ROANOKE COUNTY, VA (September 21, 2011) – The Virginia Recreation and Park Society (VRPS) this week presented one of its most prestigious awards to Roanoke County’s longtime Director of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. Pete Haislip received the organization’s Distinguished Service Award during the group’s annual conference in Norfolk. The Distinguished Service Award is presented each year to a VRPS member with at least ten years of experience who has demonstrated leadership and innovation at both the community and regional levels in the parks and recreation field.
Earlier this year, Haislip announced his plans to retire from Roanoke County in March 2012. While Haislip has spent the last 18 years of his career with Roanoke County, he previously worked at the Prince William County Park Authority in northern Virginia. Jim Stutts, CEO of the Virginia Recreation and Parks Society, has known Haislip for more than 35 years. “I can't think of a more deserving person to receive this recognition from his professional colleagues. He's a good friend and an exceptional professional. He's definitely left the parks and recreation field better than when he started.”
The Distinguished Service Award has been presented by the VRPS for the past 40 years. It is one of only two individual honors given by the VRPS each year. Haislip was nominated by the staff of Roanoke County’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department.
During the conference, Roanoke County’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department also received the Best Promotional Effort award for a promo circular or flyer in the 50,000 to 100,000 population category.