network of NRPA, being a woman in a male dominated field, and the principles that guide her beliefs and direction. Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Rec...

Stephen C. Bentley, CPRP - Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources, Raleigh, NC;speaks to saying yes to opportunity, building relationships and relying on other's expertise to reach greatness, programming and managing at a city level, and bringing innovation and revitalization to a city through the arts. Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, T...

Cortney Weinstock, CPRE As Deputy Director of Administration for Baltimore County Recreation and Parks - she highlights stepping into various cities and programs around the US, and finding the common threads that make a professional effective and successful, the importance of a supportive family unit to a parks professional, and showing a new community that you care as you step in to bring new opp...

This episode brought to you by Cody Brenner Design - https://www.codynbrenner.com/ Lindsay Labas - VP of Marketing and Communications at 500 Festival, Inc. She highlights the differences and similarities of working for a nonprofit vs. a parks and recreation organization. She shouts out the systems and programs that make her job a little easier, and how she has taken past experiences into programmi...

This episode brought to you by Cody Brenner Design - https://www.codynbrenner.com/ Katie Dupont - Executive Director of Massachusetts Park and Recreation Association speaks to the responsibility of developing and educating new professionals in the field, and providing for smaller areas with a staff of one as a part time employee. She discusses staying the course, representing, developing, and prov...

This episode brought to you by Cody Brenner Design - https://www.codynbrenner.com/ Edwin J. Rivera Guzman, CPRP - Chair of Hispanic Professionals in Parks & Recreation, current PhD student at Clemson, and a current park guide with National Park Service provides insight into the current landscape of parks at the Federal level, finding his way into the field and creating a space for and serving...

RecLess 4, Ep 7 - Melissa Termine Battite, CPRP, Director of Recreation and Community Programs - Town of Lexington, MA and Nicholas Campion, Assistant Recreation Director - Danvers, MA. Recorded live at the 2025 Massachusetts Recreation and Park Association Annual State Conference. Melissa is a past president and Nick is the current Vice President of MRPA. They spoke to the importance of membershi...

Meredith Lawrence, MPA, CPRE - Parks & Rec Director/Assistant Public Works Director, Mendota Heights, MN - highlights various mentoring styles, transitioning to public works, and creating culture in a department. 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 Re...

Paula Willis, CPRP - Parks and Recreation Director at South Fayette Township, PA speaks to funding and growing a small department, lessons learned, and aspirations in the field. 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, whe...

Anthony Iracki, MS, CPRP - CORE Professional Development Manager, PlayCore - highlights his affinity for professional development, personal branding, and promoting all aspects of parks and recreation in the public and private sector. Click here to learn more:https://anthonyinparks.com/ Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he resides with his...

Matt Carusona - Associate Director of Professional Development and Oglebay School Director, NC State highlights his involvement with and development of curriculum and leaders in the field and marketing the field of parks and recreation to the next generation. Click here to learn more about Supervisors Management School:https://learning.nrpa.org/supervisors-management-school Click here to learn mor...

Trey Mancini - Professional Athlete, Baseball World Series Winner, Cancer Survivor speaks to the impact of parks and recreation on his personal life, overcoming hardship, stepping into leadership, and supporting and partnering others within a community. Click here to learn more about Trey's foundation and work within the community.www.treymancinifoundation.com Shane Mize is the Director of Par...

Annie Frisoli is a dynamic keynote speaker, author, and culture strategist who specializes in transforming organizational values and leadership practices into actionable, impactful frameworks. She speaks to using and implementing the Working Genius, educating future professionals, shaping and supporting current professionals and joining Shane, Jay, and Tom at the 2025 Massachusetts Parks and Recre...

RecLess 3, Ep 17 Season 3 Recap - Hosted by Hannah Mize Enjoy audience questions and reflections on season 3. 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 10-year Director of Parks and Recreation in Hilton-Parma, New York, where he resides with his wife Melissa, son Jack, and daughter Amelia....

Ryan Davis - Director of Parks and Recreation, Miamisburg, OH speaks to the importance of Directors school, having hard conversations, and using health issues to his advantage. Directors School - https://learning.nrpa.org/directors-school 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 10-year Di...

Trista Taylor, CPRP - Deputy Parks & Recreation Director, Village of Cottage Grove, WI, speaks to making connections, finding a second career, and thriving in a small department. 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 10-year Director of Parks and Recreation in Hilton-Parma, New York...

Hillary Roemersberger, CPRP, Arvada, Colorado, Director of Recreation Services, Apex Park and Recreation District speaks to her experience with aquatics and overseeing high level facilities. Arvada Aquatics Center - https://apexprd.org/facility/arvada-aquatics-center/ Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he resides with his wife and children....

Karen Hesser is the Chief Executive Officer for Five Rivers MetroParks, in Dayton, Ohio. Her 40 year career has spanned multiple positions including Chief Park Ranger, Regional Park Superintendent, and Assistant Director. She is a current member of the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration. She speaks to the importance of making connections and cultivating relationships in a care...

Cindie Sullivan, CPRP, is the current President of the American Academy for Park & Recreation Administration and is the retired Assistant Director of the Somerset County Park Commission (SCPC), with 40 years of parks and recreation experience. She speaks to her "why" in the field of parks and recreation, creating a network, and the importance of mentoring at all stages of a career. CPC - Confe...

Jason Olson is the Director of Parks and Recreation for the city of Norman, OK. Jeff Edwards is the CEO and Executive Director of the River Parks Authority in Tulsa, OK. They participated in a live interview at the state Oklahoma Parks and Recreation Association convention in Norman, OK speaking to programming for various types of parks, funding, and partnerships. Show links: The Young Family Athl...

Ashley Faulcon, Program Coordinator - Youth/Community Services, East Brunswick, NJ discusses meaningful programming for teens and the highlights of her professional journey that has led to a momentous year. Show links: The Municipal Article - https://www.themunicipal.com/2024/10/faulcon-finds-her-element-setting-youth-up-for-success/ 30 Under 30 Article - https://www.nrpa.org/parks-recreation-maga...

Nate Williams - Director of Parks and Recreation - Excelsior Springs, MO - speaks to recognizing and developing leadership qualities, incorporating and utilizing the geniuses of a team, and creativity in programming. Click to learn more about the Working Genius - https://www.workinggenius.com/ Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he resides w...

Linda Kotowski - CPRP, past president of NRPA, and Member of the American Academy of Park and Recreation Administration - highlights her support of the Academy Extern program, her work as a mentor to young professionals, and her experience in the field. Click this link to learn more about the Academy Extern Program - https://aapra.org/Programs/Extern-Program Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and...