Join Chris Nunes and the RecLess Podcast crew for a dynamic look back at 2025 — and a forward-thinking roadmap for 2026. We'll examine the year’s biggest challenges, celebrate innovation and success, and together envision how to meet evolving community needs in the year ahead.
In this webinar you’ll discover:
- Lessons learned from 2025 — Insightful reflections on what worked, what didn’t, and what we learned across the parks and rec industry last year.
- Celebrating collective success — A look back at significant wins, innovations, and community impact achieved by agencies, leaders, and practitioners in 2025.
- Positioning your organization for 2026 — Identify the trends, opportunities, and strategies that will matter most this coming year.
Meet the Speakers
Chris Nunes
Chief Operating Officer - Woodlands Township, Texas
Chris manages a vast area including 151 parks, 14 pools, and extensive pathways with a $50+ million budget, improving facilities and programming without adding staff. He's enhanced business strategies, contributing to a 200% increase in programs.An experienced speaker, he's conducted 500+ sessions nationwide on various park and recreation topics and co-authored a section in a prominent industry textbook. A Certified Parks and Recreation Executive, he serves on the CAPRA and holds advanced degrees in Recreation and Sports Management, and a Doctorate in Parks and Recreation Administration.
Shane Mize
Director of Parks and Recreation - City of Pflugerville, Texas
Shane Mize is the Director of Parks and Recreation in the city of Pflugerville, Texas, where he resides with his wife and children.For every agency he has served, he has excelled in innovation. Most recently, he has led the charge in facilitating Pflugerville’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan process which included a “think tank” component, considering not only local trends and data, but information from state and nation-wide leaders and agencies. In addition to a number of volunteer and leadership service, Shane is one of the originators and second-ever Chair of the NRPA's Young Professional Network and past recipient of the NRPA Robert W. Crawford Young Professional Award.
Jay Tryon
Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation - City of Concord, NC
Jay Tryon is an 18 year park and recreation professional who loves to improve communities and their quality of life.Professional development and mentorship are at the core of Jay’s professional values as he strives to increase productivity levels and the satisfaction of both residents and colleagues. With a results-oriented mindset, he comes with a wide variety of experience including administration, events, programming, and athletics. He has served on numerous committees and in leadership roles including the NRPA Awards Committee, the NRPA YPN Chair, the CAPRA Commission, the NRPA Conference Program Committee, and serving as a Regent for NRPA’s Supervisors’ Management School. Jay is also a regular presenter at a variety of state and national conferences.
Tom Venniro
Director of Parks & Recreation - Hilton-Parma, NY
Tom is a recognized speaker, writer, podcast host, mentor, and adjunct lecturer in the field of parks, recreation, and leisure studies. He has presented at national, state, and regional conferences, workshops, and webinars, and has published several articles in industry magazines and newsletters. He is a past recipient of the NRPA Robert W. Crawford Young Professional Award and a past president of the NY Recreation and Park Society. Tom's mission is to enhance the quality of life for his community and the profession and to champion a culture of excellence, service, and brand identity. Serving as the Director for Hilton-Parma Parks and Recreation since 2014, Tom leverages his passion and experience while overseeing the operations, budget, and programming of a department that serves thousands of residents and visitors annually.