Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe Honors NYC's Greenest Members

Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe joined some of the City's greenest at the 20th Annual Parks & Recreation Awards ceremony on March 11, 2010. Top honors included Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year, the W. Allison & Elizabeth Stubbs Davis Award, the Thomas Stofka Award, Employee of the Year, and the Commissioner's Award.

"We are pleased to honor the Parks Department's best employees in 2009 with our Annual Awards Ceremony," said Commissioner Benepe. "Each award recipient is a dedicated public servant who has demonstrated initiative, spirit, thoughtfulness, and leadership in helping to improve parks and greenspaces for New Yorkers across the city. And for each recipient there are hundreds of other "Parkies" who also work hard every day to make sure our parks are safe, clean and green. Our winners represent them all."

Rookie of the Year
Robin A. Dublin, Administrator of Staten Island Greenbelt

Parks prides itself on being New York City's "green" agency. This year's Rookie of the Year manages one of our greenest and most important natural areas, Staten Island's Greenbelt.

Robin A. Dublin started with Parks on February 23, 2009. She is the Greenbelt Administrator and Executive Director of the Greenbelt Conservancy. She oversees over 2,800 acres of lush green space on Staten Island that includes parks, Forever Wild areas, and 35 miles of trails in the heart of Staten Island. She serves as the bridge between daily operations through Parks and the non-profit support and volunteer community that is critical to the parks' success.

In just a short time, Robin has distinguished herself by expanding public programming, organizing restoration projects and fundraising. She has recognized the need to raise awareness of the Greenbelt and has worked hard to introduce the park to new patrons. She has expanded fun activities such as the adventure race known as the High Rock Challenge. Robin is also protecting the natural beauty and integrity of the Greenbelt. She is leading efforts to combat invasive species and secured a $650,000 grant to support a forest management program.

Robin joined the Parks team with many years of experience in creating educational programming for youth and adults across the country. She helped develop a Citizen Forester program in Washington D.C. and spent 12 years creating wildlife education programs in Alaska. More recently, she has taught conservation education courses at Columbia University. All this experience has served her well at the Greenbelt.

Robin currently resides in Brooklyn and in her spare time, enjoys being outdoors, including hiking and walking her dog. She holds a Masters Degree in Environmental Education from the Lesley College Graduate School and belongs to several environment conservation groups.

Manager of the Year
Lawrence Scoones, Bronx Chief of Operations

Few Parks managers have served as successfully in more roles and locations than this year's Manager of the Year, Larry Scoones.

Larry joined Parks in 1985 as an Urban Park Ranger working in Central Park, Inwood Park and Battery Park. He spent 8 years at the Urban Park Service, rising to Ranger Supervisor, Borough Director and finally Deputy Director for Special Projects. In 1993, Larry made the transition to operations and a new borough, serving as a Principal Park Supervisor in the Bronx. After learning the craft for two years, he returned to Manhattan and spent five years in the parks of North Manhattan.

Larry transitioned into management in January, 1999 as a Parks & Recreation Manager on Manhattan's East Side. In 2000, he was promoted to Deputy Chief of Operations for Staten Island, a move far from home that offered a new perspective on parks. He returned to Manhattan as Deputy Chief in 2002, constantly burnishing his skills. Finally, last year, following the tragic loss of John Bachman, Larry took over as the new Chief of Operations in the Bronx.

Larry Scoones has brought renewed professionalism and seriousness, yet good humor, to Bronx operations. Thanks to his efforts, Bronx condition ratings are steadily improving, and Bronx park ratings are competitive with the other boroughs. Larry is leading a charge to target conditions in traditionally problematic areas, changing staff assignments, and improving use of trades, forestry, and fleet resources.

Larry is also working closely with Capital and local communities as Parks opens new and exciting parks including Concrete Plant Park, Mill Pond Park. The Bronx is in the midst of an extraordinary period of park building, and Larry is ensuring our operations stay in step to maintain it all.

Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, Larry attended Columbia University and studied environmental geography. He did graduate work in environmental education with the Audubon Expedition Institute. Larry and his wife Deanna live in Washington Heights in Manhattan.

W. Allison and Elizabeth Stubbs Davis Award
Gregory Jackson, Manager oF Brownsville Recreation Center

The W. Allison & Elizabeth Stubbs Davis was founded by Parks Commissioner Gordon Davis, in honor of his parents, and recognizes Parkies who show extraordinary dedication to the communities that they serve. This year's recipient is Gregory Jackson, Center Director of the Brownsville Recreation Center in Brooklyn.

Gregory grew up playing in the center and vowed to lead it one day. He joined the Parks family as a Recreation Specialist on June 24, 1986 and true to his word, was promoted to his current post in 1997. Since then, he has helped transform Brownsville Recreation into a beacon of hope in a community that has seen its share of hardship. Under his leadership, the center has played host to world-renowned events and its youth have competed in citywide sports competitions. The center has also been visited by national leaders who have sought to highlight the positive changes achieved at the center.

Gregory's dedication to the community reaches beyond his work to his personal life and free time. Gregory is the Board Chairman of the Reeves Drakeford Brownsville Jets. This youth basketball team was started in the summer of 1965 and looks to provide leadership for young men and women. It places emphasis on sports and academics, and many of its participants have gone on to enjoy success in all walks of life. Former members include professional sports stars, school principals, executives at the World Bank, and well known actors. The Jets also work with local parents, offering guidance and support, and sharing with them a philosophy of education through sports.

Each year, Gregory and the Jets organize the Brownsville Oldtimers Week. This event is held in the park next to the center and includes sporting events, a reunion night, and live entertainment. Oldtimers Week unites the community through fun, games and music. Last year, the wildly popular event drew over 35,000 people.

