PHILIP REA OF OGLEBAY’S NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER
RECEIVES NATIONAL DISTINCTION
WHEELING, W.VA. — Dr. Phillip Rea was recently selected to receive the National Distinguished Professional of the Year Award by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). The award was presented during a special reception at the 2017 NRPA Annual Conference in New Orleans on Sept. 27.
“On a national scale, Dr. Rea is one of the most respected individuals in his field and we are very fortunate to have him as an advisor to Oglebay’s National Training Center. Through his sound counsel, our Center will continue to provide cutting edge trainings for professionals across the United States,” said John Hargleroad, director of the National Training Center at Oglebay.
Since 1965, leaders from across the globe have traveled to Oglebay to attend the following nationally recognized trainings: NRPA Directors; Venue Management; IFEA Event Management; Zoo & Aquarium Development; State Park Leadership; Maintenance Management; Revenue Development; Campground Management; and Supervisors Management.
Each year, NRPA National Awards are presented to individuals and agencies across the U.S. to honor their efforts—both professional and personal—in the field of parks and recreation. Recipients are selected from a pool of applicants by NRPA’s National Awards and Scholarship Committee, and are chosen for excellence in a variety of topics, including professional and voluntary service, programming, leadership, research and public outreach.
Dr. Rea, who now serves as Professor Emeritus for the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management department at North Carolina State University, began his career working part-time at Oglebay while attending Triadelphia High School and West Liberty University. His professional experience includes high school teaching, a master’s degree in environmental education from SUNY Cortland, developing and managing a regional park for the City of Indianapolis, and serving as a lecturer in recreation and park administration at Indiana University. He earned his doctorate at Indiana University with a major in Recreation and Park Administration with a minor in Higher Education Administration. He joined North Carolina State University in 1978 and served as department head from 1987 until his retirement in 2003. Rea has published on recreation and park planning and management, recreation carrying capacity, park development and management, revenue generation, park and recreation maintenance management and academic leadership.
“It is a tribute to Oglebay that Dr. Rea would choose to finish his career where it began,” said Hargleroad.
ABOUT OGLEBAY
Located in Wheeling, WV, Oglebay offers 1,700 acres of year-round recreational opportunities and excellent overnight accommodations, while maintaining the property’s natural beauty. Oglebay is the perfect venue for events, meetings, vacations, weekend getaways, relaxing at the spa or golfing on one of four golf courses, including two championship courses. For generations, families, groups, organizations and individuals have indulged in the tradition and spirit that make Oglebay unique. Learn more at www.oglebay.com.