After 49 years serving the Winchester community, Lynn Miller, the City’s current Parks and Recreation Director, is retiring at the end of January.
Mr. Miller began his career with the City as a firefighter with Winchester Fire and Rescue in 1971 and worked his way up to Chief. After 34 years with the Fire and Rescue Department, he retired but took on the part-time roll as the City’s Emergency Management Coordinator. Mr. Miller was appointed the interim Parks and Recreation Director in May 2015 to fill the vacancy until a new director could be hired while continuing to handle the City’s emergency management response and planning. After the first search for a qualified candidate was unsuccessful, Mr. Miller volunteered to stay on as interim for nine months to provide some stability and to finish some projects he started. After completing the nine months, he had found a new passion in Parks and Recreation management and agreed to take on the roll permanently in April 2016.
“I’ve been privileged and proud to serve our community and be able to work with so many kind and professional staff and elected officials for nearly five decades,” said Mr. Miller, “But what I’ve enjoyed the most is watching some of our younger City staff grow and advance in the organization.”
Some proud moments or major accomplishments completed during his tenure:
- Public Safety Radio Communications System installation
- Full-scale Active Shooter Exercises (2008 & 2015)
- Instrumental in the design and construction of the Timbrook Public Safety Center
- Shenandoah University MOA for renovation and management of some Jim Barnett Park fields
- Establishing partnerships between Winchester Parks and Recreation and local organizations
“Lynn’s professionalism and dedication to both public service and the City of Winchester is something to be honored and admired. His infectious personality and vast knowledge is not easily replaced and he will be greatly missed,” stated Dan Hoffman, City Manager.
