Hayley Herzing is currently the Senior Manager of Membership for the National Recreation and Park Association. She has worked for NRPA for eight years and previously worked at the National Community Pharmacists Association. Hayley received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications/Journalism from Shippensburg University. She enjoys spending time with her husband, children and dog.

Juan Carlos Acevedo is a park and recreation professional in the Chicagoland area with 18 years of experience creating, developing, and marketing leisure programs, activities, and events to diverse communities.

He has become well-versed in marketing and communications, including market research, branding, content creation, social and digital media management, print and promotions, and public messaging. Juan currently works at the Wheeling Park District and at the University of Illinois as an instructor and research coordinator.

Brian "BK" Koehler has been the director of The Maintenance Institute since early 2020.  BK holds degrees in Business Administration (BS), Parks and Recreation Administration (BS), and Experiential Education (MS). He is an experienced facilitator and event professional with an extensive background in team building, ropes course/climbing tower construction, and outdoor adventure leadership.

Before joining The Maintenance Institute, BK was based in Hong Kong for nearly a decade as an experiential educator, event producer, and entrepreneur.  Upon his stateside return, BK stepped into operations and facility management of the Student Union and Recreation Center at Central Washington University.

BK is a native Pennsylvanian, but claims "global citizenship." He is motivated by a thirst for experience, and driven by a desire to engage leaders that impact society.  He believes in the power of positive energy, an innovative mindset, and servant leadership. In his free time, BK enjoys gardening and playing disc golf.

Tim Pritchard is the Sustainability Manager for Five Rivers MetroParks in Montgomery County, Ohio. He works to lead implementation of the agency's Sustainability Plan and Climate Change Mitigation Strategy as well as overseeing waste management policy and protocol, facility efficiency improvements, agency-wide composting efforts, and utility and GHG tracking and reporting. Tim studied Environmental Biology at Ohio University, trained as an Interpretive Naturalist with Arc of Appalachia Nature Preserve System, and grew up in the service industry. He is the vice chair of the City of Dayton Environmental Advisory Board, a board member for the Greater Dayton Conservation Fund, sits on the board of directors for Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council, and represents citizen interests on the Montgomery County Environmental Services Solid Waste Management Planning Committee and Financial Advisory Committee. Tim is an avid gardener, enjoys hiking and biking, and is a community advocate for home-scale ecological restoration.

Jacia T. Smith, Esq. is the Chief of Staff of Baltimore City’s Recreation and Parks, where she serves as a trusted advisor to the Director and oversees the daily activities of a large government agency. Jacia’s day-to-day duties involves providing oversight and guidance to the agency’s senior leadership team, as well as developing and implementing long-range strategies, and ensuring the operational execution that best serves the Agency's goals and City's overall needs. Jacia has served the City in other roles as the Deputy Director of HR Operations for Baltimore City’s Department of Human Resources (“DHR”) and as the Chief Policy Advisor. 

Prior to joining the City of Baltimore, Jacia was the Assistant General Counsel at Montgomery College, where she provided counsel on a wide range of legal issues facing the college, including employment law, labor relations, and liability and insurance matters.  Jacia also worked as a practicing attorney at a large regional law firm in the environmental and labor litigation practice groups.  

An energetic and transformational leader, Jacia has leveraged 15+ years of working in various legal and Human Resources (“HR”) roles, to pursue a career of service, where she is committed to the issues of diversity, inclusive leadership, and conflict management.  

Jacia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Hampton University; a Juris Doctor from the University of Buffalo Law School; designations as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (“SPHR”) and Senior Certified Professional (“SHRM-SCP”); and is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. 

Kendra A. Moore has spent her life using her personal and career experiences to provide resources to communities.  Moore received both her Bachelors and Masters of Social Work from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University. She has over 10 years of experience in youth programs, strategic planning and teen development. 

Moore’s professional experience includes serving in Virginia, Georgia and Florida.  She is currently working in Baltimore, MD as a Chief of Programming for Baltimore City Recreation and Parks. Ms. Moore has a passion for community and the people who live there. Her desire is to always educate and train young people on how to excel with their greatest potential, through giving them exposure to new and enriching experiences. 

She is a servant leader who is passionate about heart work (serving from the heart). In her spare time, she enjoys the beach, puzzles, traveling, baking, planning & decorating for events. 

Taylor Jeromos serves on NRPA's Professional Development team as the Manager of Learning Production. Her career has focused on creating accessible programming, centering diverse narratives, and facilitating informal learning opportunities for people of all ages. She’s been a part of the education teams at a number of cultural organizations, including Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, and the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis.  

