Charleston County Parks names new executive director

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Charleston Parks and Recreation will have a new leader effective July 1.

The Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission has appointed Associate Executive Director Kevin Bowie as the new executive director, according to a CCPRC news release.

Bowie will replace the retiring David Bennett, who will serve as an adviser, special project manager and the executive director of the Charleston County Parks Foundation over the next 24 months to ensure a smooth transition, the release stated.

Bennett has had a long employment history with CCPRC since starting with the agency over 35 years ago, according to the release. A Charleston native, Bennett graduated from Mars Hill College.

Throughout his career, Bennett has been involved in a variety of professional and community organizations, serving on the following boards, according to the release: the National Recreation and Park Association, the South Carolina Recreation and Park Association, the Cooper River Bridge Run, James Island Charter High School, the Charleston Area Children’s Garden Project, the Charleston Heritage Education Forum, the Charleston County Greenbelt Project’s Urban Grants Review Committee, Family Corps, the Bishop Gadsden Trustees and the Wallingford Presbyterian Church Trustees.

Bowie was also born and raised in Charleston, according to the release. He began his career with CCPRC in 1986 at Palmetto Islands County Park, where he worked part time for five years. In 1991, Bowie was selected as the assistant park manager at Palmetto Islands County Park and was promoted to James Island County Park manager in 1994. In 1998, Bowie became assistant director of operations, then became director of operations in 2008, superintendent of administrative services in 2010, superintendent of general services in 2014, and associate executive director in 2016. Bowie has a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the College of Charleston.

“I am honored to be the next executive director of the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission,” said Bowie in the relesae. “As I reflect on my 36 years with this agency, it is incredible to see how CCPRC has grown and expanded into the diverse organization we are today. At the heart of our work is the CCPRC staff, who bring a five-star level of commitment and service to everything they do.

“I am dedicated to working with our staff and the community to uphold our agency’s mission to improve the quality of life in Charleston County.”