RecLess Podcast

RecLess 6 Ep 7 - Emmy Richards, CPRP, Parks & Recreation Director Ashland, VA

RecLess 6 Ep 7 - Emmy Richards, CPRP, Parks & Recreation Director Ashland, VA; discusses her role as a co-founder of the Small Agency Network as part of the National Recreation and Parks Association Connect, serving professionals in agencies representing rural towns and agencies of populations of 30,000 or less. They discuss finding support and connection when the entire full time staff could be one staff member wearing all of the hats for their organization. Support for small agencies is growing with a recurring NRPA magazine column, Small Town Stories, online webinars, the Small Agency network, a scheduled Network meeting at NRPA 2026 in Philadelphia, and sessions geared towards smaller agencies at NRPA. Small Agency Network of NRPA - Join the discussion from NRPA Connect - https://connect.nrpa.org/smallagency Hear more about the Trashed Panda :) - https://youtu.be/sKCn-zJ3bBU?si=RYNCO4sEau8t7DBa Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he resides with his wife and children. Tom Venniro is the 12-year Director of Parks and Recreation in Hilton-Parma, New York, where he resides with his wife Melissa, son Jack, and daughters Amelia and Maisie. Jay Tryon is an 19-year park and recreation professional who loves to improve communities and their quality of life. He currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and children.

RecLess 6 Ep 6 - Geordie Emmanuel, CPRP, AFO - Recreation Supervisor, Town of Glastonbury, CT

RecLess 6 Ep 6 - Geordie Emmanuel, CPRP, AFO - Recreation Supervisor, Town of Glastonbury, CT. Recent 2026 Young Professional Externship Program Recipient, Geordie speaks to finding passion in the field, inspiring the next generation of parks and rec professionals, professional sacrifices to serve in the field of parks and rec, the benefits of mentorship, attending NRPA conferences, and stepping into leadership roles. Click here to learn more:American Academy of Parks and Recreation Association Extern Program - https://aapra.org/Programs/Extern-Program NRPA's 30 Under 30 Program - https://www.nrpa.org/our-work/awards/30-under-30/Academy Mentorship Program - https://aapra.org/Programs/Mentorship-Program Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he resides with his wife and children. Tom Venniro is the 12-year Director of Parks and Recreation in Hilton-Parma, New York, where he resides with his wife Melissa, son Jack, and daughters Amelia and Maisie. Jay Tryon is an 19-year park and recreation professional who loves to improve communities and their quality of life. He currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and children.

RecLess 6 Ep 5 - Bryce King, Administrative Services Director, Centerville, UT

RecLess 6 Ep 5, Bryce King, Administrative Services Director, Centerville, UT; speaks to his career in service and the drive that has pushed him to create spaces for others including the Directors Summit - its origin and goal, his involvement with his local Youth Council, persevering through and overcoming difficult job situations, passing his experience on to others, and his passion for community and gathering people together. Click here to learn more: Directors Summit 2027 - https://www.110percent.net/directors-summit Youth Council - https://extension.usu.edu/uyc/ Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he resides with his wife and children. Tom Venniro is the 12-year Director of Parks and Recreation in Hilton-Parma, New York, where he resides with his wife Melissa, son Jack, and daughters Amelia and Maisie. Jay Tryon is an 19-year park and recreation professional who loves to improve communities and their quality of life. He currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and children.

RecLess 6 Ep 4 - Lakita Frazier, CPRP, Director of Parks and Recreation at City of Norfolk, VA

RecLess 6 Ep 4 - Lakita Frazier, CPRP, Director of Parks and Recreation at City of Norfolk, VA speaks to being a mentor, future trends in the field, her role in the Women in Parks network (WiPaR), moving into the world of consulting, navigating politics, and her advice to professionals in the field. Click here to learn more - https://www.womeninparksandrecreation.org/ Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he resides with his wife and children. Tom Venniro is the 12-year Director of Parks and Recreation in Hilton-Parma, New York, where he resides with his wife Melissa, son Jack, and daughters Amelia and Maisie. Jay Tryon is an 19-year park and recreation professional who loves to improve communities and their quality of life. He currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and children.

RecLess 6 Ep 3 - Brian Emelson, CPRE, Director of Parks and Recreation, Victor, NY

RecLess 6 Ep 3 - Brian Emelson, CPRE, Director of Parks and Recreation, Victor, NY speaks to a career in a smaller town, making the most of and creating community where you are, and the lasting impact of parks and recreation on a person, professionally and personally. Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he resides with his wife and children. Tom Venniro is the 12-year Director of Parks and Recreation in Hilton-Parma, New York, where he resides with his wife Melissa, son Jack, and daughters Amelia and Maisie. Jay Tryon is an 19-year park and recreation professional who loves to improve communities and their quality of life. He currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and children.