B.J. Brooks

Mayor Greg Nickels today announced the appointment of Betty Jean "B.J." Brooks, current Seattle Parks and Recreation deputy superintendent, as the interim superintendent. This change will become effective after my retirement on Feb. 28.

B.J., 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," B.J. said, "and to be part of Mayor Nickels' administration."

From 1995 to 2001, B.J. 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, B.J. headed the divisions of parks operations and recreation as deputy director of Denver Parks and Recreation.

B.J. 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.

Her 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. B.J. is also active in the Latino City Employees' group, and a member of Blacks in Government.

I have every confidence that B.J. will do a great job!

I'll be in touch soon.