Lacey resident Mark O. Brown is the newest person on the State Parks and Recreation Commission. Gov. Chris Gregoire announced the appointment Monday. Brown begins his term immediately.
Brown’s term will run through December 2016. He takes the seat vacated by Kelly Punteney of Vancouver, Wash., who recently resigned.
Brown has been a key player for the past 15 years in efforts to preserve and re-use historic and recreational assets at the Vancouver National Historic Reserve. He also played a key role with the Confluence Project, which has installed artworks by artist Maya Lin at Sacajawea and Cape Disappointment state parks in conjunction with the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial. He is a former member of the State Investment Board.
“I’m coming on the commission at a time when the agency is facing unprecedented financial challenges,” Brown said in a prepared statement. “The commission is going to lead a historic transformation of the agency, and while undoubtedly a daunting task, I plan to give it my all.”
Brown, 61, is a governmental affairs professional who brings years of public and private sector experience to the commission, said a State Parks news release. He is president of Connections Public Affairs and has public and private sector clients throughout southwest Washington. He is former mayor of the City of Lacey and also has served as director of the Washington Department of Labor and Industries.
The commission sets policy for the State Parks and Recreation agency, which manages 117 parks, including long-distance land and water trails and statewide programs such as winter recreation and boating safety. The commission has seven members who serve six-year terms. They hire a director to oversee the agency’s operating and capital programs. The commission has public meetings six times a year at locations around the state.
Other commissioners
Joe Taller
Olympia, chairman
Rodger Schmitt
Port Townsend, vice chairman
Lucinda S. Whaley
Spokane
Patricia T. Lantz
Gig Harbor
Steve S. Milner
Chelan
One position is vacant.
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