As Director of San Diego County Parks and Recreation from 2002 to 2009, Renee Bahl gained a wealth of experience, preparing her for the rigors of her current position as Executive Director of Arizona State Parks. Ms. Bahl oversaw the County department’s 200 full-time and 100 seasonal employees, and presided over a $25 million operating budget. Welcoming 4 million visitors a year to over 100 park facilities, including camp sites, day use areas, and community centers, Renee Bahl managed 44 thousand acres of park and habitat land and 300 miles of hiking trails. Securing the majority of funding through grants, Renee Bahl acquired over 8,000 acres of parkland within San Diego County. She also managed the recovery of 15 thousand acres and over 20 facilities following the Cedar and Paradise wildfires of 2003. Collaborating directly with the County’s Board of Supervisors and Parks Advisory Committee, Ms. Bahl opened several new park facilities, from sports fields to nature preserves. Renee Bahl oversaw the design of the trail and habitat plans, including a detailed environmental impact analysis, for the Tijuana River Valley Regional Park and Otay Valley Regional Park; she also directed the development of the master plan for the San Luis Rey River Park. Renee Bahl implemented the Multiple Species Conservation Program in San Diego County, ensuring the preservation of a wide network of diverse habitats and open space. Evidencing a diverse skill set, Ms. Bahl created an award-winning online reservation system for campgrounds, and spearheaded the development of the department’s new marketing arm. In 2005, the National Recreation and Park Association named Renee Bahl’s department among the finalists for the Gold Medal Award, which recognizes agencies’ excellence in long-range planning, resource management, and improving the quality of life of the local community. In 2009, the Arizona State Parks Board unanimously selected Renee Bahl to assume the leadership of the state parks system. As Executive Director, Ms. Bahl meets regularly with state legislators and other elected officials to protect and maintain Arizona’s treasured natural resources.