Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent AP Diaz Elected to the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration

Anthony-Paul (AP) Diaz, Superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation, has been elected as a Fellow into the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration. Superintendent Diaz was recently inducted at the Academy's virtual General Membership Meeting October 9, 2024.

The Academy is an organization of distinguished practitioners and educators who are leaders in the parks and recreation profession. To be elected into the Academy, the individual must have served for at least 15 years in a high level of administration in a park and recreation agency or as a recognized educator in parks and recreation administration or they must manage a park and recreation department for a community with a population of more than 500,000. They also must have demonstrated outstanding leadership in professional organizations through service, writing or speaking and they must have displayed a deep interest in advancing public parks and recreation. The Academy is limited to 137 active members.

Established in 1980, the Academy was formed to advance knowledge related to the administration of recreation and parks; to support and encourage scholarly efforts by both practitioners and educators to enhance the practice of park and recreation administration; to promote broader public understanding of the importance of parks and recreation to the public good; and to conduct research, publish scholarly papers and/or sponsor seminars related to the advancement of park and recreation administration.

"The Class of 2024 is a great addition to the Academy," said President Tracey Crawford, Executive Director, Northwest Special Recreation District, Rolling Meadows, Illinois. "The Academy is honored to induct AP Diaz into its ranks. The Academy represents a diverse group of professionals and educators - all with superior career experience and a dedication to improving the quality of life through the provision of high-quality parks and recreation opportunities. We welcome AP Diaz as a member of the American Academy for Park & Recreation Administration."

More information on the Academy is available at www.aapra.org. A biography of AP Diaz follows.

Anthony-Paul (AP) Diaz is the Superintendent/Director of Seattle Parks and Recreation, managing 500 parks and special facilities with a $1B budget while leading all governance and leadership matters related to the Park's District Commission, City Council, City Attorney and Mayor's Offices.   

AP has over 25 years of professional experience and service. Prior to assuming his duties in Seattle, he served as the Executive Officer of LA City Parks and was a City Attorney in the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office where he handled and litigated hundreds of matters in the Criminal Branch and as a specially assigned prosecutor in the City's Neighborhood Prosecutor Program. Thereafter, he served in the Civil Division's Municipal Law Branch as legal counsel to the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, General Services Department and as lead contract counsel for the Los Angeles Police and Fire Departments. He also served as one of the principal City Attorneys assigned to advise and staff the Los Angeles City Council.   

AP also served as General Counsel for LA Recreation and Parks, helping guide the Department on many high profile and important endeavors, most notably the transformation, restoration and management model for the historic and iconic Greek Theatre and the preparation of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

AP is a member of the National Recreation and Parks Association Board of Directors & an Executive Board Member for World Urban Parks. AP serves as an instructor at the NRPA Director's School and on staff at various leadership academies teaching Adult Development Theory, Diversity & Cultural Awareness, Communication & Marketing and Transformational Leadership.  He is also an Adjunct Professor at Seattle University Law School.  

AP is Judge Pro Tem for the Los Angeles Superior Court and is a member of the California State Bar.  

AP is a member of the Seattle Sports Commission and an Ex Officio board member on the Seattle Zoo, Aquarium, Seattle Art Museum & the Washington Arboretum boards.    

AP was born in Hollywood and raised in Santa Monica, CA. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in International Politics from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, Washington DC and a Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles and Spanish language proficiency designation from the Universidad de Sevilla in Spain. 

[Link]

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.