City of Denton

Experiences that Shaped my Leadership Approach

My approach is a synthesis of principles and ideals that emerged from my experience in landscape architecture and in public administration, which have taught me that physical spaces and the experiences that people have within them are only as successful as the policies supporting them.

Early in my career in municipal government, I quickly learned about the criticality of public engagement and the consensus required to bring projects to life successfully. People are sensitive to changes in their communities. They cherish their public spaces, and any alterations to those spaces need to be brought out into the open for public discussion. Otherwise, city staff members will likely face significant resistance much later in the process after significant resources have already been spent.

My leadership approach has evolved through the realization that the most enduring civic spaces are not just developed in isolation; they are achieved through inclusion, collaboration and empowerment. My experience has taught me that the best outcomes arise when I act as a bridge, translating technical landscape requirements into accessible community benefits. This “bridge-building” is what grounds my leadership.

I prioritize inclusive engagement because, ultimately, we aren’t just managing land. We are entrusted to steward the public’s quality of life.

Balancing Long-Term Community Planning with Day-to-Day Operational Demands

This is one of the areas that requires viewing the two as an integrated system rather than competing priorities. If one only focuses on the day-to-day, immediate, operational “fires”, it’s easy to lose sight of the strategic vision. Conversely, if one looks solely at long-term plans, it’s easy to lose touch with the community’s current experience and immediate needs.

I utilize a combination of data and intuition to anchor both. Operational demands reflect the needs of the greater system, and by analyzing maintenance trends or usage patterns, one can identify where a long-term capital improvement or policy change would meaningfully reduce day-to-day strain. I also lean heavily on empowering my teams. By decentralizing authority and ensuring that those closest to the operations have the information and the discretion to make decisions, I am freed to focus on the long-term strategic initiatives that ensure our civic spaces remain resilient, accessible and vibrant.

Strategies that have Helped Build Strong Partnerships

My strategy is built on trust and shared ownership. The power of the collective is greater than that of the individual. In my experience, stakeholders will support what they help create, and including stakeholders in the process reinforces their ownership and further strengthens the partnership. I prioritize early, inclusive engagement. Rather than presenting a fully baked plan, I include partners from the beginning to incorporate their needs and objectives. When one actively seeks to understand another’s operational constraints, the dynamic shifts from negotiation to collective problem-solving.

You are in public service to be a steward. If you maintain an unwavering focus on equity, accessibility and service excellence, your career will naturally align with the community impact you are aiming to create.

I’ve also found that fostering a culture of continuous improvement is powerful. When stakeholders are supported and see that we are not attached to “the way we’ve always done it,” but are instead focused on achieving the best outcome, trust naturally follows. Collaboration isn’t just about professional courtesy. It’s about aligning goals toward a single, impactful vision.

Biggest Challenges and Opportunities for Parks and Recreation Leaders

The primary challenge in parks and recreation is managing the pressure of population growth and the demand for updated facilities, while navigating the financial constraints of sustaining aging infrastructure and ongoing operational demands. This challenge isn’t unique to parks and recreation but is also felt by all municipal government services. As our communities grow, our civic spaces are being asked to do more with less, such as accommodating more users, providing more diverse services and addressing complex issues like climate resilience and social equity, all while facing budget and space constraints. By incorporating versatility for a variety of uses within these civic spaces, public managers may be able to meet the growing demands of these spaces with practical solutions that can be sustainable for future generations.

The opportunity is redefining the role of our civic spaces for our communities. We are moving away from seeing these spaces as mere amenities that are “nice-to-haves” and toward recognizing them as essential civic infrastructure and critical drivers of economic development. This paradigm shift was made more apparent during the pandemic when parks became areas of refuge for maintaining our physical and mental wellness. Civic spaces are our frontline defense against social isolation, health disparities and urban heat. For city leaders, the opportunity is to thoughtfully integrate civic spaces into all conversations related to development. If we position our civic spaces as active solutions to broader municipal challenges such as public health and sustainable development, we unlock new opportunities for funding, partnerships and community relevance that weren’t previously considered when these spaces were viewed strictly as “recreational.”

To the Upcoming Leaders

The best advice I can offer is to prioritize the cultivation of selfawareness as much as or more than the investment in technical expertise. Early in your career, your impact is measured by your technical contributions, but as you grow into leadership, your impact is measured by your ability to strategize and implement the right vision for your community. As a leader, you will be measured by your ability to empower others, maintain objectivity and keep the team focused and driven towards fulfilling the organization’s vision. Developing skills that help you gain capacity in those areas will not only pay dividends in your professional career but also in your personal life.

I would also tell them to develop and embrace their own leadership signature or brand. Being authentically yourself will implicitly communicate your core values and who you are as a leader. Adherence to the traditional command-and-control management style of the past is no longer an effective method of leading. Rather, a networked approach of collaboration and collective problem-solving results in a more effective style for tackling complex issues. Authenticity, no matter your personality archetype, is your greatest asset. You are in public service to be a steward. If you maintain an unwavering focus on equity, accessibility and service excellence, your career will naturally align with the community impact you are aiming to create.