Matt Young will be missed by Tehachapi

Tehachapi Valley Recreation and Parks District General Manager, Matt Young, announced his resignation from the district at the July district meeting. He will be leaving on August 28 to take the position of Assistant Director of Recreation and Cultural Affairs in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Young said that he had actually received the final offer for the position the day before the district meeting.

Gulf Shores, located on the Gulf of Mexico, is a well know recreation and tourist area. One of the exciting projects Matt expects to be involved with is the development of a marine research center to be sponsored by the Ocean Futures Society and Jean Michel Cousteau and partially financed by the BP oil spill settlement and other government grants. This project would include a kids camp and facilities to study unique local species. As a certified scuba instructor, Matt said he is looking forward to getting to do some diving. His other responsibilities would include beaches, parks, libraries and recreation.

Young said that the TVRPD Board of Directors began a nationwide search for his replacement immediately following his resignation. The position will be posted until August 15; however, if not filled by that date, will remain open until the right person is found.

Matt stated that he is pleased with the accomplishments the district has been able to achieve since he arrived in Tehachapi in March 2013. With the changes in leadership and the acquisition of new recreation and maintenance staff, the district has refined their Master Plan and approved a new five year budget. Young stated that he is “very proud of Team TVRPD and what they have accomplished and the synergistic and viable position of the organization.” With this rebuilding, “the agency is now relevant,” said Young.

Recreation and Parks Director Gayle Stewart of Karpe Real Estate could not speak highly enough about the departing Young. She said “I want to compliment Matt on his tireless professionalism coupled with an ability to always apply the highest standards and best practices whether working with committees or contractors. Matt took the TVRPD Master Plan and refined it into the workable document that we have today. He is responsible for the redevelopment plan for Meadowbrook Park and the revision of the district's policy manuals. It has been a pleasure working with Matt. He’s leaving this district solid and smoothly running."