Tuscaloosa County PARA Executive Director Brian Davis To Retire In 2027

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Tuscaloosa County Park & Recreation Authority (PARA) Executive Director Brian Davis has confirmed he will retire early next year.

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"I have loved my time in this role and love the people of Tuscaloosa County," Davis told Patch. "It got in my blood as a student 36 years ago."

Davis announced his decision in an email to PARA employees.

“I’m sure some of you have already heard, but I wanted everyone at PARA to hear directly from me that I have made the decision to retire effective February 1, 2027,” Davis wrote.

Davis acknowledged that the decision was a difficult one and said he was proud of PARA's accomplishments during his tenure, while emphasizing the relationships he developed with employees.

“This was not an easy decision,” Davis said. “I am incredibly proud to have served as your CEO and, even more importantly, to have been part of the PARA family.”

As Patch previously reported, Davis was hired by the PARA Board of Directors in March 2023 and officially took over as executive director and CEO that April.

He succeeded longtime Executive Director Gary Minor, who retired at the end of 2022 after more than a decade leading the agency.

Davis became the fourth executive director in PARA's history, dating back to its establishment in 1979.

Before coming to Tuscaloosa County, Davis served as director of engineering and public works for the City of Vestavia Hills and previously spent years as the city's parks and recreation director.

His résumé also included recreation and sports leadership positions at Samford University, Loyola University New Orleans and the University of West Florida.

At the time of his hiring, PARA officials pointed to Davis' more than two decades of experience in parks and recreation, sports and municipal government as qualifications for the position.

In his retirement announcement, Davis credited PARA employees with the organization's work over the last several years.

“This is a special organization because of the people who come to work every day committed to serving others and making our community a better place,” Davis wrote. “Over the past few years, we have accomplished a lot together, worked through some challenges, and continued to move PARA forward.”

Davis said he intends to remain fully engaged during his remaining months with the agency and work to ensure a smooth leadership transition.

“We still have several months together, and I intend to finish strong,” Davis said. “My commitment to PARA will not change, and I will do everything I can to help make the transition successful and leave PARA positioned for an exciting future.”

Davis closed the message by thanking employees and calling his time with PARA “one of the great privileges of my career.”

Additional details regarding PARA's process and timeline for selecting Davis' successor have not been made public at this time.

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