LEONARDTOWN, MD – The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County are pleased to announce the appointment of Ray Bivens as the new Director of the Department of Recreation & Parks. Mr. Bivens, a highly respected leader in parks and recreation, brings over 30 years of experience to the role and will officially begin his duties on January 27, 2025.
Mr. Bivens started his career in the Maryland Conservation Corps as a teenager, sparking a lifelong commitment to natural resources and recreation management. Over the years, he has held key roles with the Maryland Park Service, Patuxent and Western Maryland 4-H Centers, Allegany County Board of Education, and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Division of Parks and Recreation.
Since 2013, Mr. Bivens has served as the Director of Delaware State Parks, where he managed more than 26,000 acres of parkland, a $55 million annual budget, and a workforce of over 700 employees. His tenure is marked by numerous achievements, including leading Delaware State Parks to win the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) Gold Medal Award twice, a distinction recognizing the best-managed park systems in the country.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ray Bivens to St. Mary’s County,” said Commissioner President Randy Guy. “His exceptional leadership, dedication to innovation, and proven commitment to community engagement make him the ideal candidate to lead our Department of Recreation & Parks.”
Mr. Bivens has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the 2021 State Park Director of the Year and the National Association of State Park Directors Distinguished Service Award. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Parks and Recreation Administration and currently serves as Chair-Elect of the NRPA Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies.
“I am both humbled and honored to be selected to serve in this position,” Mr. Bivens said. “St. Mary’s County has a very strong recreation and parks program, and I look forward to working with community members, staff, and Commissioners to help make our system the best park system in Maryland.”
Mr. Bivens earned a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management from Frostburg State University and a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from Wilmington University. He is also an adjunct graduate professor at Clemson University and an Honorary Commander for Dover Air Force Base.
For additional information on this announcement, visit St. Mary’s County Government website.
