Nate Williams has been selected as the assistant director of the Murfreesboro Parks & Recreation Department. Williams previously served as recreation superintendent since 2011.
Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Director Angela Jackson said, "Nate Williams has been an integral part of the growth and strategic development of the Murfreesboro Parks and Greenway System. Nate's dedication and experience since 2002 has seen him rise through the ranks beginning as a head lifeguard and aquatics coordinator at Sports*Com to recreation superintendent maintaining and managing multiple facilities. I could not be more confident in his background, knowledge and experience to continue advancing our award-winning Parks system."
Since April 2011, Williams has been responsible for coordinating the management and operations of Cannonsburg Village, Wilderness Station, Gateway Island, and Bradley Academy Museum as recreation superintendent. In this role, Williams has been overseen 40 employees and programming at the facilities. His additional responsibilities included oversight of the Murfreesboro Greenway, Barfield Crescent Park, Old Fort Park, Oaklands Park and the Murfreesboro Bark Park.
Williams began his work for the Murfreesboro Parks & Recreation Department and the City of Murfreesboro in June 2002 and became Head Lifeguard supervising lifeguards and ensuring patron safety in 2004. He served as Pool Manager from November 2005 to October 2006 before being appointed as Assistant Aquatics Coordinator and Aquatics Coordinator for Sports*Com and Paterson Park Community Center, a position he held from 2006 to 2011. In April 2011, Williams was named as Recreation Superintendent overseeing multiple Parks facilities.
Williams is a 2008 graduate of Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management from the Jennings A. Jones College of Business. Recognitions include the 2013 recipient of the Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association Wellness Across Tennessee Award, the 2012 Distinguished Professional Award, and the 2010 Longfellow Award.
Williams currently serves as a member of the Murfreesboro Half Marathon Board of Directors, the Uncle Dave Macon Days Festival Board of Directors, the Candle Wishes Foundation Board of Directors and as an elder of River Oaks Community Church. Past service includes serving on the American Red Cross Health and Safety Committee.
The City's park system includes approximately 1,238 acres, 29 sites, 74 buildings and more than $155 million in assets. The Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department has 75 full-time and 275 part-time/seasonal employees with an operating budget of approximately $12.5 million.
The Murfreesboro Parks & Recreation Department has long been considered one of the top departments in the state, annually winning numerous awards from the Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association (TRPA). Other major facilities managed and operated by Parks & Recreation Department include Richard Siegel Soccer Park, Adams Tennis Complex, and the soon to open Miracle Field, a custom field for children with special needs under construction at McKnight Park.
Director Angela Jackson had served as interim director before being named as director in December 2016 following the retirement of long-time director Lanny Goodwin. Prior to being named interim director, Jackson had served as assistant director for the department for 6 years. Williams' appointment as assistant director is effective January 9, 2017.
