John N. Spencer

About John N. Spencer

As a Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) and Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) with a Master’s in Education and a Bachelor’s in Recreation & Parks Management from Penn State, I am committed to delivering exceptional recreational opportunities and maintaining high-quality park resources. With extensive experience in outdoor recreation and parks administration, I excel in translating complex data into actionable insights for employees, elected officials, and community stakeholders. Passionate about creating engaging, sustainable public spaces, I am ready to contribute my leadership, strategic planning, and project management skills to enhance an organization’s programs and services.Life member of the Penn State Alumni Association.The views expressed on this site are my own and do not in any way reflect the views of my employer.

Experience

1. Recreation Division Head

   City Of Ocala

   Feb 2017 — Present · Ocala, FL, US

   The City of Ocala’s Recreation & Parks Department provides the opportunity for improved quality of life through the programming and maintenance of recreational and public facilities. The annual departmental budget is over $14 million and manages over 900 acres of parkland in 48 facilities & parks- Lead and manage the Recreation Division within the City of Ocala’s Recreation & Parks Department, overseeing a team of approximately 24 full-time, 20 part-time, and 40 seasonal employees across 7 facilities, including high-profile locations such as the Mary Sue Rich Community Center, the Discovery Center, and the Jervey Gantt Aquatic Center- Administer an annual division budget exceeding $3 million, ensuring efficient allocation of resources to maintain and support diverse recreational programs and facilities- Spearhead the strategic direction and operational management of a wide range of recreational services, including aquatics, athletics, senior programs, special populations, and community events, while maintaining a strong focus on enhancing the quality of life for residents- Drive continuous improvement efforts by evaluating the effectiveness of facilities, programs, and services, developing both immediate and long-term plans to address evolving community needs and ensure the highest standards of service delivery- Lead the selection, implementation, and ongoing administration of the Perfect Mind/XPlor recreation management software, optimizing department operations. Previously served as the ActiveNet Administrator, streamlining user experiences and program delivery- Oversee fiscal management, including budget preparation, monitoring expenditures, and managing contracts and service agreements, ensuring alignment with departmental goals and objectives.

Education

• Penn State University

  Master of Education (MEd), Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies

  1996 — 1998

• North Carolina State University

  Certificate - , Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management

  2008 — 2009

• Penn State University

  Bachelor of Science (BS), Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies

  1991 — 1996

• Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center

  Certificate, Drafting and Design Technology/Technician, General

  1986 — 1990

• Florida Recreation & Park Association

  Joe Abrahams Academy for Leadership Excellence, Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies

  2019 — 2019

• York College of Pennsylvania

  Public Safety Academy

  2006 — 2006

• Art Institute of Pittsburgh

  Music and Video Business

  1990 — 1991

• Altoona Area High School

  Diploma, Drafting and Design Technology/Technician, General

  1986 — 1990

Skills

• Human Resources
• Law Enforcement Operations
• Computer Proficiency
• Event Management
• Finance
• Community Outreach
• Supervision
• Local Government
• Experienced Trainer
• Outdoor Recreation
• Performance Appraisal
• Outdoor Education
• First Responder
• Parks
• Supervisory Skills
• Administration
• Volunteer Management
• Training
• Public Safety
• Policy
• Microsoft Excel
• Fundraising
• Leadership
• Wildland Fire
• Environmental Education
• Public Speaking
• Public Policy
• Park Operations
• Video Walls
• Workshop Facilitation
• Emergency Services
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Recreation Planning
• Social Media
• Firearms
• Strategic Planning
• Leadership Development
• Handcuffing
• Program Evaluation
• Emergency Management