Fort Collins hires new recreation director

Jacy Marmaduke, Fort Collins Coloradoan
·1 min read
LeAnn Williams will begin her new role as Fort Collins recreation director in February 2022.
LeAnn Williams will begin her new role as Fort Collins recreation director in February 2022.

Fort Collins is getting a new recreation director.

LeAnn Williams will take on the role in February. She's currently the city of Loveland's recreation manager, a position she's held since 2017. Before that, she was recreation supervisor and district manager for Tehachapi Valley Recreation and Park District in California and worked in college basketball coaching.

Williams will oversee 10 facilities, a full-time staff of 41, a part-time staff of 364 and an $11 million budget, according to a city news release.

“I am humbled and honored to be selected for this role after participating in a rigorous process alongside several well-qualified candidates,” Williams said in the release. “I truly believe that recreation is the fabric of our community, and I am excited to bring my expertise and passion for the field of recreation to the city that I call home.”

Williams has a master of science in physical education, exercise and sport science from the University of Central Missouri and a bachelor of arts in communication from Hastings College.

Aaron Harris, who'd served as interim recreation director since November 2020, will return to his former position.

Williams is one of several recent hires for city leadership. Katie Donahue, previously district ranger for the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests' Canyon Lakes Ranger District, started as natural areas director in January. Anissa Hollingshead, former Greeley city clerk, became Fort Collins' city clerk in January.

Meanwhile, the city held a public forum for Fort Collins Utilities director finalists earlier this month, and Fort Collins City Council reviewed city manager applicants with an executive recruiter this week.

Jacy Marmaduke covers government accountability for the Coloradoan. Follow her on Twitter @jacymarmaduke. Support her work and that of other Coloradoan journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Fort Collins hires new recreation director, LeAnn Williams