Costa Mesa City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison announced that Jason Minter, a 24-year veteran of municipal government, would be the new Director of Parks & Community Services.
“We interviewed several competent and well-qualified applicants, and Jason rose to the top of this highly competitive field and proved to be a truly outstanding candidate to lead our Parks & Community Services Department,” Farrell Harrison said. “I look forward to working with him during what has been a challenging time for Costa Mesa’s parks and recreational activities.”
Mayor Katrina Foley also cheered the news of Minter’s hiring.
“Costa Mesans love our parks and programs,” Mayor Foley said. “Gratefully, we found an experienced and proven leader at this critical time for our Parks and Community Services Department. I look forward to working with Mr. Minter on creative ways to offer programming to residents. We welcome him to our leadership team.”
For the last 13 years, Minter has been the Administrative Services Manager for city of Torrance, where he managed approximately 28 employees in the Registration and Facility Booking
Offices, the Park Ranger and Home Improvement Programs, and Toyota Sports Complex
His responsibilities in this position include all aspects of management, including budgeting, capital projects, employee relations, personnel management, training, disaster preparedness, audits and policymaking.
“I feel that my intensity and persistence, along with a fresh perspective on the Department’s programs and activities, will enable me to not only be an engaging, active leader, but also to provide innovative thinking and strategic planning necessary to keep the Department moving forward,” Minter said. “I look forward to this new challenge and getting to know the people and places that are unique to Costa Mesa.”
Costa Mesa’s Parks & Community Services Director has direct oversight over the city’s 30 parks, including Fairview, Bark Park and the Skate Park, recreation programs for youth and adults, sports field usage, Jack Hammett Sports Complex, the Costa Mesa Senior Center and the Downtown Recreation Center and Aquatics Center.
Prior to his career in Torrance, Minter worked for the cities of Long Beach, Hawthorne, Irvine and Los Alamitos in various Community Services roles.
He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Cal State University Dominguez Hills and a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies from Cal State University Long Beach.