Assistant Parks and Rec director nominated for top job

City Manager Isaiah Hugley has selected Holli Browder, current assistant director with the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department, to fill the director position within the department.

The previous director, James Worsley, left to take a job in Chesterfield, Va., in mid-July after serving as the department director for approximately five years. Hugley will go before Columbus Council for approval of his appointment on Aug. 23, the next scheduled business meeting of the council.

Browder began working as a recreation specialist in the Parks and Recreation Department in April 2002. In May 2011, Browder took the position as the department’s recreation services division manager where she oversaw the daily operation of the areas of recreation, seniors, therapeutics and cultural arts. She was promoted to assistant director in July 2013.

During her time working with Worsley, Browder was instrumental in helping the department to gain the status as a nationally accredited department. Additionally, Browder helped the department to garner the title of Georgia’s Recreation and Parks Association Agency of the Year in 2013 and 2015 as well as the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association District 3 Agency of the Year in 2014.

Browder was also recognized as the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association Programmer’s Section Distinguished Professional of the Year in 2013 and was the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association Administrator’s Section Distinguished Professional of the Year in 2014. She currently holds the certifications of Certified Parks and Recreation Professional, Aquatic Facility Operator and Certified Pool Operator.

“Holli has worked her way through the ranks of the parks and recreation department and has demonstrated her ability to lead in good times and bad times,” Hugley said. “She has created and maintained partnerships throughout the community. She is well respected within the department and the community. Holli is the right person to lead this department at this time.”

Browder has been working in the recreation industry for the past 18 years, and she also worked as the athletic program supervisor at the Phenix City Parks and Recreation Department from 1999 to 2002.

Browder graduated from Columbus State University in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in communications.

“I am honored to be selected for this new opportunity with the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department,” Browder said. “It has been a privilege to serve our community for many years, and I look forward to continuing the great work we have done with our community stakeholders here in Columbus.”

Browder was born and raised in Phenix City. She’s been with the Columbus Parks and Recreation department for more than 14 years. She has been married to Tim Browder for 15 years and they have two kids, 9-year-old Abigail and 3-year-old Alex.

This story was originally published August 9, 2016 at 3:22 PM with the headline "Assistant Parks and Rec director nominated for top job."