Ventura City Manager Mark Watkins has selected Nancy O’Connor as the new Director of Parks, Recreation, and Community Partnerships (PRCP). Ms. O’Connor has been the City of Ventura’s Parks Manager since 2011 and in July of this year, she began serving as the City’s interim director for the PRCP department. Her new role as the permanent director began on December 3, 2016.
Ms. O’Connor has more than 20 years of experience in parks and recreation management. As the director of the PRCP department she will be responsible for arts and cultural services, special events, parks and urban forestry, youth services, recreation, adult and senior programs, library services, history and nature programs, and volunteer opportunities.
“Nancy has a strong background and we are very excited about having someone of her ability join our leadership team,” said City Manager Mark Watkins. “She is innovative, works collaboratively and is passionate about parks and recreation–she is a great fit for our community.”
Prior to her employment with the City of Ventura, Ms. O’Connor served as the Manager of Park Services in North Las Vegas, Nevada. She oversaw a $5M annual budget and her duties included implementation of long-range capital improvement projects, and maintenance/landscaping of more than 700 acres of park land.
Ms. O’Connor also served as the Superintendent of Cultural and Leisure Services for 11 years in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where she administered diverse programs including beaches, parks, landscaping, golf courses and sports tourism events.
She holds a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Health from St. Cloud State University, Minnesota. She is a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional by the National Recreation and Parks Association.
