Tim Herd is the CEO of the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society (PRPS), the statewide professional association for those who work or volunteer in parks and recreation, providing industry leadership, professional development, advocacy, and resources.
He is a Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE), and has been nationally recognized by the Take Pride in America Awards Program for his “commitment and exceptional contributions to the stewardship of America’s natural and cultural resources.”
Chief accomplishments in the field of recreation and parks include:
- Originator of the first statewide Park and Recreation Professionals Day in 2019. In 2020, NRPA elevated the model to the national level for an annual third Friday of July observance.
- Established the People, Parks and Community Foundation, and now serves as its Executive Director. Board member of the National Association of Park Foundations.
- Team Leader of the Good For You, Good For All statewide marketing and branding campaign for Pennsylvania parks and recreation.
- Founder of the PRPS Leadership Development Academy; Team Leader of the Pennsylvania Recreation and Conservation Leadership Summit. Editor of the Summit's five whitepapers.
- Developed and instituted statewide Preschool Recreation Protocol; testified before House and Senate Committees on preschool recreation.
- Team Leader for the development of The Park Maintenance Institute.
- Team Leader, PRPS Governmental Affairs Committee, PA Registered Lobbyist. Organizer of the bipartisan, bicameral Park and Recreation Caucus in the PA General Assembly.
- Commissioned state level white paper with strategies to advance the ideals of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice. Diversity + Inclusion Task Force member.
- Developed Recreation & Park Facility Reopening Guidelines during the pandemic shutdown: consulted by the PA Governor's Office to develop Commonwealth guidelines.
Tim is an award-winning writer and broadcaster, and the author of seven books and countless published articles, features, and serial columns on leadership development, the benefits of parks, and connecting to nature. He is married to Carol for more than four decades, and boasts of four grown and accomplished children.