After five years at the helm of the Jefferson Parks and Recreation Department, Denny Hammen is retiring as the director.

Hammen started as the JPRD Director on October 1, 2019 as he replaced Vicky Lautner. Before he became the director, Hammen spent 20 years as an administrator with the Prairie Valley School District, and then worked for Kingsgate Insurance and Landus Cooperative. He talks about one thing that has not changed in his five years as the director, which is the community support for progressive projects.

“I don’t think it’s changed much. I mean, that’s still the culture we’re living in, that’s still the leadership that’s provided in this community. And it’s interesting because we have changed some of those major leadership roles within the community, some have retired and moved on. But the culture remains the same and to me is what’s amazing. It’s not what’s changed over the past five years, it’s what stayed the same.     

As Hammen retired, Assistant Director Nathan Kral was approved by the Jefferson City Council to be the new director, which starts September 1st. Kral was hired about the same time as Hammen and has been the assistant director for about five years. City Administrator Scott Peterson shares his thoughts about what Hammen has meant to the parks and rec department.

“Denny’s leadership over the past five years has just really, really been fantastic! The programming over there has never been stronger, and Denny had a lot to do with that, but Nathan has a lot to do with that, also. I think Denny is leaving the park and recreation department in just a very, very good position, and much better than when he started. Wishing Denny, of course, the best and looking forward to some great things from Nathan.”    

Hammen adds that he will miss working with all of the people while in his position and is looking forward to spending more time with his family, and staying active in the community. However, Hammen says he will continue to help Kral until an assistant director is hired.