Leadership
Vision Statement
The Indiana Park and Recreation Association is the premier source of support and advancement for parks and recreation providers.
Mission Statement
The Indiana Park and Recreation Association advances healthy lifestyles and environmental stewardship by providing education, professional development, resources and advocacy.
2024 Board of Directors
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President
Becky Barrick-Higgins, Bloomington Parks & Recreation
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President-Elect
Jim Basala, Lake County Parks and Recreation
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Past-President
Steve McDaniel, Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation
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Secretary/ Treasurer
Leslie Brinson, Bloomington Parks & Recreation
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Northern District Rep.
Jamison Czarnecki, City of Elkhart Parks and Recreation
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Northern District Rep.
Lisa Leach, Portage Township Parks and Recreation
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Southern District Rep.
Brady Buckley, Columbus Parks & Recreation
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Southern District Rep.
Jonathan Blake, RJL Solutions
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NRTG Rep.
Travis Tranbarger, PROS Consulting, Inc.
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Aquatics Rep.
Nicole Drexler, Lake County Parks and Recreation
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Recreation and Programming Rep.
Ashley Greene, Indy Parks
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New & Young Professional Rep
Sarah Gregory
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Corporate Rep.
Megan Miller, Miracle Playgrounds of Indiana
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Corporate Rep.
Randy Royer, Hitchcock Design Group
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Elected Official
Chuck Gardiner, Town of Munster
IPRA Staff
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Lisa D. Nye
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Lisa Nye has over 30 years’ experience in non-profit management, twenty-five of those as an Association professional. She is currently the Executive Director of the Indiana Park & Recreation Association where her focus is on broadening IPRA’s ability to positively impact park professionals and their communities throughout Indiana, as well as provide them with valuable professional development opportunities and resources.
Prior to joining IPRA, Lisa served as Vice President of the Professional Association for Customer Engagement where she was responsible for administration of two major national conventions, 12 U.S. chapters with 40 chapter based events annually, and was founder and director of the PACE philanthropic initiative which has supported charities in 20 states.
Lisa also served as Director of Finance and Administration for IARCA – an Association of Children’s and Family Services for 14 years before leaving to join the staff of an IARCA member agency as Director of Community Services at Resource, Inc., a facility that provides services for seriously emotionally disturbed or delinquent children and their families.
Her career also includes time as a consultant for the Ball State Social Science Research Center and SomeIQ.
Lisa has been an active volunteer with many charities that focus on children, hunger, homelessness, human rights, the environment and Down Syndrome. She enjoys spending time visiting local parks with her grandchildren, and visiting/hiking national parks.
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Courtnie Pettigrew
MEMBERSHIP & EVENTS COORDINATOR
Courtnie joined IPRA in October 2019 part time, as the Administrative Coordinator. In that role she helped with billing and event planning. Then November 2020, Courtnie became the Membership and Events Coordinator. In her new role, Courtnie will focus on event planning, marketing, and membership.
Courtnie graduated December 2018 from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis where she received her degree in Tourism, Conventions, and Event Management.
When Courtnie is not working, she enjoys traveling, camping, and spending time with family, friends, and taking her dog, Remmie, on walks through parks.
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Rob Nagel
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Rob Nagel has over 12 years of fundraising and non-profit management and experience. He is currently the Business Development Coordinator of the Indiana Parks & Recreation Association where his focus is developing and fostering relationships with new and existing corporate partners of the IPRA, executing long and short-range sponsorship and fundraising plans and assisting in the planning of IPRA events.
Prior to joining the IPRA, Rob served as Senior Director of Alumni Relations and Housing for the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, where he was responsible for overseeing roughly 100 advisory groups and housing corporations, overseeing the Canonsburg Corporation Housing Loan program, creating educational programs for alumni volunteers, re-creating an alumnus giving program and assisting in execution of the semi-annual Grand Arch Council convention.
Rob also served as the Development/Event Manager of the American Diabetes Association where he oversaw the Indiana Tour de Cure, a one day cycling event that raises funds for advancements in diabetes research, provides educational programming and ensures advocacy for the millions of Americans living with diabetes.
Outside of work, Rob enjoys spending time with his son, being outdoors, cycling and watching professional and college sports.