DIRECTOR SELECTED FOR FW PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT – Message From The Mayor

I want to offer my congratulations to Steve McDaniel as he’s been appointed as the new director of the Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department effective April 2.

Steve is a 26-year veteran of the Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department. He’s served as deputy director of asset management since 2007. Steve currently oversees the administration of all plans and activities related to the development, utilization, construction and maintenance of 86 parks, more than 135 buildings and hundreds of vehicles and equipment. In addition, he leads the maintenance operation of all City of Fort Wayne trees, playgrounds, aquatic centers, pavilions, athletic facilities, trails and pathways.

As director, Steve will manage an operating budget of over $18 million and a capital budget of nearly $8 million.

From 2005-2007, Steve was manager of project administration and has held the position of project representative. He began his service with the department as an engineering intern. Steve also has experience as an instructor of construction estimating at IPFW.

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Steve is active in the community as a current board member of the Fort Wayne Municipal Building Corp and Trees Indiana and a former board member for the Georgetown Little League. He earned a bachelor’s degree in construction technology from Purdue University, Fort Wayne.

Steve replaces Al Moll. Al recently announced his retirement after serving as director of the Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department since 2005.

Steve is a dedicated public servant with a strong commitment to meeting the needs of residents and visitors. He is uniquely qualified to lead the Parks & Recreation Department. His experience and expertise, work ethic, communication skills and dedication to implementing best practices position him to be an outstanding director.

I also wanted to share with you that the City of Fort Wayne’s Planning & Policy Director, Pam Holocher, was recently named the Indiana Planning Sagamore. The award is the highest honor bestowed on a planner by the American Planning Association Indiana Chapter.

Pam’s planning career spans more than 40 years. She began work for the City in 1978 and has worked in the Community Development Division the entire time. She was promoted to the Director of Planning & Policy in 2004 and remains in that position today.

Under Pam’s direction, the Planning & Policy Department has overseen multiple fiscal policy, redevelopment, comprehensive, strategic and neighborhood plans. She has led the City’s planning efforts for the revitalization of downtown Fort Wayne through the creation of the Downtown Blueprint plans. Pam also took a lead role in developing the first-ever joint Comprehensive Plan for both the City of Fort Wayne and Allen County. And with her guidance, the City was successful in annexing nearly 55 square miles over 35 years and increasing the municipal population by more than 100,000.

This is a well-deserved award. Over the years, Pam has helped make City government more effective and efficient, and her dedication to improving the Fort Wayne community through innovative and inclusive planning is exceptional.