City names new Parks and Rec director
By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on August 16, 2009 2:00 AM
Nearly a year after hiring Gail Charles as interim director of Goldsboro's Parks and Recreation Department, City Manager Joe Huffman announced a permanent replacement for the 30-year city employee.
Former Wake County Parks and Recreation Director David Carter will take on the same role at City Hall next month.
"I'm thrilled," Carter said Saturday. "I was extremely excited to get the nod from (Huffman) and the city of Goldsboro."
Carter, who holds a degree in park administration/ urban planning from the University of Massachusetts and a graduate degree in recreation resources from North Carolina State University, led the Wake Parks and Recreation Department from October 1984 until January 2006, and was superintendent of Parks and Facilities for that county from July 1981 until October 1984.
Huffman said he and his staff are more than satisfied with their pick.
"I feel we are fortunate to have someone with David's experience and education leading our Parks and Recreation Department," he said.
Carter, who will officially take office Sept. 1, said his first order of business is getting to know the staff and community he will be serving.
"That's one of the things I love to do -- immerse myself in the community," he said.
Ms. Charles has worked for Parks and Recreation since 1979 and was tapped to lead the department on an interim basis after Sonya Shaw left the post late last year to take a position in Garner.
At that time, Huffman said it was unclear whether she would eventually hold the post permanently, but that she was well qualified because she had been "in a parks and recreation leadership role for some time."