Taylor earned a Master’s in Museum Studies and Public History at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and holds a Bachelor’s in Medieval and Gender History from Earlham College.

Dr. Tiffany Johnson is a Parks and Recreation Executive for the City of Tukwila Parks and Recreation, a Qualitative Researcher and the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Rocket Solutions Consulting, LLC.  She is a CPRP who has also attained a Master of Public Administration (MPA) in Public Management, a Bachelor of Science Degree (BS) in Parks and Recreation Management, a Minor in Business Management, and a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership.  Tiffany is the Past-President of the National Recreation and Park Ethnic Minority Society (NRPEMS) and has more than 19 years of full-time professional work experience in the field of Parks and Recreation Leadership. She is the two-time recipient of the NRPA Mid-Atlantic Network Young Professional award (2007 and 2011), along with the American Academy for Parks and Recreation Administration’s Ernest T. Atwell Professional Diversity Extern recipient in 2010, the 2011 New Professional Award Recipient, the 2016 Robert W. Crawford Young Professional recipient, sits on the NRPA Program Committee and is a Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies Commissioner. Her dissertation was “Increasing Implicit Gender Bias Awareness Among Leaders in City Government: A Case Study of the City of Seattle”, which was published by the Library of Congress is 2020. Dr. J is a catalyst for change and a pioneer in Change Management, Professional Development, Strategic Planning, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. 

Latham Zearfoss is a Cultural Liaison for the Chicago Park District. Additionally, they sustain an artistic practice, and contribute to collective motions toward joy and reflection through mutual aid and other creative and collaborative social projects. They have exhibited and presented their work internationally and all over the U.S. 

John N. McGovern leads the Accessibility Practice at The W-T Group, LLC (WTG).  WTG is an MBE that is the NRPA preferred provider of accessibility consulting to NRPA members.  He began his parks and recreation career in Albuquerque, starting as a center director and eventually starting the Therapeutic Recreation Program.  He then moved to Illinois to helm two of the local government partnerships that provide services for people with disabilities.  Always interested in civil rights, he went to law school at night while working in parks and recreation and is one of the foremost authorities on the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  His ADA work is sharpened by his career parks and recreation experience, his own disability, and his service on behalf of NRPA on the three federal advisory committees that developed the parks content of the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design.   

Kande Jones is currently the Director of Development for the Mulvane Recreation Commission in Mulvane, KS. She has been with the Mulvane Rec for 5 years, having worked previously as the Youth Program Director for 4 years.  Currently, as Director of Development, she works with the Mulvane Recreation Foundation and the Community Alliance for Mulvane Families to foster lasting relationships with community members and organizations.  Kande believes that this is an amazing time to be involved with Parks and Recreation with increased access to funding and greater awareness of the importance of outdoor spaces, conservation and restoration, and community programming. She holds a National Center Director Credential from McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership and CPRE through NRPA. She also holds a B.S. in Biology, from Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX, and an  M.S. in Biology from the University of Colorado- Colorado Springs, CO. She identifies as Aspie and ADHD. 

Tammy Schwab is currently the Manager of Education and Outreach for the Resource Management Division, Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA), in Fairfax, VA. She is a eighteen-year veteran with Fairfax County Parks having worked as a Naturalist/Historian Senior Interpreter for Sully Woodlands at Cub Run RECenter, where she originated and developed the first nature program at a county recreation center.  Currently, as Program Branch Manager, she coordinates the work of frontline interpreters and their nature and history programs at three lake front parks, five nature centers, two historic sites, an Observatory, a working farm and a public garden.  She is a National Association for Interpretation Certified Interpretive Guide Trainer. She also holds a B.S. in Biology, from Shippensburg University, PA, and an  M.S.  in Zoology from, Miami University, Oxford, OH. She Identifies as Dyslexic and ADHD. 

Danielle Lucas serves on NRPA's Professional Development team as the Hybrid Learning Coordinator. Her career has focused on creating, implementing, and sustaining positive experiences that participants can take to share with someone else. She’s been a part of the education and recreation teams at a number of organizations, including but not limited to Kentucky State Parks, Wilson's Nurseries Butterfly Greenhouse, Georgetown-Scott County Parks and Recreation, and the University of Kentucky. 

Danielle earned a Bachelor’s in Recreation and Park Administration, triple concentrating in Natural Resource Recreation Management, Tourism/Resort Recreation Management, and Event Planning Recreation Management from Eastern Kentucky University.

