City Announces Parks and Recreation Department Director Finalists

Community members are invited to a Meet & Greet event featuring the three finalists for the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) Director position on Wednesday, November 13, at 6 p.m. at the Conley Guerrero Senior Center, 808 Nile St, Austin, TX 78702.

Finalists for the position are (please see bios/additional information for each candidate below):

• Jesús Aguirre
• Robert Brent Dennis
• Angela Means

The PARD Director is responsible for overseeing department operations, programs, facilities and staff. The role demands strategic and visionary leadership that supports the long-term goals of both the organization and the wider Austin community.

Each finalist brings extensive skills and experience that align with Austin's strategic goals and will strive to enhance community engagement through the City's parks and recreation system. This event offers stakeholders an opportunity to meet the candidates, submit questions that could be included in a moderated discussion, and provide feedback that will be considered by City Manager T.C. Broadnax as he makes his decision.

The event begins at 6 p.m. and doors will open to the public at 5:30 p.m. Free parking will be provided. American Sign Language and Spanish interpretation services will be available at the event. If you need services in other languages, please request them by calling 3-1-1 or 512-974-2000 by Tuesday, November 12.



Jesús Aguirre has over 25 years of experience in public and non-profit leadership in public education and in the parks and recreation field. He is passionate about creating vibrant and inclusive public spaces that help diverse communities thrive.

Aguirre has served at all levels of the public K-12 education systems, including as a middle school science teacher, a public charter school co-founder and co-director, a school district level administrator, and ultimately as chief state school officer for the District of Columbia.

Aguirre led both agencies to develop new strategic visions and plans to better serve all residents. As part of the team in Washington DC, he led an effort to successfully achieve national accreditation for the department. In Seattle, Aguirre was charged with initial implementation of a new park district to infuse much-needed funding to improve service to community members, in addition to leading several initiatives to increase efficiency, access, equity, and sustainability in the park system.

Aguirre served as the CEO of Waterloo Greenway, a nonprofit organization that operates and maintains a 35-acre urban park system in downtown Austin, Texas. In that role, he led the vision, strategy, and execution of the organization's mission to connect people, nature, and culture, overseeing the fundraising, partnerships, programming, and operations of the park.

Aguirre currently serves as chair of the board for the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) and the chair of the board of the Children and Nature Network (C&NN) and is a member of the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration. Aguirre has an MBA from Arizona State University and a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He is an avid park user and a Certified Parks and Recreation Executive (CPRE).

Robert Brent Dennis is a career Parks and Recreation professional, has held important leadership positions in the public parks and non-profit organization fields in Columbus, Ohio; Grand Rapids, Michigan; San Francisco, Anaheim, and Long Beach, California; and Tucson, Arizona.

Dennis is the current Director of the Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine Department- a four-time winner of the Class One National Gold Medal award for Excellence in Parks and Recreation Management from the National Recreation and Parks Association. Dennis is responsible for the operation and maintenance of over 1,375 acres of parkland and open space, 166 parks with 26 community centers, two historic ranchos, two major tennis and pickleball centers, five golf courses, seven skate parks, an animal care services campus, three aquatic centers, the nation's largest municipally operated marina system and over six miles of beaches.

A registered landscape architect, avid gardener and artist, Dennis' skills and passion for beautiful public spaces and enhanced quality of life in the communities he's served have brought him national recognition in Parks and Recreation leadership, park design, international garden design, and community service awards. Dennis has a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from Ohio State University. He enjoys all sports, civic volunteering, traveling, and environmental causes.

Angela Means is a seasoned executive in public administration and management, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Accounting), and a Master of Public Administration. With over 25 years of local government administration experience, Means has excelled in executive leadership, operational oversight, financial management, and enhancing customer experiences. Her expertise spans cross-departmental collaboration, optimizing business processes, enhancing customer experience, and fostering community engagement.

Means currently serves as the Interim Director of the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department leading the department in its mission to inspire Austin to learn, play, protect, and connect by creating diverse programs and experiences in sustainable natural spaces and public places. Prior to this role, she held executive and leadership positions within various departments of the City of Austin, including Housing, Development Services, Austin Code, and the Austin Parks and Recreation Departments, where she amassed nearly a decade of experience.

Mean's professional journey also includes significant contributions to the City of San Diego, where she held pivotal roles in the Department of Finance and the Office of the Independent Budget Analyst. Throughout her career, Means has been driven by a commitment to excellence, a dedication to public service, and a genuine passion for community development. She eagerly anticipates leveraging her skills and experience to collaborate with staff, stakeholders, and the community, promoting open dialogue and collaboration to drive positive change and sustainable growth, leading to impactful outcomes that benefit the community.

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