AUSTIN (KXAN) — Jesús Aguirre has been named the newest director of the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax announced Monday. Aguirre has more than 25 years of experience working in both the parks and recreation realm as well as public education and leadership roles. He has previously served as the lead of parks and recreation departments in Washington, D.C. and in Seattle, as well as CEO of the Waterloo Greenway in Austin. Community members had the chance to meet and hear from three finalists for the role earlier this month, following a national search to narrow down candidates. As PARD director, Aguirre will be in charge of department operations, programs, facilities and staff. Aguirre earned a bachelor's degree in biology and pre-medicine from the University of Texas at Austin and a master's degree in business administration from Arizona State University. He will officially start his tenure as PARD director on Jan. 12, per the release. “I’m honored to join the Austin PARD team as we work to inspire Austinites to connect, protect, learn and play,” Aguirre said in the release. “Austin is at a pivotal moment of growth and change, and parks and recreation are essential to ensuring our communities remain healthy, vibrant and inclusive. I am excited to work with our community members to create spaces where everyone can thrive.”