New Parks and Recreation Director Named

By Public Communications Department

February 22, 2012

CHESAPEAKE- Chesapeake City Manager William E. Harrell announced today that Michael D. Barber has been hired as the City's Parks and Recreation Director. Barber will begin on April 2, 2012, at an annual salary of $111,000.

Barber comes to Chesapeake from the City of Newport News, where he held the position of Assistant Director of Parks, Recreation and Tourism since 2004. He was responsible for the overall management and administration of a $23 million budget which included parks, recreation, tourism, historical services, public landscapes, aquatics, golf, cultural arts, facilities and animal services. The department consists of more than 220 full-time and 500 part-time employees as well as more than 250 contractual employees annually. He has more than 30 years of municipal service.

Barber has a proven ability to integrate a tourism component into the parks and recreation structure. During his time in Newport News, he was the first chairman of the local organizing committee for the AAU Junior Olympic Games held in Hampton Roads in 1998 and continued in that role after the regional Hampton Roads Sports Commission was formed with a full time staff. These games brought more than 12,000 young athletes and their families to the region, creating a local economic impact of more than $30 million.

"Mr. Barber brings immense experience and continuity, having begun as a seasonal playground supervisor and rising to the assistant director position for the City of Newport News," said City Manager Harrell. "He's a seasoned professional who has the leadership abilities to work with a diverse mix of City facilities and parks in concert with the community, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and other stakeholders including the business community."

"This was a very competitive hiring process. A total of 94 candidates were reviewed for this position," continued Harrell. "Mr. Barber stood out not only because of his vast parks and recreation experience, but his successes in the youth sports and tourism arena."

"I am so excited and thankful for the opportunity that has been presented by the City of Chesapeake," Barber said. "I have long admired a number of the City's park and recreational facilities and programs and look forward to many years of growing and working together with its citizens and staff.  This City has so much going for it and it is my desire to help build on this foundation to continue to improve the quality of life for all the citizens of Chesapeake."

Barber holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Virginia Tech, and a Masters of Science degree in Physical Education/Recreation - Leisure Service Administration from Old Dominion University.

Barber is a member of the National Recreation and Parks Association and is a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional.

He will work under the strategic coordination of Deputy City Manager Wanda Barnard-Bailey, Ph.D., and oversee a department with 222 full-time, part-time, and seasonal staff members. The City has 70 parks, ranging from small neighborhood parks to the 763 acre Northwest River Park. The department also operates the City's eight Community Centers, along with leisure, therapeutic and athletic programs for residents of all ages and needs.

Additional information on the Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Department is available at CityOfChesapeake.net/Parks.