Fort Smith names new head of Parks & Rec department

Douglas Reinert has been hired as the director of Parks & Recreation for the city of Fort Smith. He is set to begin the new job on April 6.

He succeeds Mike Alsup, who left the Fort Smith job in November for a similar job in Shelbyville, Tenn.

A graduate of Utah State University, Reinert earned his master’s degree in public administration from the University of Kansas. Reinert comes to Fort Smith from Ottawa, Kan., where he serves as parks and cemetery superintendent and as the city’s urban forester. Reinert also has experience as a parks maintenance worker, a firefighter for the United States Forest Service, and a heavy equipment operator, and is a certified arborist with the state of Kansas.

“Fort Smith is such a beautiful city. I’m honored to be selected. I look forward to meeting new people, learning the culture and striving to be a driving force in Fort Smith’s leisure opportunities,” Reinert said in a statement from the city.

Fort Smith City Administrator Ray Gosack said Reinert brings a “wide breadth” of experience to the job.

“His collaborative style will help engage the community to establish parks and recreation priorities. Doug arrives at an exciting time as the community embraces the importance of its leisure services and plans for its future,” Gosack said in the statement.

Reinert and his wife, Michelle, have five children – three daughters, and two sons, all of whom are active in athletics, dance, and music.

A selection committee of senior staffers participated in the national search, which garnered more than 50 applications. Two finalists emerged from the field. In addition to the interview process, senior staff members within the parks department met with both finalists and concurred with Reinert’s selection.