PARA Hires Brian Davis As Agency's New Executive Director

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Tuscaloosa County Park & Recreation Authority Board of Directors has officially hired Brian C. Davis as executive director and CEO during its board meeting Tuesday.

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Davis currently serves as director of engineering and public works for the City of Vestavia Hills and previously served as the long-time director of Parks and Recreation for the city.

As Patch previously reported, longtime PARA Executive Director Gary Minor retired at the end of the last calendar year after serving more than a decade in the position.

“Our community is fortunate to have been represented by the exceptional search committee of area stakeholders who identified Brian Davis as a top candidate for the executive director position,” Board Chairman Tony Johnson said. “Brian brings more than two decades of parks and recreation, sport, and municipal experience to this role, and his leadership will be pivotal in redefining PARA’s mission and vision for Tuscaloosa County and its partnering cities.”

Davis will serve as PARA’s fourth executive director since the agency was established in 1979.

“I am honored to be chosen as the next executive Director for PARA,” Davis said. “I am excited to work with the Board of Directors and staff to create a vision for service to all of the community. PARA has a great reputation, and I look forward to carrying the torch that has been handed to me.”

Along with his work in Vestavia Hills, Davis worked in key recreation and sports leadership and management roles at Samford University, Loyola University New Orleans, and the University of West Florida.

Davis also previously served as an assistant basketball coach and a long-time sports official in several athletic conferences and leagues, including the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the American Athletic Conference, the Ohio Valley Conference, the Gulf South Conference and the Professional Indoor Football League.

Davis will assume his new role on April 17.

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