Dale Larsen knew that public parks and recreation service would be his career choice as early as an elementary schooler playing Might Mite baseball, learning to swim at the public swimming pool and playing drums in the after school program - all provided by a small Wisconsin Park and Recreation Department in the 1950's. For nearly 30 years, Dale's career has taken him from Milwaukee County, Wisconsin to Phoenix, Arizona. The most recent highlight came in October, 2000, as Dale chaired the Phoenix Local Host Committee on behalf of the NRPA Congress. After learning the ropes as chairman in 1990, the 2000 Congress beat all attendance and participation records. Phoenix has been home for Dale since 1984. Prior to Phoenix, Dale enjoyed 12 years working in various management positions with the Milwaukee County Park Commisssion. He was an officer for the Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association. Dale felt he was primed and ready to work for Jim Colley and the Phoenix Parks, Recreation and Library Department.  Little did he know that while working for Phoenix, the expectation is to also devote as much as possible service to NRPA and the Academy for Parks and Recreation Administration. Dale has served on the NRPA Certification Board and is currently a member of the CAPRA Agency Accreditation Commission. He helped to co-author the Park Security chapter in the recently published "Management of Park and Recreation Agencies" through NRPA and CAPRA. He is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Leisure Research "Best Practices" publications, representing practitioners and has also served as chief editor for the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association magazine. Dale is a Faculty Associate for both Arizona State University and ASU West, teaching undergraduate and graduate classes on administration and leadership. Dale volunteers for C.O.M.F.O.R.T., a reading and recreation program for homeless children and River Rampage, an outdoor adventure program for disabled teens and teens living in risky environments. Dale is addicted to golf, runs in marathons. loves cribbage and practices never growing up.

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