Hi, I’m
Rodney Franklin
State Parks Director
Austin,Texas
Summary
Dedicated parks, recreation, and conservation professional with 33 years of experience who excels in project and personnel management, building relationships and program coordination. Strong leadership and organizational skills.
Overview
33
years of professional experience
1
Certification
Work History
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Texas State Parks Director
08.2018 - Current
Job overview
- Responsible for providing executive leadership, direction and oversight for the State Parks Division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
- Influenced policy changes aimed at preserving natural habitats within managed parks through collaboration with conservation experts.
- Managed budgets, ensuring the efficient allocation of resources for optimal park maintenance and operations.
- Developed partnerships with external stakeholders and suppliers to obtain quality products and services.
- Increased Park usage through centennial marketing initiatives and community outreach efforts.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Texas State Parks Deputy Director
01.2017 - 01.2018
Job overview
- Responsible for the supervision of the division’s programs and assisted with the overall management, planning and direction of day-to-day State Park operations.
- Led team of 14 Park Support professionals in special projects and daily operations.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Region 5 Director
09.2009 - 08.2017
Job overview
- Primarily responsible for supervising, directing, and managing the overall day-to-day operations and planning of 17 Texas State Parks.
- Conducted comprehensive audits of regional operations to identify inefficiencies, risks, or compliance issues requiring attention or intervention.
- Evaluated employee performance using objective metrics to inform promotions, incentives, or corrective actions as needed.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Park Manager II-Complex Superintendent
01.2001 - 01.2009
Job overview
- Responsible for directing overall operation and maintenance of Cooper Lake Complex (South Sulphur unit and Doctors Creek unit).
- Conducted ongoing evaluations of facility conditions, prioritizing repairs based on public safety and available resources.
- Established strong community partnerships to foster collaboration on local conservation efforts.
- Managed budgets effectively, ensuring optimal allocation of funds towards essential park operations.
Education
Texas A&M University , College Station, Texas
Bachelor of Arts from Political Science
Skills
- Community Engagement
- Facility Management
- Facility Maintenance
- Park Maintenance
- Recreation Programming
- Volunteer Management
- Partnership Building
- Environmental Stewardship
Certification
- Archeological Field Monitoring Certification
- Communications Skills training for Conservation Professionals
- Master Peace Officer
Accomplishments
- Chair National State Park Leadership School
- First Class TPWD Natural Leaders program
- TPWD Senior Leadership Program 2016 Facilitative Leadership training
- Center for Creative Leadership Foundations of Leadership
- Vice President National Association State Park Directors
- Team Lead of State Parks Division Fiscal Control
- TTA Heritage Award
- TPWD Diversity and Inclusion Committee
- National Conservation Leadership Alumni
Affiliations
- National Association of State Park Directors
- National State Parks Leadership School
- National Conservation Leadership Institute
- Texas America 250 Commission
Timeline
Texas State Parks Director
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
08.2018 - Current
Texas State Parks Deputy Director
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
01.2017 - 01.2018
Region 5 Director
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
09.2009 - 08.2017
Park Manager II-Complex Superintendent
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
01.2001 - 01.2009
Texas A&M University
Bachelor of Arts from Political Science
- Archeological Field Monitoring Certification
- Communications Skills training for Conservation Professionals
- Master Peace Officer
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