New BREC superintendent by July
Three finalists will interview, meet locals before one is picked to run the parks system.
BREC is close to naming three finalists for its top job, and commission Chairman Mike Polito says all three are "exceptional" candidates. The next superintendent will be under pressure to improve basics while also navigating larger fights over the future of the parks system.
The details: Since Corey Wilson decided not to seek a new contract last year, Janet Simmons has served as interim superintendent and is widely seen as having steadied the agency. She has taken on some difficult problems, including improving park upkeep.
BREC launched a national search for a permanent superintendent this year. Mike Polito, chair of the commission, told RedEye earlier last month that BREC was prepared to pay $300,000 or more to land a high-achieving leader, someone in the mold of Ron Forman, the longtime executive who built New Orleans Audubon Nature Institute into a regional asset.
Yesterday, Polito said about 60 people applied for the BREC job. A group of commissioners, working with staff, first narrowed the field to about 12, then to six serious contenders, and now is close to cutting it to three finalists.
He would not name the candidates, but said all three are strong. “I really do think that we will narrow it down to three exceptional executives.”
The backdrop: The back-and-forth over the future of City Park has not scared off candidates, Polito said. “Controversy to these candidates is 24/7.”
What’s next: The finalists will come to Baton Rouge for interviews and meetings with local groups. Polito said he expects the new superintendent to be on the job in July.