Taylor Jeromos serves on NRPA's Professional Development team as the Manager of Learning Production. Her career has focused on creating accessible programming, centering diverse narratives, and facilitating informal learning opportunities for people of all ages. She’s been a part of the education teams at a number of cultural organizations, including Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, and the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis.  

Taylor earned a Master’s in Museum Studies and Public History at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and holds a Bachelor’s in Medieval and Gender History from Earlham College.

Marcus Coates serves as the Interim Deputy Director of Recreation Services. He’s a seasoned public sector veteran with over 10+ years of leadership, personnel management, resource management, administrative operations, and community development experience.

He began his career in the private sector, where he worked in the communications department for the Washington Teachers Union. Since 2012, he has served in several roles at DPR, including Recreation Specialist - implementing programs, activities, and events for community-based facilities; Site Manager – responsible for the formulation of facility program offerings and ensuring operational efficiency across multiple facilities; Chief of Community Recreation Division - supervised the work of team members across nearly 70 facilities while providing expert direction and guidance to ensure information systems are developed, deployed, implemented, and supported in a manner consistent with the Districts’ policies; and Chief of Community Programs Division where he was responsible for developing and improving the quality of the organization’s various program areas while ensuring programs meet regulatory and legal requirements, and internal policies are enforced.

Born and raised in Washington DC, and a DC Public School graduate, Marcus has a profound love for the city’s rich culture and a passion to support its residents. As a current Ward 8 resident, in his spare time, you can find Marcus utilizing the park systems with his family, enjoying the nightlife, and spending time mentoring youth.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Winston Salem State University and a Master of Science degree in Public Administration from the University of the District of Columbia. In June of 2023, he will have completed the Executive Leadership Program through the DC governments Center of Learning and Development.

Safiyyah Aleem-Woods is the City Wide Youth Development Program Coordinator of the Supreme Teens Program with the DC Department of Parks and Recreations.  Safiyyah has thrived in the Youth Development Division for the past 4 years and has been employed with DPR for the past 10 years.  She is the Recipient of the 2021 Life Changers Award.  Safiyyah's outreach work began as the Lead Trainer under the direction of the honorable Mayor Barry in the Marion Barry Youth Leadership Institute.  During her tenure as a Trainer, Safiyyah found her purpose and passion for youth programming.  Safiyyah continues to pour back into the community to change the narrative of the next generation by creating a reach to community resources for the youth.

  Safiyyah's leadership in the Youth Development Division has been awarded back-to-back for Program of the Year.  Safiyyah believes in advancing youth development through curriculum writing and program implementation. She is passionate about giving youth experiences and exposure through leisure, social and recreational activities.  Some of her most notable accomplishments is recruiting and retaining youth at a growing rate of 400% from 2021 to 2023. 

Danielle Hunter is the Chief of the Roving Leaders and Mobile Recreation Division with DC Department of Parks and Recreation. Chief Hunter is a native Washingtonian with 23 years of Parks and Recreation experience. She started her Parks and Recreation career as a summer employee with our sports office. At the tender age of 19, Chief Hunter was introduced to the Roving Leader Program, it was then she knew that public service, violence prevention and youth development would be her ultimate career path. During her tenure with DPR, Ms. Hunter has risen through the ranks of the Roving Leader Program, eventually earning the chance to oversee the overhaul and transformation of the program during the pandemic.

Ms. Hunter credits her long-lasting professional development to the residents of the District of Columbia. She is most proud of the development and expansion of Mobile Recreation division that went from a seasonal program to a year-round, multi-vehicular offering. Danielle attended Tennessee State University and Howard University where she received her degree in Public Health Administration.

Anthony Snead Jr. is a fun loving, energetic, ReCREATOR! He started his career in childcare in 2011 at The Campagna Center in Alexandria, VA. Born and raised in Alexandria, he felt this was a way to give back to the city that gave so much to him. At The Campagna Center, he gained a wealth of knowledge that allowed him to begin a successful care in the childcare field. The foundation from The Campagna Center catapulted him to further his career. 

In 2015, He moved on to The Washington International Primary School where he served as a Senior Counselor, Manager of the Extended Day Care (during the summer), Substitute Teacher, and Enhancement Instructor. This opportunity allowed him to expand his knowledge of curriculum, planning, and managing. 

