PRATT – Linda Lanterman, director of the Parks Division for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), was recently inducted into the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration at the Academy’s annual meeting during the National Recreation and Park Association Conference in St. Louis, Mo. Lanterman has worked for KDWPT for 24 years has been Parks Division director since 2010.

Lanterman oversees a staff of 120, 26 Kansas state parks and an annual budget of $12 million. She began her service with the department in the Human Resources Section, then served as the assistant chief of the Licensing Section and assistant director of the Parks Division. She graduated from Wichita State University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Administration degree in Accounting. The Kansas Recreation and Park Association named her a distinguished fellow in January 2015. She also currently serves as vice-president of the National Association of State Park Directors.  

 “I feel privileged to become a member of the Academy,” Lanterman said. “It’s a very prestigious honor in our profession. I am especially interested in recruiting and mentoring young professionals in parks and recreation management to help ensure a sustainable future for our industry.” 

Lanterman was nominated by Fran Mainella, a long-time member of the Academy and former director of the National Park Service.

“Linda is a high-energy, visionary individual whose influence is increasingly being felt in our profession,” Mainella said. “She is making a difference not only in our field of parks but in the world."

The Academy is a group of distinguished practitioners and educators who are leaders in the field of park and recreation. They must have served for at least 15 years in a high level of administration in a park and recreation agency or as a recognized educator in parks and recreation administration or they must manage a park and recreation department for an agency serving a population of more than 500,000. They also must have demonstrated outstanding ability in administration, management or education in the profession; displayed broad interest with a direct service benefit to the advancement of public parks and recreation or assumed leadership with a keen desire to contribute to the advancement of the field. The Academy is limited to 125 active members.

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