Knoxville Parks and Recreation Director Joe Walsh has named Nikki Crutcher as the department’s new Recreation Superintendent. The position oversees all staff and operations at the City’s recreation centers, pools, and Knoxville Arts and Fine Crafts Center.

“Nikki brings a great package of useful skills, experience and knowledge to the table that will serve our department well in her new role,” said Walsh. “Each time Nikki has stretched her abilities within her position, our department has also grown from her efforts. Her leadership will be a great asset to Parks and Recreation.”

Recently, Crutcher earned the prestigious certification as a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) by the National Certification Board and the National Recreation and Parks Association. The CPRP certification is granted to parks and recreation professionals who meet eligibility requirements of higher education, work experience, and completion of an examination that tests knowledge in general administration, programming and operations management within the parks and recreation field.

Crutcher has been with Knoxville Parks and Recreation for nearly 13 years, starting out as a Recreation Center Leader in 2003 and serving at the Milton Roberts, New Hope, and Dr. E.V. Davidson centers. It was at Dr. E.V. Davidson Community Center that Crutcher co-founded and co-organized the “Teen Step Show,” which has grown over the last decade from a small event in a recreation center gymnasium to a full-on competition at the Civic Auditorium that averages an audience of 2,000.

In 2013, Crutcher was promoted to Sports Outreach Coordinator and has recently been serving as the interim Recreation Superintendent.

Prior to working for the City of Knoxville, Crutcher worked for the YMCA and Chattanooga Parks and Recreation. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation and Tourism Management from the University of Tennessee.