FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 17, 2021
Contact: Carrie Dittman, Centerville-Washington Park District, cdittman@cwpd.org
Subject: Arnie Biondo Announces Retirement
CENTERVILLE, OH: Arnie Biondo will retire from the Centerville-Washington Park District (CWPD), Ohio in March 2021. Biondo has been the Director of CWPD since December 2014. In 2020, he was named Ohio Park and Recreation Association’s Professional of the Year.
He started his career in 1975 after graduating from the Recreation and Park Management program at the University of Oregon. He earned a Master of Arts from DePaul University in 1992.
In the early 1980’s Biondo worked at Recreation Director for the City of Kettering, Ohio and for NESMA, Inc. in Saudi Arabia. He also was part of the management team that re-engineered the City of Indianapolis Department of Parks and Recreation. Biondo worked in Illinois Park Districts in Oakbrook Terrace, Wheaton, Wheeling and Carol Stream; and spent a short stint as Director of the Forest Preserve of DuPage County.
While Director in Carol Stream, the District won the National Gold Medal for Excellence twice, and twice achieved Illinois accreditation. Carol Stream also built the first LEED-Certified public recreation center in Illinois during his tenure. Centerville-Washington Park District has been a Gold Medal finalist two of the past three years.
During his career, Biondo served on the association Boards in Illinois, Ohio and Indiana. He is past chairperson of the NRPA Revenue Sources Management School. He has had numerous articles published in the National Parks and Recreation magazine and in state magazines. He shared his knowledge and expertise with colleagues by teaching and presenting in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Maryland, Florida and Georgia conferences as well as at NRPA national conferences and Athletic Business Conferences.
Biondo lists as his greatest accomplishments the help and coaching he has been able to offer his colleagues and fellow staff. Throughout his career, he has been a tireless advocate for innovation and continuing education as the keys to professional and organizational success.
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The Centerville-Washington Park District operates eight community parks, nine nature parks, and 34 neighborhood parks encompassing more than 1,030 acres in Centerville and Washington Township. For more information about the Centerville-Washington Park District, please call (937) 433-5155 or visit www.cwpd.org.