NO SMALL WONDER: THE DEAN TICE YEARS OF SERVICE AS NRPA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) was founded in 1965, uniting park and recreation professionals and citizen advocates in a common goal of advancing the park and recreation movement. Since the founding, there have only been eight people who have been entrusted with providing leadership to NRPA as a chief administrative officer. The first seven are Al LaGasse, Joe Prendergast, Sal Prezisio, William Pond, Dwight Rettie, Sidney Lutzin, and John Davis. All of these gentlemen served the association well and laid a fulcrum from which to build a successful organization.

The eighth person to hold the position of executive director is R. Dean Tice, who was installed in 1986 and has served in this capacity for the past 15 years, the longest tenure of all.

The building of the Panama Canal is considered to be the "eighth wonder of the world." If you want to stretch your imagination just a bit, you can see parallels between this construction and the work that Dean Tice has done in 15 years with NRPA.

The Panama Canal greatly shortened the distance of travel for ships, opening up new markets for trade and greatly expanding the efficiency of commerce. But the building of this canal was extremely difficult, and it took many years of hard work, sweat, and toil to complete this magnificent project. Efficiency and hard work. Those are two concepts that describe Tice's management style to a "T."

As the front line manager of an organization, Tice established standards and business practices that enabled NPRA to acquire and allocate the financial resources to support its goals. Efficiency is the key word. Tice streamlined the organization and implemented a standardized budget and work plan process that is still in effect today. Each staff person has accountability for his or her projects, and monthly financial updates are provided and monitored carefully. There are no surprises with Tice at the helm.

His financial management led NRPA from a net worth of $430,000 when he began employment to over $9 million today. This amounts to an increase of almost 2,000%.

There is no one who has devoted more energy on behalf of NRPA in promoting the Association. Tice has literally traveled worldwide to promote the benefits of parks and recreation. He has made numerous appearances in all 50 states, testified before Congress, and met with many U.S. presidents and White House officials. During Tice's tenure, NRPA has established protocol partnerships with seven nations and has been instrumental in establishing NRPA's international presence. It is not uncommon to see Tice leave for the airport on a Friday night to attend an event cross country, and then fly back on the Sunday "red-eye" and still be at his desk first thing Monday morning.

Tice is more than just a driven leader with an effective management style. He is a man with a strong belief in, and passion for, the benefits of park and recreation services, and one who has dedicated a large portion of his life to bettering the world for others. He was a member of the NRPA Board of Trustees (beginning in 1983) where he served as the Armed Forces Recreation Society (AFRS) representative. Tice had a long and distinguished military career, rising to the rank of lieutenant general in the United States Army. As the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manpower and Force Management for the Army, Tice oversaw many of the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) programs and garnered first hand the critical importance of recreation not only to military personnel, but their families as well.

Overseeing recreation programs for hundreds of thousands of people gave him a strong foundation for how to deliver successful recreation programming. Having lived and served overseas for many years, and having traveled extensively around the world, Tice witnessed the "global community" of parks and recreation. The need for open space, flesh air and water, and places to play and relax are universal needs that cut across all human boundaries. These are the things that tie humanity together.

With his background in serving for one of the largest worldwide organizations and his experience in providing recreation services, Tice was the ideal choice to become the executive director of NRPA in 1986.

When Tice came on board, NRPA was facing some significant financial challenges, but his foresight, leadership, and planning soon propelled NRPA to a solid financial position. His immediate efforts enabled NRPA to double its net worth in his first year alone and to quadruple it four years later.

Membership growth and retention was essential to the long-term stability of NRPA. The offering of membership sections (National Aquatics Section, Commercial Recreation and Tourism Section, and Leisure and Aging Section) came under Tice's tutelage and was the major factor in significantly increasing membership numbers. Recognizing that citizen board members and citizen volunteers were a vital part of NRPA, he also made special efforts to embrace and encourage citizen growth. Today, NRPA's membership is at an all time high of 23,500, a 15-year growth rate of more than 30%.

Tice knew that new programs and a commitment to dedicated service were needed if the membership was to grow. The National Playground Safety Institute (NPSI) was developed during his tenure, and today more than 6,700 Certified Playground Safety Inspectors (CPSI) are available across the country to ensure that our playgrounds are safe. Agency accreditation began in 1994 and today more than 30 agencies hold this title. The accreditation of higher education park and recreation programs (university and college curriculums) has grown more than 40% since his arrival.

