Westminster, MD, Tuesday, October 17, 2023 – The Carroll County Board of Commissioners is pleased to introduce Robert “Bob” Hicks as the new Director of the Carroll County Department of Recreation and Parks. Mr. Hicks will join the county in his new role on October 26, 2023.

Mr. Hicks is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional with over 34 years of increasingly responsible parks and recreation experience in Maryland county governments. Director Hicks is accountable for leading, directing and managing all aspects of initiatives, programs, services, staff, and budgets of the Department of Recreation and Park as well as developing and implementing policies and procedures. As director, he is responsible for oversight of both the Bureau of Recreation and Bureau of Parks.

“I am truly honored and humbled to be appointed Director of the Carroll County Department of Recreation and Parks.  I look forward to serving the citizens of Carroll County and supporting the daily work of our dedicated recreation and parks staff,” said Mr. Hicks.

Mr. Hicks’ experience began in high school where he advanced from a seasonal maintenance worker and contact station attendant to a seasonal ranger and then park ranger with the Maryland Park Service. After graduating from college, he began in a middle management level position as a park ranger for Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks followed by promotions to a recreation and parks facility superintendent and the supervisor of cultural resources division. Since 2008, Mr. Hicks served as deputy director for Frederick County Division of Parks and Recreation where he directed and administered parks and recreational facilities, programs, and properties. These positions included responsibilities for park master planning and development, project management, land acquisition, capital development and the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), operational and capital budgets, contract and grant planning and management, as well as management and supervision of daily operations and staff.

Mr. Hicks earned an Associate of Arts degree in Recreation and Parks from Catonsville Community College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation and Parks from University of Baltimore. His credentials also include being a Directors School Graduate from the National Recreation and Park Association and a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP).  

Mr. Hicks was born and raised in the Catonsville area of Baltimore County and has been a resident of Carroll County since 2006 where he resides with his wife, two children, a dog, and a horse. He is an Eagle Scout who is an avid coin collector, enjoys outdoors activities including hiking and camping, and spending time with his family.

“We can’t wait to welcome Bob to the county leadership team and anticipate that his skills and expertise will greatly benefit our recreation and parks department.  He is already well versed and knowledgeable regarding regional and state initiatives and very familiar with the stakeholders and resources necessary for a successful program,” said Ed Rothstein, President of the Board of County Commissioners. “We recognize the benefits and significance of parks and recreation for our community and Bob brings impressive accomplishments to the county as well as a lifelong commitment to parks and recreation. We believe he will bring his wealth of experience to smoothly transition to our county and are pleased to have him join our organization.”