City Employee Named 2013 Distinguished Professional of the Year

by city of Marietta

The Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) recently named city of Marietta Landscape Architect and 2009 Parks Bond Manager Rich Deckman as the Planning, Design and Development Distinguished Professional of the Year.

GRPA was formed in 1945 as a private, non-profit institution to support and promote the recreation and park industries within the state of Georgia. The Georgia Recreation and Park Association's mission includes promoting healthy life styles through the utilization of park facilities and recreation services for the well-being of citizens and entire communities, ensuring that park and recreation services are readily available and providing organized, supervised activity.

"I believe Rich embodies what this award is all about," Marietta's Parks and Recreation Manager Rich Buss said. "Rich has worn many hats over the years as a Marietta employee. Rich is a landscape architect and certified arborist by trade. He has helped Marietta plan the city's parks program, designed some of the bond projects, and he has actively managed the construction projects. He is definitely an asset to our city."

The GRPA presented the award at their annual conference Nov. 6.