3 finalists named for parks director job

By Eric Maddy
The SCORE

The director of parks and recreation for the City of Albuquerque is one of three finalists for the same position in Rio Rancho.

Jay Hart, who has worked in the Duke City’s parks department for more than 30 years, and two other finalists were among eight candidates interviewed by city manager James Jimenez. The other finalists are acting director Connie Peterson and Kristi Diaz-Trahan, who has been a recreation specialist in Mirana, Ariz., since March 2005 after leaving her position as deputy director of senior services in Rio Rancho.

Hart has been director in Albuquerque since October 2004 and had been the Open Space Division Manager for the city from January 1997 until being promoted to the top job. Prior to that he served as assistant division manager (appointed in May 1984) and supervisor (appointed in December 1978), according to his application filed with the city.

Hart holds a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State and master’s degree from Central State (Oklahoma).

As director in Albuquerque, Hart oversees a $30 million operating budget and $35 capital improvements program. Albuquerque has 296 full-time employees and 500 temporary employees in its parks and recreation department, which operates four golf courses, 14 pools, 17 softball fields, 245 parks, 11 dog parks, five skate parks, 145 football/soccer fields, 140 play stations, 130 miles of landscaped medians, 120 miles of off-street recreational trails and three disc golf courses.

Among his references are Dr. Bruce Perlman, who succeeded Jimenez as chief of staff to Gov. Bill Richardson, state treasurer James Lewis and state Rep. Rick Miera.

Peterson has served as acting director since February since Lisa Vornholt became public works director. She served as a division manager (hired in Dec. 2005) and recreation leader (March 2005) after working five years as a general manager for New Mexico Sports and Wellness.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in parks, recreation and natural resources from Arizona State and master’s in parks and recreation from UNM.

Diaz-Trahan started working for the City of Rio Rancho as a recreation/special events leader in June 1996. She then served as an administrative coordinator for the city’s Library/Information Services department until taking the job in the Senior Services Department in January 2000.

She has a bachelor’s degree from New Mexico Highlands University and several administrative certifications.

In his report to the city council two weeks ago, Jimenez said he would conduct a second round of interviews with the finalists before making a final recommendation to the Governing Body. That nomination is not included does on Wednesday’s agenda for the Governing Body and would likely be considered on Nov. 12.