2025 Board of Directors


ANGIE SIMS, CPRP, CPP | CHAIR

James City County Parks & Recreation
757-259-5403
angie.sims@jamescitycountyva.gov

THURMAN DIAMOND |CHAIR-Elect

Chesapeake Parks, Recreation & Tourism
757-382-6411
TDiamond@cityofchesapeake.net

Angela Hollingsworth | Treasurer

City of Portsmouth Parks & Recreation
757-393-8340
hollingsworth@portsmouthva.gov

Elizabeth Linthicum | Education Chair

Portsmouth Parks & Recreation
757-399-8481
linthicume@portsmouth.gov

Tamara bullock, MPA, CPRP | SECRETARY

Hampton Parks & Recreation
757-727-8319
tamara.bullock@hampton.gov

Sarah O'Reilly, CPRP | Communications Chair

James City County Parks & Recreation
757-259-4022
sarah.oreilly@jamescitycountyva.gov

Nakiesha Bridgers | member-at-Large

Chesapeake Parks, Recreation & Tourism
757-879-5834
nbridgers@cityofchesapeake.net

Ryan Gregory | Immediate Past Chair

Newport News Parks & Recreation
757-926-1448
gregoryrf@nnva.gov

James Mickle, CPRP, CPSI | BOARD LIAISON

BerryDunn

757-535-1942
james.mickle@berrydunn.com
 


 

Summer Survival is back for 2025! Calling all Superheroes!

Calling all Superheroes! The Eastern Service Area is proud to announce that registration is open for the 2025 Summer Survival. This training is intended for professionals who program, operate, oversee and engage with youth in a summer camp setting. Topic areas may include leadership, gym games, arts and crafts, outdoor programming and more! This training is open to all VRPS members and we welcome all levels of professionals including management, full-time and part-time staff.

Location | Brittingham-Midtown Community Center (Newport News, VA)
Time | 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Price | $35 (includes Lunch)

Call for speakers! If you are interested in speaking or have staff who may be interested in offering an educational session for topics including games, field trips, marketing, teambuilding, DEI, teens, etc. please click here for the proposal form or email linthicum@portsmouth.va for information. Click HERE for the speaker proposal form. 

2025 VRPS ESA Work Plan Goals

  1. Increase involvement of current ESA members by partnering with and participating in more projects and VRPS events
  2. Increase membership by identifying strategic ways to increase numbers, connecting with local universities and colleges and plan a spring and fall social event for ESA localities
  3. Increase communication to new members through a new member welcome packet and welcome email along with a visual online presence of current offerings. 
  4. Increase revenue by hosting Summer Survival, offer CEU Lunch & Learn twice a year and to create a municipality tournament

Vision

To broaden and strengthen the knowledge, influence and diversity of the Eastern Service Area through effective communication, continuous partnerships, responsive services and by increasing membership agency support.

Mission

To unite all Eastern Service Area members, professionals, students, and interested parties in the parks, recreation and leisure service field and provide the opportunity for networking, leadership, new and innovative training, education, scholarships and volunteerism, while fulfilling the mission of VRPS.

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  Future Meeting Dates | 2 p.m.

1.14.25 | Board Meeting
3.11.22 | Board Meeting

Meeting Agendas & Minutes