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The City of New Bern announces the hiring of Kari Warren as Director of Parks & Recreation. Mrs. Warren was selected after a national search for qualified candidates. The announcement was made at last week’s Board of Aldermen meeting.
Mrs. Warren has served as Interim Director of Parks & Recreation since September 2021. She succeeds Foster Hughes, who was appointed as City Manager that same month. She was initially hired by the City in 2015 as a Recreation Program Coordinator. Her position was reclassified in 2018 to Special Projects Coordinator. Then, in 2019, she was promoted to Special Programs & Events Coordinator. Prior to her employment with the City of New Bern, Mrs. Warren worked in the private sector for 10 years as a recreation therapist. She is licensed as a recreational therapist in the State of North Carolina and is also a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification.
After a thorough process to review 93 applications and then to conduct several panel interviews, Mrs. Warren stood out from the other candidates with her education, experience, and service to the City of New Bern. Mrs. Warren has a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Leisure Studies from Mount Olive College and a master’s degree in Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Sports Management from North Carolina State University. She is also a Certified Parks & Recreation Professional (CPRP).
“Mrs. Warren demonstrates excellent leadership skills, fiscal responsibility, and commitment to serving residents and visitors to New Bern,” said Foster Hughes, City Manager. “She brings fresh ideas for special events, seasonal themes, and education and engagement opportunities for all ages. We are looking forward to expanding programming within the department and enhancing Parks & Recreation amenities in New Bern under her leadership.”
Mrs. Warren is a member of the National Recreation & Park Association as well as the North Carolina Recreation & Park Association. She will lead a nationally accredited department with a staff of 30 employees and a department budget of approximately $4 million.
Mrs. Warren’s promotion was effective on November 27th. Her annual salary will be $111,868.