Putnam Parks And Rec’s John Ross Albertson Leaving For New Opportunity

Putnam County Parks and Recreation Director John Ross Albertson leaving his position for a new role in Longview, Texas.

Albertson said he will now serve as the Director of their Parks and Recreation Department. He said the best part of his job over the past nine years has been the people, and it is bittersweet to leave them

“Our department of course wasn’t as well known and wasn’t as prominent as it has been in the last few years, “Albertson said. “And so that requires a whole lot of people throughout the community to be able to get that success and to be able to accomplish those types of goals.”

Albertson said it is hard to say what he is proudest of. He said if he had to pick, it would be his staff members for their dedication and hard work for almost a decade.

Albertson said not only did they work through a big transition when Albertson took over the department, they have also served as a huge resource for the county during many different events.

“Whether that’s through hosting the Vietnam Wall that came through at the soccer complex or whether that’s working the distribution center and warehouse during the tornado,” Albertson said. “Had it not been for the staff that we had and the dedication they put into our department ultimately I wouldn’t have this opportunity where I’m going to be moving to Texas. So I have to give all the credit to the staff.”

Albertson said Assistant Director Cody Maynard will serve as the interim director until the county finds a permanent director.