The development of the NRPA National Programs Office greatly added to the benefits offered to NRPA members and has provided numerous key partnerships. Formal partnerships with entities such as the National Football League and the United States Tennis Association have enabled NRPA to develop outstanding programs as well as provide financial assistance in the form of grants to member park and recreation agencies.

The annual NRPA Congress & Exposition has also grown immeasurably under Tice's direction. When Tice first began, NRPA offered 137 educational sessions at the Congress. The most recent Congress in Phoenix, AZ offered 297 educational sessions. Congress attendance has grown to all-time record numbers with total attendance of more than 10,000 attendees. This surely is evidence of a vibrant and healthy organization with a strong industry leadership position as well as a membership that is excited about the educational offerings and proud to be a part of a network of park and recreation advocates.

NRPA's clout as a public policy organization has also been enhanced. NRPA has always stood vigil for the fight for funding for the Land & Water Conservation Fund. Today's debate in Congress is not about the value of this Fund, but how much this Fund deserves. Of all the organizations in Washington fighting for this cause, much of this credit goes to NRPA. Tice's initiative to open a Washington, DC-based public policy office ensures daily contact with Capitol Hill, the White House, and key public policy decision-makers.

NRPA reached out to the public with messages about the benefits of park and recreation services. A landmark anti-drug television public service announcement (PSA) campaign featuring the slogan "Exercise the Right Choice" reached millions of people and in fact, is still airing on stations today. The development of the "Parks and Recreation ... The Benefits are Endless" campaign was also a landmark initiative that provides tools and knowledge for park and recreation agency members to instill the importance of recreation services and to capture public support. The recently enacted NRPA Year of Service Campaign, which encourages agencies to hold a community-based public service project one day during the year, has been an excellent foray to arouse public attention.

Tice also reached out to those in the park and recreation industry, asking for their support both in terms of exhibiting at trade shows, supporting Parks & Recreation magazine with advertising, and making donations to the Association. He would emphasize that an investment in NRPA was a beneficial one because it was a reinvestment in the park and recreation community and, in turn, would benefit these supporting companies. And his efforts were successful. The NRPA Congress & Exposition now boasts more than 800 booths, annually bringing in vital revenue that helps support so many NRPA activities. The financial success of Parks & Recreation magazine has also been exponential under Tice. When Tice began service with NRPA, advertising revenues for the magazine were $90,000. Today, they are well over $1.3 million.

Undoubtedly, the most notable achievement under Tice's leadership was the construction of the Ahrens NRPA Institute, the "home" for parks and recreation. A close friend of Mr. Claude Ahrens, the benefactor who provided the $1 million challenge to build the $3.6 million Institute, Tice's leadership and guidance with the NRPA Board of Trustees and members of industry was instrumental in the success of this venture. Dedicated in June 1997, the Ahrens NRPA Institute is the headquarters for NRPA and a symbol of permanence and stature for all of those past, present, and future in the park and recreation field.

The bust of Claude Ahrens standing in the hallway of the Ahrens NRPA Institute has the simple words "Leave it better than you found it." Undisputedly, Dean Tice leaves NRPA better than he found it. It is clear that his vision and leadership have brought so many positive contributions to NPRA and the entire park and recreation community. There is no magic secret for his success. It comes from a commitment to hard work and dedication that has made this farmer's son from Topeka, Kansas rise to the top and exceed every challenge before him. And that's no small wonder.

REFLECTIONS ON THE NRPA CAREER OF R. DEAN TICE

As R. Dean Tice's leadership of NRPA comes to a close, the following individuals have provided their own insights of his tenure, his personal relationships with leaders of the association, his supportive guidance, and his love for parks and recreation.

Beverly Brandes Chairman 1992-1995

The years I served as Chairman of the Board, 1992-1995, were challenging times for communities, states, and the nation. Economic and social stress placed increased demand on public parks and recreation. However, with challenges came opportunities. It was my good fortune to be elected Chairman of the Board and have the opportunity to work alongside Dean Tice for four years in this capacity. Dean rose to the occasion, identified the issues and challenges and how they might be addressed. It was then that we could lead the association in a meaningful way together. There was membership assessment, Vision 2000, the establishment of a Leisure and Aging section, first time participation in the Senior Olympics, a major citizen effort through the Friends publication, and a commitment from Claude Ahrens to contribute one million dollars to NRPA. Much credit must be given to Dean for initiating this gift to our association. This gift brought an even greater challenge to us ... how to raise money to match Claude's generous donation. Dean worked tirelessly with the Board, staff, and outside consultants to make this dream become a reality. I would trade nothing for the opportunity that I had to work closely with Dean Tice. He is a man of honor and has a commitment to excellence. His high energy level is unprecedented. When traveling to Grinnell, Iowa, with him for the dedication of the Claude Ahrens facility, I could not keep up with him. I fondly remember running through the airport to get a cab. Thanks to Eunice too for her support of Dean during these years. She has a real commitment to and love for NRPA as well. Dean Tice has a wonderful heart and a passion for NRPA. He was the man for the times and we are all better persons because he has passed our way.

