Leadership qualities are not really something we are born with. It is a position of trust that we earn through dedication, setting an example, and keeping our word. This is especially true for the aquatics world. While there are plenty of resources out there that will tell you what to do, this course is designed to help you identify certain traps to avoid falling into because you have a position of power.
Paul Blake has worked in the field of Recreation and Parks since 1971, beginning as a part-time Recreation Attendant, and holding numerous jobs through the years, including as Superintendent of Recreation in the Village of Garden City from 1994 to early 2001.
After leaving Garden City in 2001, Paul worked for the Town of North Hempstead as a Deputy Commissioner of Parks. He held this title until he took retirement in 2010.
Paul operated a successful training and consulting firm, teaching CPO and doing consulting work from 2010 until spring of 2019, when he was hired as a consultant by Garden City to assist in the operation of the Recreation Department while a new Parks Commissioner was sought.
After several months as a consultant, Paul was encouraged to apply for the Parks Commissioner job, and after an extensive search and interview procedure, was hired as the Commissioner in October of 2019. Back where it all started as a 17-year-old kid working in the local neighborhood park.