LANCASTER – The New Year brings a new Parks, Recreation and Arts director for the City of Lancaster. Senior Operations Manager, Ronda Perez, will replace Bob Greene who officially retires on Dec. 30, the City announced Wednesday.
“Ronda has been an effective leader on our staff for quite some time now,” said City Manager Mark Bozigian. “She is very capable, talented and resourceful. I am confident Ronda will do an outstanding job in this position.”
During the Dec. 13 City Council meeting, Bozigian, Mayor R. Rex Parris and City Council members commended Greene for 23 years with the City, and welcomed Ronda Perez to the position.
“Bob Greene has simply been phenomenal. In addition to successfully overseeing the Lancaster Performing Arts Center; Lancaster’s Museum of Arts and History (MOAH); City Parks, and the facilities and recreational activities available there, he has brought our City’s special events up to a new level,” said Parris. “Under Bob’s leadership, the Parks, Recreation and Arts department has launched the Magical BLVD Christmas, Celebrate America, and BooLVD events. These events have been responsible for drawing tens of thousands of attendees to downtown Lancaster to enjoy the new BLVD.”
In a statement Wednesday, Perez said she was excited by the challenge the new position offered and honored to lead the Parks, Recreation and Arts (PRA) department.
“The PRA department, with support from all city personnel, has worked diligently to support the Council in creating an engaged community for local area residents,” said Perez. “From our special class offerings to organized sports, special events, cultural and performing arts, after school enrichment programs, and maintaining acres upon acres of parkland, our team is committed to helping residents grow intellectually, get fit, and make lasting memories by spending quality time with their loved ones.”
Ronda Perez moved to Lancaster at the age of six, and attended El Dorado Elementary, Park View Middle School and Paraclete High School, graduating with the class of 1998. She went on to attend the University of California Irvine, graduating with a degree in Criminology and a second in Political Science.
In 2002, Perez held an internship at the White House, where she was responsible for establishing the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation. She later received her Master’s of Science from California State University Long Beach in Criminal Justice.
Perez returned to Lancaster in 2006, to be close to her family, while her husband, Anthony, was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base. Their son was born in early 2007 and they added a daughter to their family in late 2009. The Perez family resides in Lancaster.
Perez initially joined the staff at the City in 2006 as a Management Analyst in the PRA department, working on the budget and administering existing grants. Her duties expanded over time. She most recently functioned as Senior Operations Manager, with oversight of special events, budget, contracts, aquatics, the Lancaster Museum of Art and History, and athletics.
“Special events, the City’s arts community, and the growth of community partnerships will continue to be the focus of this department,” said Perez.
“I am very pleased to welcome Ronda as our new Director for Parks, Recreation and Arts,” said Parris. “We are positive she will do a magnificent job building on the momentum and energy within this department.”
(Information via press release from the City of Lancaster.)
Nicol Gerstein says
Rhonda has done an excellent job with the City of Lancaster Parks, Recreation & Arts Department. Recognition of this kind is well deserved!
Matt Keltner says
What an accomplished individual! I appreciate people who return to the community of their upbringing to do good things and make it a better place.