Friday, March 29, 2024

Home Grown Staff: From Part-Time to Assistant Recreation Manager

Our mission at the Southlake Community Services department is to create life-long memories. Nobody embraces that mission more than our Assistant Recreation Manager, Amy Bennet.

Amy is no stranger to Parks and Recreation. A City of Southlake employee for 13 years, Amy plays a pivotal role in the success of the Community Services department. Amy’s career has prepared her to lead our department from running successful summer camp experiences to anticipating Champions Club members’ needs. Her compassionate leadership style and many years of experience created a departmental inside joke of “when Amy was a coordinator…” Community Services employees old and new know they can come to Amy for customer-minded solutions.

We spoke with Amy recently to learn more about her career with the City and her aspirations for the upcoming year. Here’s what she had to say:

When did you first join the department?
I joined the department in November of 2008 as a part-time Recreation Aid. My very first shift was Home for the Holidays!

What positions have you held?
Our part-time position titles are a little different now than when I started. I essentially began as a Recreation Attendant and was promoted to Recreation Specialist- Camp Mania (Camp Director) for two summers. At the end of my second summer in 2010, I moved into a full-time Recreation Coordinator role. I became Assistant Recreation Manager, a new position within the department in preparation for Champions Club, in the spring of 2017.

What’s your favorite part of your current role?
The team. I enjoy seeing new staff members come on board and helping them grow and develop. We have such an amazing team, and I am thankful to lead an outstanding group. I also love the fact that we are constantly pushing the bar to improve and be the best. That is something that has always been consistent with my positions in Southlake and one of the key reasons I’ve stayed. The City challenges its employees to provide world-class experiences in every facet of their role, and I enjoy the challenge!

Anything you look forward to in the next calendar year?
I look forward to the continued growth and success of Champions Club. We have lots of innovative Member Appreciation events planned for the upcoming year. It’s always fun to see what the team planned and how the members respond to it.

What do you like to do when not at work?
Anything outside! I love to be active, so I hike, bike, camp, run, kayak, and walk my dog, Cali. I have the goal to visit every State Park in Texas! I still have a lot left on the list, and Texas is a great big state to explore outside.

Thanks for sharing your career journey with us Amy! Keep up the world-class work!