Sandra Whitmore is the retired Director of Recreation, Parks and Cultural
Activities for the City of Alexandria, Va. Previously she was the
Superintendent of Recreation Services for Northbrook, Il, Highland Park, Il and
Winnetka, Il. She received her B.S. degree in Physical Education from the
University of Nebraska in 1960 and her M.S. degree in Recreation and Parks
Administration from Western Illinois University in 1994.
Sandra became a member of the Academy in 1994 and served as
President in 2001. She also served as President of the Academy Foundation from 2002-2008.
Her involvement in NRPA includes the Congress Program
Committee for 10 years and served as Chair in 1994. She also was one of the
Academy’s representatives on the Certification Board for many terms and chaired
that committee. Accomplishments included coordinating the editing and
publishing of “Management of Park and Recreation Agencies” 3rd Edition.
She has visited many agencies seeking accreditation during her terms on CAPRA and
during retirement.
Sandra was a Senior Fellow, Eppley Institute for Parks and
Public Lands, Indiana University helping park, recreation and public land
organizations with academic expertise as well as real-world experiences.
During her career she is most proud of being the lead agency
in the development of Alexandria’s first open space master plan; in cooperation
with the Northbrook school district, bringing before and after care to
Northbrook and forming a public/private arts program in Highland Park, Il.
She has had numerous honors including the Vola Lawson
employee of the year in Alexandria, Va.
and the Shield award by the Delta Gamma Fraternity for her professional
accomplishments.
Since retirement Sandra is a member of the Senior Services
Commission for the Village of Northbrook, Il and is an officer with the
Northbrook Rotary Club. She chairs a committee to bring sustainable gardening
to her townhouse complex as well as other complexes in Northbrook. Besides
gardening she can be found on the golf course several days of the week.
She lives in Northbrook, Il with her husband Daniel
FitzSimmons. They have four grown children and six grandchildren.