State Park Rep
Jason Webber
Director, Old Orchard Beach Parks & Recreation
Why do you want to serve on the MRPA Board of Directors?
I believe I bring a fresh voice and a willingness to think outside the box. As the Recreation Director for the Town of Old Orchard Beach, I’ve spent the past 21 years helping grow a small two-person department into a team of six full-time staff, all while managing a complex operation that includes a stadium and year-round programming.
I want to serve on the board to listen, learn, and contribute a new perspective. I value collaboration and believe strong leadership starts with understanding the needs of communities across the state. My goal is to help move the organization forward with innovative ideas, while staying grounded in and building upon the strong work the board has already put in.
In your view, what is the primary purpose of the association?
The primary purpose is to support and strengthen recreation departments across the state by providing leadership, education, and advocacy. At its core, it’s about making sure professionals have the tools, resources, and connections they need to better serve their communities—whether you’re a one-person department or part of a larger team.
If elected, how would you help support that purpose?
If elected, I would support that purpose by bringing a real-world, boots-on-the-ground perspective to the board. I understand the challenges departments face, whether it’s limited staffing, tight budgets, or growing community expectations, and I want to make sure MRPA is delivering resources and support that actually meet those needs. At the end of the day, I’d be an active voice, listening, sharing ideas, and helping the board continue to grow in a way that supports all communities across the state.
Please describe your past experience or involvement with MRPA. For example, committee involvement, membership, attendance at special events, conferences, training, etc.
Early in my career, I served on the MRPA Board of Directors for two years. I’ve also been involved on the Advocacy Committee and have remained an active member by regularly attending conferences and trainings. In addition, for the past five years, I’ve volunteered at the NRPA National Conference, which has allowed me to stay connected to the broader parks and recreation network and bring new ideas and insights back to Maine.
Jen DeRice
Asst. Parks Director, Portland Parks Recreation & Facilities
Why do you want to serve on the MRPA Board of Directors?
I have been a dedicated advocate and participant with MRPA for the past 30 years. I am seeking a seat on the board because I have seen the “MRPA effect” firsthand. The professional development, mentoring, and networking opportunities provided by this board have been instrumental in my own career growth and, by extension, have enriched the communities I have served. I am eager to transition from a beneficiary of that work to a steward of it, ensuring the next generation of Maine’s recreation leaders has the same—if not better—opportunities to succeed. In my current role of assistant parks director for the City of Portland, I feel I sit at a unique vantage point. I am prepared to leverage the resources, professional networks, and urban scale experience I manage daily to benefit our statewide membership. I would aim to help move forward the goals of the association and promote more parks-related discussions and training. I value the work of the association’s board members and believe my career-long involvement is a testament to my belief that this association is the backbone of our profession in Maine.
In your view, what is the primary purpose of the association?
The primary purpose is to help parks and recreation professionals to advance their mission through advocacy, education, and networking opportunities.
If elected, how would you help support that purpose?
If elected, I will focus my energy on advocating for parks initiatives, elevating the conversation around parks and essential infrastructure for community health and economic stability by promoting training opportunities that meet the needs of modern park professionals. For many years, the parks end of the equation, including the physical infrastructure, land management, and technical maintenance, has been sidelined by the recreation programming side. I’d like to help support and re-invigorate the effort to elevate parks-related issues, best practices, trainings, and advocacy to our membership.
Please describe your past experience or involvement with MRPA. For example, committee involvement, membership, attendance at special events, conferences, training, etc.
I have been a dedicated advocate and participant with MRPA for the past 30 years serving on various committees (conference, fall workshop, advocacy, and scholarship committees, and awards chairperson), as well as the Board of Directors as a Member At-Large, SMART Rep, VP, and President. I feel that my passion for the profession, experience, and historical perspective will be an asset to the current BOD. I believe that understanding our past decisions – what worked, what didn’t, and why – is essential for reaching our current goals efficiently. Hopefully I can provide a “bridge” between history and our future.