Ted Flickinger President 1999

Like a good leader in the military, Lt. Gen. R. Dean Tice took inventory of the situation at NRPA 15 years ago and marshaled his available resources to create a successful operation. His focus? NRPA's financial viability. The result? NRPA's budget went from "under-the-red" to "in the black" during Dean's strong and disciplined leadership of the association. A permanent home for NRPA was envisioned, built, and occupied. Parks & Recreation, the showcase publication for the field, has surpassed $1 million in advertising revenues. Association reserves, or "rainy day" funds, are healthy. The next professional to occupy the executive director's office will not begin the job with a financial burden and we can all appreciate that. Aside from his fiscal acumen and disciplined leadership, I know firsthand that Dean is an honest and principled man. I've had the pleasure of working with him as a part of the NRPA leadership for nine of the past 15 years. His personal integrity and passion for the profession have served NRPA so well. His achievements leave an indelible mark on our national association.

Chris Jarvi President 1998

I first met Dean in 1986 during the NRPA Congress in Anaheim. As Host Committee Chair, I wanted to make sure that his very first Congress as Executive Director was a good one. The entire Committee was proud to have had the opportunity to provide the setting for his first introduction to the NRPA membership. Since that time, my association with Dean developed as I became involved with committee work, the Board of Trustees, and finally as an elected officer in NRPA. Much has been accomplished during Dean's tenure. The first task addressed by Dean was to bring the Association from the brink of financial disaster to an organization that has a budget over $10 million and a $5 million reserve. The Congress in Anaheim has been dwarfed by the Congresses held today in terms of attendance and exhibits. We were able to work together to fund and build a permanent headquarters for NRPA and create some impressive new public/private partnerships with organizations in allied fields. We developed the first and second strategic plan for the Association built upon members' needs and satisfaction surveys. We also entered the digital wave with the creation and refinement of NRPAnet and the computerization of work functions. And we have reached new heights with our legislative program having scored several important victories over the past several years.

Dean brought many things to the job. He had instant credibility because of his military career and is a compassionate man. I remember hearing his impassioned speech about the importance of recreation to the soldier as well as the child in a playground. He was as well liked by the citizen/board member as he was by the professionals. His relationship with Eunice was one that I admired and my wife Syl and I always enjoyed associating with them in the various events we attended. NRPA would not be where it is today without Dean's leadership and his unselfish dedication to our well being. I congratulate him upon his retirement and wish Dean and Eunice the very best in their second retirement.

Richard Johns President 1993

Thanks for a remarkable run as Executive Director of NRPA. Your passion for this country's parks and recreation movement coupled with your professionalism and dedication to NRPA's vision and goals will distinguish you as one of our great leaders who worked tirelessly to advance the association. I will always have fond memories of the opportunity that I had to "serve" with you when I was president in 1993. Be proud of your many accomplishments, particularly your commitment to securing a permanent home for the national office and the financial security you brought to NRPA that will have lasting benefits to our bright future. We are all proud of you! Best regards for a healthy and happy future and second retirement.

Fran P. Mainella President 1997

Thank you for the outstanding 15 years you have given to the National Recreation and Park Association. You have made a difference in this organization, particularly in the area of financial stability that we all appreciate. Having the opportunity to serve with you as president of this organization in 1997, I saw your desire to make sure NRPA moved in the proper direction. We met challenges head on and embraced opportunities. Your leadership, dedication, and commitment were greatly appreciated. My greatest memory is the opening of our new headquarters- Ahrens National Recreation and Park Association Institute. I will always remember the great enthusiasm and excitement that filled everyone's heart that day. The ribbon cutting symbolized the future of NRPA. I am pleased we shared that part of NRPA's history together. Thank you for your service to NRPA and the friendship that you and I have established. I look forward to its continuance. Best wishes in your retirement and new endeavors.

