News
Donner Named Director of Henderson's Parks & Recreation Department
Becomes First Woman to be Named as Parks and Recreation Director
April 10, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE
PLEASE CONTACT CINDY HERMAN, (702) 267-2051
Henderson, Nev. – Henderson City Manager Phil Speight announced the selection of Mary Ellen Donner as director of the city of Henderson’s Parks and Recreation Department. Donner joins Henderson with more than 20 years of experience in parks and recreation administration.
She most recently served as assistant parks and recreation director in Collier County, Florida. Prior to joining Collier County in 1989, Donner was recreation facility manager for the Halifax Recreation Department in Nova Scotia, Canada. Donner will lead 179 full-time employees and more than 1,100 part-time seasonal employees through the summer. In addition, she will oversee the $32.3-million general-funded parks and recreation operating budget. Officially starting April 9, Donner will earn a salary of $140,000 a year.
"Henderson has long been known as a city with outstanding parks and recreational opportunities, and we continue to garner prestigious national awards for our recreational facilities and programs," said Henderson Mayor James B. Gibson. "As such an important component of the quality-of-life opportunities we provide, it’s very important for us to have someone of the highest caliber leading this department and we are excited for what Mary Ellen will bring to that effort."
A graduate of Acadia University in Nova Scotia, Donner holds bachelor’s degrees in education and in physical education and recreation.>
"Mary Ellen’s education coupled with her background makes her an asset to the City," stated Henderson City Manager Phil Speight. "Mary Ellen has a talented team to work with and with 20 years of experience behind her will bring fresh ideas and strong leadership to the department."
Donner spearheaded the accreditation process in Collier County, which led to their agency receiving national accreditation in 2005. The City of Henderson Parks and Recreation Department was the first in the valley to earn national accreditation and is one of only 20 agencies that have earned both national accreditation and been honored by the National Parks and Recreation Association by receiving the National Gold Medal for Excellence in Parks and Leisure Services.
"The national recognition that the city of Henderson has received for its parks and recreation system led to a highly qualified field of candidates to choose from," stated Assistant City Manager Mary Kay Peck. "Mary Ellen stood out among the best of the best."
Donner earned her certification as a park and recreational professional (CPRP) in 1990. Over the past 16 years, she has been an active member and in 1990-92 served as district director for the Florida State Recreation and Park Association. Donner will be the first female to be named as parks and recreation director for the city of Henderson.
"I am excited about the opportunities that lay ahead," said Donner. "Henderson is well known across the nation and I’m proud to be a part of this growing community. I look forward to continuing to provide top-rate programs and facilities and I embrace the challenge."
Donner is a past competitive swimmer, earning awards from the Atlantic University Athletic Association and the Canadian Athletic Union. Her efforts also led to her induction into the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame.
# # #