Virtual Education: Recruiting and Growing the New Gen Maintenance Professional
January 20, 2027 | 1:00 - 2:30 PM ET | 0.1 CEUs
Recruiting and Growing the New Gen Maintenance Professional
Thomas White, Deputy Administrator, Henry Co Parks and Recreation
Bryan Dixon, Deputy Administrator, Henry Co Parks and Recreation
Capturing the attention of today’s tech-savvy, socially conscious youth requires reimagining not just the services we provide but also how we present, recruit, and inspire. Thoughtful maintenance, intentional recruitment, and personal development can transform not only the spaces we manage but also the people who make it all happen.
Competencies: Communications, Interpersonal, Relationship Building
Scope(s) of Responsibility: Developmental, Single Focus/Multi Function Management, Area/Division Leadership
- Learn how to overcome the maintenance stereotype.
- Learn how to appeal to a generation that increasingly relies on devices for stimulus and guidance.
- Learn how to engage new professionals in ways that create a lasting passion for service and parks.
Sponsored by:
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About Bryan: Bryan Dixon has dedicated more than 19 years to Henry County Parks & Recreation, rising from his first role cleaning restrooms and running a weed eater to his current position as Deputy Administrator. Over the years, he has held multiple leadership roles, including Golf Course Superintendent, where he developed advanced expertise in turf science, irrigation, and environmental management. He is a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP), Certified Pool Operator (CPO), and Certified Sports Field Manager (CSFM). Bryan also helps lead the “Watering Can” mentorship program, where he has shaped its focus on developing technical skills for the next generation of parks professionals. |
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About Thomas: Thomas White has nineteen years of experience in state and local government. He is currently Deputy Administrator of Recreation Services for Henry County Parks and Recreation, where he oversees 120 team members, four recreation centers, a tennis center, and a classroom facility. He is also a member of the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association Board of Trustees and serves as GRPA District 6 Commissioner. He has appeared on multiple podcasts, regularly speaks at conferences and workshops, and writes for the GRPA and NRPA magazines. Thomas has Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Troy University, where he graduated magna cum laude, and a Master of Public Administration from Georgia College and State University, where he won the Malcolm Moore Award for exceptional academic research. |
Sessions are $25 for Members and Silver and Gold Agency Members. $35 for non members.
All FRPA Virtual Education Sessions are live and encourage you to stay engaged so that discussion can take place during and after the presentation. Each session has been scheduled for the time of the presentation but please keep in mind that we will have around seven to ten minutes of introductory announcements and possibly words from our sponsor during the session. These may cause the session to run over the allotted time by 10-15 minutes.
Please make sure your first and last name appear as your profile name so that the moderator will know to let you into the meeting. If are not able to make this change, it is your responsibility to inform FRPA what device name you will be signing in under.
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