Each year, NRPA visits a great American city to set up shop for the biggest park and recreation industry event of the year. It takes all hands here at headquarters, plus the efforts of dedicated local host committees, to pull off the event. For the 2014 NRPA Congress, we had the pleasure of working with several folks from Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, whose work was indispensable in ensuring the best conference to date. From coordinating the many off-site institutes offered this year to organizing the exciting golf tournament and Fun Run, the 2014 Local Host Committee went all-out to provide visitors with many options for entertainment and education while at NRPA Congress. 

Below, find the names and titles of the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation staffers who dedicated their time and expertise to this year’s event. We couldn’t have pulled it off without these passionate park and recreation professionals, so if you see them at NRPA Congress, be sure to shake their hands!

Michael Kirschman

Local Host Committee Co-Chair

Deputy Director

Lola Massad

Local Host Committee Co-Chair and Program Committee Representative

Division Director, Community and Recreation Center Services

James Alsop

LHI Events Chair/Golf 

Tournament Team Captain

Division Director, Enterprise Services

Jeff Robinson

LHI Events Co-Chair

Division Director, Park Operations

Tim Turton

Leisure Park Team Captain

Horticulture Maintenance and Operations Supervisor

James Rainey

Off-Site Institute Team Captain/Transportation Coordinator

Fiscal Analyst, Park Operations

Preston Buckman

Fun Run Team Captain

Athletic Coordinator/Supervisor

Karla Gray

Local Host Accessibility 

Team Committee

Therapeutic Recreation Senior Manager 

Lori Saylor

Local Host Volunteer Committee Chair, Local Host Hospitality and Info Booth Committee, Local Host Volunteer Management Chair

Volunteer Coordinator/Supervisor