Gregory's tireless efforts have earned him over 100 awards for his service and he's been called a legend by Borough President Marty Markowitz. His energy and enthusiasm remains as strong as ever. Recently, he became the Director oF Brownsville Common Ground, an organization that seeks to limit homelessness.

Gregory and his wife Carmen have nine children, four boys and five girls, and six grandchildren.

Thomas Stofka Award
Andy R. Rabb, Director of Brooklyn Forestry

The Thomas Stofka Award, now in its fifth year, recognizes Parkies who have dedicated themselves to New York's trees and natural areas. This year's winner is not just a career tree man but is Tom Stofka's successor.

Andy Rabb was a forester from Buffalo when he moved south in 2005 to become Director of Brooklyn Forestry. In the last five years, Andy has brought renewed energy and innovation to the division. Andrew and his staff of 35 work meticulously to ensure the close care and growth of Brooklyn's trees. Each day, they perform inspections, pruning, dead tree removal, and respond to the public's insatiable interest in trees. Andrew leads his staff by example, hard work and focus, and being hands on to help tackle challenging tree projects.

Andy has spearheaded a number of new programs and initiatives. Brooklyn was an original epicenter for the Asian Long Horned Beetle infestation, and Andy has responded by coordinating inspection and prevention efforts to keep the problem under control. Andrew is helping the borough achieve its Million Tree planting goals, while also keeping a close eye on the trees we already have.

When a tornado struck the Sunset Park and Bay Ridge areas in August of 2007, Andrew and his staff worked around the clock to remove branches and clear trees that fell on cars and homes. Their swift response during this unprecedented storm was recognized by many. Andy has since worked many long days dealing with the wind and snow emergencies in the last year. In day to day tree care, special projects, and late night emergencies, Andy has brought the same level of professionalism, efficiency and commitment to his work.

Andrew lives in Brooklyn with his fiancée Amy and looks forward to getting married this August. He holds degrees in Forest Biology and Resource Management from the College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse.

Employee of the Year
Jose A. Maccera, Deputy Director of Information Technology

In the last 15 years, information technology has changed the way we all work and live. Too many of us could not function without our Blackberries, email, and network. At this year's Annual Awards, we recognize the person who keeps that network functioning, behind the scenes, in quiet server rooms, using operations software and technical skills few of us would recognize.

Jose Maccera started at Parks IT in March 2000 as a Network Administrator, troubleshooting various technical problems for Parks staff with their computers or network connectivity. He was promoted to Operations Supervisor in 2003, administering Parks' entire IT network and protecting the email, database, file sharing, personnel, inspection, fleet and other systems that depend on it. In 2009, Jose was promoted to Deputy Director of IT.

As Deputy Director, Jose oversees 20 technicians responsible for network and site administration citywide. This challenging role requires long hours, response to a wide variety of problems, emergencies, and security threats, and deciding which IT products to purchase and implement. Jose has overseen software and hardware upgrades, including successive versions of Microsoft Office.

Jose and his team were also tasked with a large and very complicated initiative, the migration from Novell to Windows Server in 2008 and 2009. This effort changed the way nearly all Parks computer users work and impacted millions of records, including our entire electronic history. Jose oversaw this transition computer by computer, borough by borough, upgrading hardware, software and staff training.

Thanks to his efforts, Parks IT is on a new, more effective platform that will support ever changing and dynamic applications. Jose is a graduate of New York University, and lives in Eastchester with his wife, Nadia and daughter Isabella.

Commissioner's Award
Therese Braddick, Deputy Commissioner for Capital Projects

The winner of this year's Commissioner's Award has spent almost 27 years serving the agency. Rising through the ranks, she has held a variety of posts and is now leading a historic restoration and expansion of New York City's parks.

Therese Braddick started with Parks as an Urban Park Ranger on May 16, 1983. She has since served as Director of the Rangers, Queens Chief of Staff under Commissioner Oliver Spellman, and Director of Development at the City Parks Foundation. At CPF, Therese honed her fundraising skills and learned to navigate the non-profit world. These skills would serve her well in her next role as Director of the Historic House Trust. Therese helped the Trust acquire new properties and improve conservation efforts. She also increased educational programming, finding new ways for the public to learn about the city's many historic sites.

In July of 2008, Therese took this diverse background to Capital Projects, serving as Deputy Commissioner. Now, instead of raising money, she helps us spend it. Overseeing a staff of 481 engineers, landscapers and designers, Therese is spearheading Parks largest modern capital program. Through her leadership, we are building new parks, rebuilding and reimagining older ones, and involving the public in new ways as we design parks. In all, Therese has coordinated $650 million in work so far, resulting in 218 completed projects.

Therese's work is impacting all corners of the City, but a few areas deserve particular mention. The $190 million Croton Initiative is bringing new playgrounds, skate parks and green spaces to the Bronx. She is administering Capital's role in Schoolyards to Playgrounds, which is converting underused school areas into hundreds of redesigned year round facilities. Therese is also involved in the restoration of Coney Island, helping rebuild boardwalks and introducing new park areas through the Steeplechase project.

In addition, Therese is working to change the way the capital division does business. She has convened task forces to streamline the way that work is done and is holding staff to performance targets. Despite many regulatory, budgetary and inter-agency hurdles, projects are going from design to construction at a record pace. Approachable and straightforward, Therese brings a determined but diplomatic approach to interactions with the public, staff, community and elected officials.

A model Parkie and public servant, Therese currently lives in Queens with her husband Robert Banks.