Mark McHenry is the current director of the Kansas City, Missouri parks and recreation department. He received his Bachelor of Science in Park Administration from Texas Tech University and his Masters of Public Administration from the University of Missouri in Kansas City. He is also a graduate of the Senior Executives Program at Harvard University, the Executive Development Program at Indiana University, and the Management Policies in Local Government Finance program from the International City Managers Association.
McHenry held a variety of parks and recreation management positions before becoming the director for Kansas City parks and recreation. He served as a Park District Manager, the Superintendent of Construction and Development, the Superintendent of Parks Management and the Deputy Director all for the City of Kansas City in Missouri.
McHenry is also a member of several professional organizations including the National Parks and Recreation Association (NRPA) where he has also served as an American Parks and Recreation Society Board Member and a Great Lakes Council Regional Representative; the Missouri Parks and Recreation Association where he previously served as President; the American Society of Public Administration where he served as President of his local chapter and received the 2004 L.P. Cookingham Award; the Southwest Parks and Recreation Training Institute (SWPRTI) where he served as President; and the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) of which he is a member.
McHenry is also involved in his local community as a member of the Heart Forest Board of Directors; the Old Pike Country Club where his serves on the Board of Directors and is also a former President; the Heart of America United Way where he served on the Executive Committee; the Kansas City Consensus where he is a member and past Task Force Representative; and the American Public Works Association of which he is a member.