Press Release | Office of the Mayor | Westland Names Oklahoma City Recreation Center Director to Lead the City's Parks Department

For Immediate Release | Official Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

36300 Warren Road | Westland, Michigan | 48185

Office 734.467.3200 | Fax 724.721.2310

WWW.CITYOFWESTLAND.COM

Westland Names Oklahoma City Recreation Center Director to Lead the City's Parks Department

Westland, MI - Last night at the Westland City Council meeting City Council approved the appointment of Latricia Gunnells as the new Parks and Recreation Director. She will start her new position on Monday, October 11.

This appointment resulted from an extensive search for qualified applicants by a team, put together by Mayor Wild, who interviewed applicants for the position. The team consisted of Former Deputy Mayor Thelma Kubitskey, Personnel Director Cindy King, City Council President James Godbout and Canton Leisure Services Director Debbie Honsowetz. The search resulted in 25 applicants which led to 11 subsequent interviews which was narrowed down to a short list of applicants to interview with the Mayor.

"I believe Ms. Gunnells has the skills and experience to provide the leadership, vision and creativity necessary to rebuild our recreational programming and opportunities while also leveraging the partnership the City enjoys with various local athletic groups," commented Mayor Wild.

Gunnells, a Detroit native, is relocating from Oklahoma where she currently works as the Community Center Supervisor for the City of Oklahoma City. Gunnells previously served as the Activities Director for the City of Tulsa and was the Assistant Women's Basketball Coach for the University of Tulsa. She has been responsible for management of multiple facilities including community centers, indoor/outdoor public swimming pools, multiple playgrounds, athletic fields, disc golf courses and 20+ miles of rocks/boulders for repelling and training. She has managed staff ranging from up to 68 full-time staff along with 30 volunteers. Gunnells has successfully obtained grants including those from corporations such as K Mart, Wal Mart and others. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from St. John's University, and has nearly completed a Master's degree in Management and Sports Administration from Southern Nazarene University.

The interview team was unanimous in identifying Gunnells as their number one choice for the open Parks and Recreation Director position.

"I am honored to have been selected for the City's Parks & Recreation/Facilities Management Director. I am eager to facilitate the needs of the community and work with Mayor Wild and the wonderful people of Westland," commented Gunnells. "The city of Westland is a great city with great potential and I am happy to assist in any way possible."

For more information, contact Aubrey Berman, Administrative Secretary, at (734) 467-3200.

Westland, Michigan is the state's 10th largest municipality, with a population of over 84,000 people who exhibit a great deal of pride in their All-American City. Westland has a thriving business community along with beautiful residential areas. The citizens enjoy a wide array of amenities and a quality of life that is second to none.

In 2014, Westland was rated as one of 24/7 Wall Street's America's Best 50 Cities to Live, offering residents and visitors an ideal blend of single-family affordable homes, apartments and condominiums, great schools, and access to numerous outdoor activities. Public safety is delivered by full-service, professional law enforcement and firefighting personnel. Westland Police Department, whose motto is protect and serve, provides emergency dispatch services to four cities and over 100,000 residents; the Western Wayne Fire Association firefighters collaboratively serving the Cities of Wayne and Westland are licensed paramedics who responded to over 13,000 calls for service last year, about 85% being medical based. They never forget their mission of preserving life and property.

Westland is well-known as the premier destination for shopping and dining in Wayne County with hundreds if shops and restaurants anchored by the Westland Shopping Center, on of the country's original four regional malls.

Infinite opportunities are available in Westland for the recreation aficionado including, more that 40 parks and 1,500 acres of trails, a 9-hole golf course, hockey arena, athletic fields, playscapes, a Farmers and Artisans Market and more. One of Michigan's most environmentally friendly cities, Westland has a progressive curbside recycling program with one of the highest participation rates in the nation and the City is raising the bar for cultural experiences with the placement of public art throughout the City.

The City is served by two public school districts; Wayne-Westland Community Schools serving 12,000 youth was recently named one of the Best School in Michigan by WXYZ-TV and is the proud recipient of 14 Golden Apple and two Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Awards. Livonia Public Schools, educating nearly 15,000 students, is proud of their MEAP/MME scores that exceed state averages and the District has also earned Golden Apple and Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Awards.

Westland's philosophy is that government should embrace good business principles. Providing oversight over the City's operating budget of $60 million dollars, Westland is the only community in Wayne County with a 3-year balanced budget and an approximately 10 percent budget surplus.

The City provides competitive incentives for those who are interested in investing in Westland, making it one of the hottest investment markets in the region. Our Fast-Track to Business Team, which consists of key decision makers who work diligently on a development plan will "cut the red tape" and expedite the approval process for new business development.