Don Cochran is the Deputy Director of the Montgomery County Park and Planning Department, of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a position he began in 2002. Prior to that time, Don served as Director of Montgomery County Parks for 18 years. He is a graduate of Southern Illinois University with a B.S. in Recreation Administration and has a Master's degree in Park and Recreation Administration from the University of Illinois. He continued his education through the Executive Development Program at Indiana University, and completed the Minnesota Management Institute at the University of Minnesota.
Prior to joining the M-NCPPC, Don was with the Hennepin County Park Reserve District, in Minnesota for approximately 18 years. He has been an active member of the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (APRS) since 1985. He also served on the APRS Board of Directors; was a member of the Charter Committee that originated the current NRPA Accreditation Program (CAPRA); and served as a member, and later as Chair, of the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies. Don continues to serve on that Commission as a representative for the National Association of Counties, Park and Recreation Officials, for which he serves on the Board of Directors.