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Suffolk man hired for new athletic, recreation director job at Highland
BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER
 | | Brian W. Parker |
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MONTEREY - Brian W. Parker of Suffolk is the pick for the newly created position of Highland County athletic/ recreation director, said Highland County Public Schools' superintendent Gary Blair this week.
The Highland County School Board approved Blair's recommendation to hire Parker after discussing his qualifications in closed session Monday.
Parker told The Recorder Wednesday he has accepted the position. "I look forward to moving to Highland County. I really want to develop good recreational and athletic programs where we're playing for district and state championships, and giving the community something to be proud of."
Highland supervisors had already approved creating the new position; partial funding from the county will be transferred to the school board, with the job's salary to be paid through the school, said county administrator Roberta Lambert, and no further approval from supervisors is required to hire Parker.
Parker will be responsible for administering and supervising high school sports and countywide recreation programs.
He will work directly for Blair, who will work cooperatively with the recreation commission. Supervisors will receive updates on Parker's performance from the commission.
"We are pleased with his selection," said Sherry Sullenberger, recreation commission chair, who was involved in the interview process. "We are excited about working with him. I only met him once; he seems to be a very energetic and knowledgeable young man. We are excited to have this position filled and get some help."
Sullenberger said she expects challenges since the position is new and shared between the school system and the county, but said, "We have confidence with Blair and the leadership of the school. We can work together. One of the better things about the position will prove to be that we use so many of the same facilities - the school and school grounds. Also, because we will know exactly when the facilities are available to us, scheduling won't be as difficult."
Parker was a head JV coach for two years and assistant varsity basketball coach for seven years, said Blair. Parker took his team to national competition with the AAU in 2002. He was also head JV and assistant varsity football coach for two years.
Parker taught special education at Southampton High School and Lakeland High School in Suffolk.
He graduated in 1997 from Paul D. Camp Community College in Suffolk with a general studies degree and in 2004 from Virginia Tech with a B.A. in history.
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