Advisory Board Bios

Kathy J. Spangler is with the National Recreation and Park Association in Ashburn, Virginia. Since graduating with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine at Presque Isle in 1979, Spangler has worked in the park and recreation profession. During her tenure with NRPA, Kathy has served in a variety of capacities including Fitness and Wellness Director, American Park and Recreation Society staff liaison, Marketing Director, and National Partnerships Director. She spearheaded the creation of a national programs department in 1998 and has been responsible for advancing NRPA’s external partnership and public visibility profile including the landmark campaign Healthy Lifestyles, Livable Communities…It Starts In Parks! featured in Sports Illustrated and Fitness Magazine.

Kathy has been particularly active in the area of health promotion and has been responsible for NRPA being awarded two Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cooperative agreements and two National Institutes of Health grants.

Kathy is active at the national level and has received numerous accolades from state and national organizations during her career. The University of Maine at Presque Isle conferred an honorary doctorate in 2004 and recognized Kathy as Alumni of the Year in 1998. She sits on the board of the National Association for Accessible Golf; USA Coaches Coalition; and Nickelodeon’s Let’s Just Play. She has been recognized by the Maryland Recreation and Parks Association with their Citation Award (1999); American Park and Recreation Society Partnership Award (1998), Special Citation (1997) and Outstanding Service Award (1995); District of Columbia Recreation and Park Society Special Commendation (1994); Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society Recreation Friend Award (1994); America the Beautiful Award (1992); Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association Citation Award (1989); Outstanding Young Women in America (1987); New Hampshire Recreation and Park Association Special Recognition Award (1987); Dorothy Mullen Arts and Humanities Award (1985); and the New Hampshire Business and Professional Women’s Club Young Career Woman of the Year Award (1980).