October 13, 2011

Dear Friends,

I am pleased to announce my selection of Mike Abbaté as Director of Portland Parks & Recreation. Since March, Mike has served as PP&R’s Asset Manager, leading over 100 staff in parks planning, design, construction, maintenance, and facilities. Portland will continue to benefit greatly from Mike's leadership and experience as he steps into this new role.

We conducted an extensive national recruitment to fill the position, involving bureau employees, Parks Board members, representatives from our “Friends” and partner organizations, community members, and City colleagues.

We were looking for someone with demonstrated skills in a number of areas: leadership, strategic thinking, diversity and equity, relationships, communication, management of people, and operational management and innovation.

Mike’s passion for this work and his experience impressed all of us. He brings strong skills in management, is effective at building and strengthening community partnerships, and is committed to problem-solving and finding innovative ways to doing our work.

I look forward to working with Mike, Parks employees, and the Parks Board to advance Parks 2020, increase diversity and equity within the bureau and for those we serve, and creatively address funding challenges.

Mike’s first day as Director will be next Monday, October 17. He has asked Sue Keil to stay on as an advisor during the transition.

News Release

"Portland Parks Bureau hires internally after national search" - Beth Slovic in the Oregonian

"Mike Abbate named Portland parks director" - Andy Giegerich in the Businesss Journal