Joe O'Neill President 1992

Congratulations on a great run!! When you were chosen to be the Executive Director of NRPA, the membership and trustees knew that through your experience in the United States Army you have been recognized as a leader. Perhaps there was more than a little concern that as a General you would attempt to lead this volunteer organization by giving orders. You quickly demonstrated however that the most effective leadership style is working cooperatively with the various diverse factions of our movement and the staff to find the common ground that we all believe in. Dean, you were able to find a way to challenge us to achieve more than we even thought was possible, yet not @t the expense of other ongoing projects.

Not only did we reestablish financial stability, but you also inspired others to set forth a vision of an aggressive, yet obtainable concrete goal, the Ahrens Institute. The road wasn't easy. Truly worthwhile accomplishments rarely are. Your ability to "rally the troops" to achieve their potential is your legacy to the National Recreation and Park Association. Thanks Dean for leading us to new heights.

Eric O'Brien Chairman 1995-1999

Dean Tice has provided 15 years of dedicated service to the National Recreation and Park Association. His leadership during these years has been exemplary and Dean has brought the Association from near bankruptcy to a financially stable organization respected nationally and internationally. Dean's accomplishment in the building of a national headquarters for NRPA was, in my mind, his greatest achievement. NRPA has, at last, a home in the park setting.

Along with the challenge of building the Ahrens Institute, Dean has been responsible for major growth in membership and membership services. The concept of an annual legislative fly-in was unique for NRPA and thus the efforts to convince members of Congress as to the value of parks and recreation to bear fruit. The Association has had success on Capital Hill with funding for Juvenile Justice programs and a joint U.S. Coast Guard-NRPA Safe Boating Manual. With Dean's leadership, NRPA's partnerships with major corporations and non-profit organizations such as NFL, USTA, and Nations in Bloom has brought recognition to our Association.

The greatest reward that I have shared with Dean was the increase of exhibitors at our international Congress for parks and recreation. NRPA has for the last few years "sold out" the available exhibit space. Thanks, Dean, for all that you have done to make NRPA a world class organization.

R.I. "Rip" Wilkinson Chairman 1999-Present

In the mid 1980's, at a low point both financially and organizationally, Dean Tice brought to NRPA a different set of management and leadership skills that allowed the association to rise to new levels of stability. His ability to assess problems and make quick decisions was a major asset in reestablishing our direction. All of us in the NRPA membership owe Dean a huge debt of gratitude.

Dean has meant a lot to me personally. First, I don't know many generals! It's evident from the way he interacts with people that he is a natural leader and is comfortable with the leadership role. He is genuinely involved with everyone on the board and makes time to talk with all of the trustees as time allows. His friendship with many of the Foundation members extends back to his days on the Board of Trustees and newer members are able to quickly gain a genuine appreciation and admiration for him. Dean personally introduced me to all of the Foundation members during my first visit with them.

Dean has a gift for visualizing the "big picture" while at the same time paying attention to the details that allow the "big picture" to come into focus for others. In my first year as chairman, he taught me a lot about the history of the association, enabling me to better work with and through the real priorities. We have discussed the future and what it can hold and some of the ways to achieve these goals. Our discussions always end with positive results. Dean's genuine interest in the field of recreation is evident, as is his belief that the people in the field are its most valuable resource.

Dean and Eunice have always made my wife Cynthia and I feel welcome and important to the association. We value their friendship and hospitality and wish them both much happiness and good health in their new life adventure. And I am especially happy that Dean has agreed to stay in touch and be involved as needed!

Alice Conkey President 2000-Present

Congratulations to Dean Tice on his fifteen years of fantastic service to our great organization. Under Dean's leadership, NRPA experienced prosperity, growth, and financial stability. His crowning achievement was the planning, design, construction, and dedication of the Ahrens NRPA Institute.

Dean was an inspiration to both citizens and professionals, working endlessly to promote the mission, goals, benefits, and values of the parks and recreation movement on the national, regional, state, and local levels. His enthusiasm, dedication, passion, and zest for our goals and vision is contagious.

I had the privilege to work with Dean during his final year of service and he exhibited the same energy and heart as he has for the past fifteen years. Dean was always there to offer support, guidance, wisdom, and even a jolt of reality.

When Dean assumed the position in 1986, the organization was experiencing financial difficulties. Today, NRPA is a stronger, more effective organization due to his tireless efforts. New programs and initiatives have been undertaken. Our visibility has been enhanced and our credibility increased.

Dean leaves the organization with a great foundation, unlimited potential, and a strong legacy.

Thanks, Dean, for all of the wonderful memories!!