There are aspects of life with promise and potential that empower people to grow and to thrive. They provide communities with facilities and services that enhance the quality of life, connecting people both locally and globally. They also serve to preserve and protect our natural, historic and cultural heritage and contribute to a prosperous economy. These are all things that impact the quality of life for our citizens. These are the vested interests of the Leisure Services Department. It is our goal to provide each and every citizen with a wholesome experience in settings that reflect the natural beauty of our surroundings.
Most people don’t often think of parks, recreation and leisure as a critical pursuit that involves more time than working and going to school combined, but actually people spend a lot of time pursuing leisure and recreational activities. The City of Panama City has a lot of natural beauty and to a certain degree it depends more on its natural beauty than its facilities. These are things that my staff and I attempt to enhance each and every day. 
Panama City is my hometown. I am a product of both Rosenwald High School and Bay High School, having graduated from Bay High School in 1969 (Yes, I am a Tornado). Upon enrollment at Bethune Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida I met my best friend and wife of 36 years, Cynthia, during our freshman year (I am also a Wildcat). We both enjoy living in beautiful Panama City, Florida.

I have been involved in parks and recreational services for more than 30 years having started with the City of Daytona Beach as a Community Center Manager, then Recreation Manager. I followed my pursuit to Columbia, South Carolina where I was Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Columbia. In more recent years I returned to the Panama City area and have been employed by the City of Panama City for the past 10 years, 2 of those years as General Services Director and the past 8 years as Leisure Services Director.

This field is powerful because its activities and pursuits are truly everywhere, touching the lives of all human beings and they occur 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks of a year.  The potential of parks, recreation and leisure activities are simultaneously challenging to grasp and vital to the well-being of individuals, communities, societies and the world.  The benefits of this field ensure that we have sufficient clean air and water to sustain life, opportunities to live purposeful and pleasurable lives, memories of happy times with friends and family, and to have options and opportunities for health and well-being throughout our lives.