Michael J. Kalvort is a nationally recognized parks and
recreation executive and consultant with more than 25 years of leadership
experience guiding award-winning municipal agencies and
advancing the profession nationwide. Through his consulting practice, Michael
Kalvort & Associates, LLC, he advises communities across the country on
strategic planning, operational analysis, accreditation readiness, and
sustainable development.
Michael has directed large, multi-functional
departments in Virginia Beach, VA; Boca Raton, FL; Chesapeake, VA; and Cape
Coral, FL, overseeing budgets exceeding $70 million and teams of more than
1,400 professionals. As Director in Virginia Beach, he led the design and
launch of three state-of-the-art recreation centers, each over
70,000 square feet, and collaborated with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to
deliver the Brock Environmental Center—one of the
world’s most energy-efficient
public buildings. In Boca Raton, he transformed a long-vacant site
into a vibrant urban park through extensive community engagement, while also
expanding library services and modernizing financial systems. Across his
career, Michael has consistently increased revenue, innovated facilities and
programs, improved operational efficiency, and delivered capital projects that
enhance community wellness and sustainability.
His professional service includes roles as an AAPRA
Executive Board Member, CAPRA Executive Board Commissioner, and Chair of NRPA’s
Revenue Development and Management School and Leadership Development Network.
He was among the first professionals to earn the CPRE credential and
contributed to the NRPA Award-winning CAPRA Reimagining Team in
2023. His contributions have been recognized with national honors, including
the NRPA Nationwide Award (2024) and the AAPRA President’s
Award (2025).
A lifelong learner and mentor, Michael is deeply committed
to cultivating the next generation of parks and recreation leaders. His
enduring dedication to mentorship and innovation ensures that the profession
continues to thrive and adapt to meet the evolving needs of communities. He
remains ever grateful to the mentors who guided him throughout his career.
In his free time, Michael enjoys playing guitar, cheering on
his Florida Gators, and visiting Disney World. While his professional career
has centered on recreation, his favorite parks remain the Magic Kingdom and
Epcot Center, where he first developed his love for parks and recreation as a
child.
Updated 2026