For Immediate Release
Feb. 16, 2011
Dublin's Earman Tabbed to Head State Association
(Cincinnati) Matt Earman, the Director of Dublin Recreation Services, assumed the presidency of the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA) at the group’s annual meeting last week in Cincinnati. Earman was selected by the association’s Board of Directors to lead the more than 1,100 member group of Ohio parks and recreations professionals.
Earman, who was elected to the OPRA Board in 2009, will lead the association in its mission of “promoting the wise use of leisure and sound stewardship of Ohio’s parks, recreation and natural resources.” He previously served as chair of the association’s nominations committee and as a leader of OPRA’s state advocacy efforts.
“Matt Earman is respected around Ohio as a thoughtful and innovative professional who is passionate about parks and recreation,” said OPRA Executive Director Woody Woodward. “His work in Dublin has earned him acclaim around the state. We look forward to Matt’s continued leadership in OPRA and believe that he is the right person to lead our organization as we continue to tell the stories of life-change which happen as a result of parks and recreation opportunities which are available throughout this great state.”
“It’s an honor for me to lead our great profession in Ohio,” Earman said. “I’m proud of the work that our members do to improve the quality of life of the people of Ohio, and I am fortunate to lead a group of professionals who are committed to making Ohio the best state in the nation to live, work and raise a family.”
Earman will lead the association’s ten member Board of Directors and professional staff. The association, headquartered in Westerville, represents parks and recreation professionals and citizen board members in cities, townships and park districts around Ohio, striving to provide quality park and recreational facilities and opportunities for all Ohioans while protecting and preserving Ohio's natural resources. Ohio has become known as a trend setter in the nation with parks and recreation often singled out for national test markets and pilot programs.
OPRA was initially organized in 1934 as the Ohio Recreation Association, with a separate organization, the Ohio Parks Association, formed in 1942. In 1963 ORA and OPA Incorporated to become OPRA.
For more information
Contact: Megan Canavan at 614.410.4504 | mcanavan@dublin.oh.us
Download: Matt Earman Photo
