The City of Kettering is pleased to announce the selection of Bill Tschirhart to serve as Kettering’s next Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts (PRCA) Director. Mr. Tschirhart will start his service on Monday, Dec. 2. He will succeed Mary Beth O’Dell, who concluded her distinguished 23-year tenure as PRCA Director in June.
Mr. Tschirhart has worked for nearly a decade for Five Rivers MetroParks, most recently serving as Chief of Administration.
With over 26 years of experience, Tschirhart brings to Kettering a proven track record of innovative leadership and team development. His collaborative approach and commitment to creating public value align perfectly with the City of Kettering’s vision for the future. He is a recognized leader in the industry, teaching other parks and recreation professionals through various state and national conferences including the National Recreation and Parks Association’s Revenue Development and Management School.
Prior to serving Five Rivers MetroParks, he served the City of Kettering PRCA for 16 years, including 10 as Business Service Manager. He and his wife, Amy (a teacher in the Kettering school district), live in Kettering where their children attend(ed) Kettering Schools. Tschirhart regularly gives back to the community through his involvement in committees, volunteerism, and his active position on the Kettering Board of Community Relations.
City Manager Matt Greeson stated, “It was the City of Kettering’s goal to ensure that our next Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Director brought outstanding, proven leadership skills to the position. We care deeply about our parks, recreation and cultural arts services and are thrilled with our selection of Bill Tschirhart. After conducting a national search, we appreciate that we found a leader in our hometown with an impressive background and qualifications and who cares as deeply about the community as we do.”
Tschirhart said, “It may sound a bit cliché, but Kettering is home. It’s where I gained my first professional experience and earned a promotion, and it is where I chose to raise a family. I am committed to collaborating with residents, businesses, and community stakeholders so that together we can take the City further.”
Tschirhart holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Dayton and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He is a current member of the Kettering Board of Community Relations and a past member of the University of Dayton’s Masters in Public Administration Advisory Board.
###