Little Rock, AR (3 October 2005) After conducting a national search, City Manager Bruce Moore today announced the selection of Little Rock Parks and Recreation Director Bryan Day to be the next Assistant City Manager .  Day has been serving as Interim Assistant City Manager since March of this year.  He succeeds Bob Turner who retired earlier this year.

“I have worked closely with Bryan since we started at City Hall in the early 1990s,” Moore said.  “With the Bob Turner’s retirement, I began searching for someone who understood the priorities of the Mayor and City Board of Directors as we maintain our commitment to the citizens of Little Rock .  Through his involvement with this office, the Parks Department, and the 2004 Bond program, I knew that Bryan had the unique mix of skills I was seeking.  His leadership, professionalism, and dedication to the City are outstanding.  I look forward to continuing to work with him in this new role.”

            “I am honored to have been asked by Bruce to move into this position on his team,” said Day.  “The City of Little Rock has so much to offer.  Since I joined City Hall, it has been my pleasure to interact with countless citizens on many issues.  I look forward to new challenges and opportunities as we work together to make Little Rock an even better place to live and work.”

            Day, a native of Little Rock , began at City Hall as an administrative operations manager in the City Manager ’s Office.  After serving in administrative positions in that office, he was named Assistant Director of the Parks and Recreation Department in 1996.  In 1999, Day was named Director of Parks and Recreation. 

            Under Day’s leadership, the Parks and Recreation Department achieved national accreditation.  His tenure also saw the adoption of the system’s first comprehensive master plan in over 80 years.  Other achievements include the development of the Arkansas River Trail, the opening of the Stephens Community Center , the creation of a Therapeutic Recreation program, the opening of the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, and the beginning of the Little Rock Marathon.

            Prior to joining the City of Little Rock , Day worked for the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.  He holds both a Bachelor and a Master’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock .  Day and his wife Betsy have two children, Sierra and Spencer.

            Day has been involved in numerous community activities including Boy Scouts, YMCA, and City Year.  He has served on the board of the National Recreation and Parks Association and is past president of the Arkansas Recreation and Parks Association.  Earlier this year, Day was named Outstanding Public Administrator by the UALR Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration.  In 2003, he was elected to the Little Rock School Board.  

            Mark Webre has been serving as Interim Parks and Recreation Director.  He will continue in that role while a nationwide search is conducted to fill the position permanently.