Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect Robert Brent Dennis has withdrawn his name from consideration as a candidate for the City of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department director and City Manager T.C. Broadnax has added Oscar Carmona to the list of finalists.

The Austin community will have the opportunity to meet the three finalists for the Austin Parks and Recreation Department director.

The details

The PARD director oversees department operations, programs, facilities and staff. Finalists for the position include:

• Jesús Aguirre
• Oscar Carmona
• Angela Means

Aguirre has over 25 years of experience in public and non-profit leadership in public education and in the parks and recreation field. Aguirre currently serves as chair of the board for the National Recreation and Parks Association, the chair of the board of the Children and Nature Network and is a member of the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, according to a news release.

Carmona is a parks and recreation executive with over 25 years experience. Carmona most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer for the Hermann Park Conservancy in Houston.

Means has over 25 years of local government administration experience and currently serves as the interim director of the parks department, according to a news release.

How we got here

In May, Kimberly McNeeley, announced her departure from the city as parks director after 14 years to serve as nonprofit The Trail Conservancy's CEO. She started in that position June 10.

Following McNeely’s departure, city executive Means began leading the department as interim director.

Next steps

Community members interested in meeting the finalists can do so Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. at the Conley Guerrero Senior Center, 808 Nile St., Austin.