New Director Named for NH
Division of Parks and RecreationState of
New Hampshire
Department of Resources and Economic Development
DIVISION of PARKS and RECREATION
172 Pembroke Rd, PO Box 1856 Concord NH 03302-1856
Phone: 603/271-3556 Fax: 603/271-3553 E-Mail: abassett@dred.state.nh.us
Contact: Amy Bassett, Public Information & Outreach Specialist
For Immediate Release
New Director Named for NH Division of Parks & Recreation
(Concord, NH) In today's Governor and Council meeting at the State
House, the Council unanimously confirmed the Governor's nomination for
the Director of the Division of Parks and Recreation. Ted Austin of
Norwich, VT will be taking over the position immediately.
Mr. Austin brings to the Division an extensive background in outdoor
recreation, with strong operational and financial management skills and
a degree in Political Science. Most recently Mr. Austin was the Senior
Vice President of Operations and Business Development for Booth Creek
Management Corporation.
The director's position has been vacant since September, when Allison
McLean left the job for the private sector. Department of Resources and
Economic Development Commissioner George Bald performed an extensive
search and thorough interview process to fill this important position.
"Ted's broad management experience and passion for recreation will be a
positive turn for the Division," stated Bald. "The Division of Parks and
Recreation is a major asset for the state and its residents, so the
right fit for the position was crucial."
Mr. Austin says about his new role, "I have much to learn in assuming
the position, and am eager to take on the challenge and serve the people
of New Hampshire. I have always enjoyed packaging outdoor experiences
and creating memories for children and families to a productive end."
The New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation is part of the
Department of Resources and Economic Development. The Division is
comprised of the Bureau of Parks, Bureau of Trails, Bureau of Historic
Sites, and Cannon Mountain.
For information about the division, visit www.nhstateparks.org or call
603/271-3556.
Biography
Ted Austin
is the Director of the New Hampshire
Division of Parks and Recreation effective December 2008. Austin previously
was the Senior Vice President of Operations and Business Development for the
Booth Creek Management Corporation at Grand Targhee Resort in Alta Wyoming.
. Prior to that, he was the Vice President and General Manager of Cranmore
Mountain Resort, North Conway New Hampshire, for Booth Creek Ski Holdings,
Inc.
In his current job,
Austin oversees a division comprised of the state’s Bureau of Parks, Bureau
of Trails, Bureau of Historic Sites, and Cannon Mountain. The Division also
has numerous partnerships, friends groups and associations that require
Austin’s involvement.
In his past positions, Austin has
successfully developed and managed operating budgets of $3.5M, revenues of
$10M and was accountable for delegation of day-to-day management of
individual department budgets. He oversaw planning and execution of
capital projects, to include facility construction and improvement projects,
outdoor event program planning, and ongoing outdoor business development
programs. He led strategic and business planning functions when the resort
was re-positioned as a major resort destination in the Wyoming Teton Range.
Austin supervised a permanent management staff of 55 and fluctuating
seasonal staff of up to 450.
Ted graduated in 1982
from Trinity College with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science. He also
received Executive Education in Financial Management from the Darden School
of Business at the University of Virginia in 2000. Ted has been on several
Boards for different non-profit organizations over his career. He enjoys
back country skiing, climbing, biking, and photography. Ted lives in
Norwich, Vermont with his wife, Martha Austin and their children, Conor (12)
and Emma (6).