Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent Tim Gallagher has made appointments to four key positions in the organization: recreation director, parks director (all maintenance activities), planning and development director, and deputy planning and development director.

"The broad range of skills in this team of creative thinkers will serve Seattle well as we finalize our five year Strategic Action Plan and begin to implement it," Gallagher said. "We're ready to face the challenges of our changing demographics and recreation and open space needs."

Sue Goodwin is the new recreation director. Goodwin comes to Seattle from her position as the director of recreation and community services in Ontario, Calif. A recreation professional since 1990, she holds a master of arts degree in organizational management, a wealth of recreation training experience, and many awards for excellence in service.

Robb Courtney, formerly the parks and recreation manager in Gresham, Ore., joined Seattle Parks on August 1. Courtney brings 20 years' experience in parks and recreation in California and Oregon, and has managed capital projects, large operating budgets, and collaborative relationships with public and private partners.

Longtime Seattle Parks manager Kevin Stoops is the new planning and development director. Stoops started his career as a planning intern for Parks and Recreation in 1976, earned a master's of urban planning degree in 1981, and has since moved through the ranks as a planner, capital project manager, planning manager, and interim planning and development manager.

Michael Shiosaki rejoined Seattle Parks and Recreation in June as the deputy director of planning and management. Shiosaki, a former member of the Seattle Board of Park Commissioners and former manager of the Pro Parks Levy program, will provide strong support to Parks' acquisition and property development and management functions.