The call to recreation was so loud in 2018 he had no choice but to answer the recreation call. He discovered that his family had roots in recreation. His recreation career started with him being a Customer Service Representative. DC Department of Parks and Recreation has held a special place in his heart ever since. Now he serves as a Recreation Specialist upholding the community through programming and engagement. He understands the importance of being approachable and being able to listen to his constituents. He holds strong to the mantra that DC DPR is where the fun STILL happens!

Otis Grandson is a leadership expert who delivers high-energy coaching that challenges colleagues to leverage their focus on the best practices, professionally and personally. Otis loves to empower his colleagues and constituents to unleash their creativity and untapped potential.

With over 15 years of experience being a public servant, he continues to mentor with passion. Otis has served as the Regional Manager, in the Community Recreation Division, for the past four years. He is an avid supporter for community activations and special events. During the height of the pandemic, Otis partnered with an organization and donated funding to provide gifts for 550 families for Christmas. He has facilitated trainings for over 100 recreation specialists in the agency.

Tania Butler is a Program Support Specialist for the DC Department of Parks and Recreation. In this role Tania coordinates City Wide Events, helps lead innovative recreational programs and events to help prevent gun violence in the District of Columbia. With over six years of experience with DPR, she has leveraged her wealth of knowledge to connect with local agencies, organizations, internal and external partners to support her efforts in combatting violence. She also contributes her skills and talents to the Kids, Camps, and Co-Op Division to help bring quality programs to the youth in the city. This includes but is not limited to Summer Camps, Break Camps, Cooperative Play, Community Recreation, and Out of School Time programming. Tania has also been recognized for of all her hard work and dedication by receiving the 2022 DPR Director's Award. Her greatest accomplishment is raising her three lovely children. They constantly motivate her to be a positive impact and maintain a strong passion for giving back to the youth in all eight wards of the city; she will proudly continue to serve the residents of the District of Columbia with gratitude.

Robert “Cody” Nakamura, CPRP, is an Operations Liaison for the District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR).  Cody grew up in Washington, DC attending public schools and utilizing the public recreation and aquatic centers.  At age 15, Cody joined DPR as a seasonal lifeguard.  His seasonal employment continued through 2019 serving as a lifeguard, instructor, and pool manager.  During that period Cody attended the Ohio State University where he received a Bachelor of Sciences in Financial Mathematics.

 In 2019 Cody joined DPR in a Career Service position as a Recreation Specialist.  Since then, he has become a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP), served as a Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) review team member, presented an online learning session with the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA), and is scheduled to present at the 2023 NRPA Annual Conference.

 For over a decade Cody has been committed to serving the residents of the District of Columbia and continues to represent DPR in collaboration with other agencies on innovative ways to engage and better serve their communities.

Cina Makres (she/her) is a Program Specialist with the National Recreation and Park Association. Currently, Cina supports a health equity community of practice and provides technical assistance within the organization’s healthy aging portfolio. Additionally, Cina manages NRPA's Family Health & Fitness Day campaign efforts. Prior to joining NRPA in October 2021, Cina completed her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University of Maryland. Cina has previous experience in maternal health, global health, and physical activity and nutrition. 

Kaitlin Graff, MSW, MPH is a Health Scientist in the Physical Activity and Health Branch in the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She works on building the Active People, Healthy Nation℠ movement to create equitable and inclusive activity-friendly communities and help 27 million people to be more physically active by 2027. Kaitlin also serves as the co-lead of the Communication and Member Support Committee in CDC’s Built Environment Workgroup which brings together CDC scientists to discuss their respective work on the intersection of the built environment and public health. Kaitlin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Kenyon College and a Master of Social Work and Master of Public Health from Washington University in St. Louis. Currently living in Denver, Colorado, Kaitlin enjoys hiking, climbing, and trying out new activities like improv. 

Brandon Grasmick is a 4-year Parks & Recreation professional. As the Special Events Coordinator for the Town of Erie, CO, he oversees 15 special events, sponsorships/advertising/vending, and their external event permit process. He stays committed to building public pride, bringing innovation to special event processes, and connecting families to fun. 

Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. Go Bengals! Ryan has been with the City of Georgetown from 2.5 years, where he started as the Athletic and Fitness Supervisor, and is now currently the Operations and Fitness Supervisor. Prior to working for the City, Ryan worked in Collegiate Recreation. He is a Certified Personal Trainer, and loves creating an inclusive environment for community members that assist in their overall health and wellbeing. Ryan’s hobbies include hiking with his dog, paddle boarding, and trying new foods!