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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Mayor Names B.J. Brooks as Interim Parks Superintendent
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
2/2/2007 9:30:00 AM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alex Fryer (206) 684-8358
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Mayor Names B.J. Brooks as Interim Parks Superintendent
SEATTLE - Mayor Greg Nickels today announced the appointment of Betty Jean “B.J.” Brooks,
current Seattle Parks and Recreation deputy superintendent, as the interim
superintendent, effective March 1.
Ken Bounds, who has been superintendent since 1996, retires on Feb. 28.
Brooks, who became deputy superintendent in November 2003, brings to the job
extensive experience in parks and recreation management and urban planning.
From 2001 to 2003, she served as the mayor’s director of focus neighborhoods
for the city and county of Denver where she managed community and economic
development activities in Denver’s inner-city neighborhoods.
“I am honored to serve as interim superintendent of the finest parks
and recreation system in the country,” Brooks said, “and to be
part of Mayor Nickels’ administration.”
From 1995 to 2001, Brooks headed Denver Parks and Recreation, which includes
29 community centers, 300 parks, seven golf courses, the Buffalo Bill Museum,
the Denver Botanic Gardens, the Denver Zoo, Mile High Stadium, and Winter Park
Recreational Ski Association. She managed a staff of 1,700 permanent and part-time
employees and a $107 million budget, and served as liaison with the City Council,
mayor’s office, cabinet-level agencies, and nonprofit partners. From
1991 to 1995, Brooks headed the divisions of parks operations and recreation
as deputy director of Denver Parks and Recreation.
Brooks holds a Master of Arts degree in urban and regional planning from the
University of Colorado, and is active in national organizations that include
the American Planning Association and the National Recreation and Parks Association.
Honors include membership in the National Who’s Who in Professional
Management and in Women of Distinction in Seattle, and participation in the
Seattle’s Leadership Tomorrow program. Brooks is also active in the Latino
City Employees’ group, and a member of Blacks in Government.
Visit the mayor’s web site at www.seattle.gov/mayor. Get the mayor’s
inside view on efforts to promote transportation, public safety, economic opportunity
and healthy communities by signing up for The Nickels Newsletter at www.seattle.gov/mayor/newsletter_signup.htm.
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Office of the Mayor
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