Board selects Cary Schneider to fill vacancy

April 4, 2024

At the April 2 Bend Park and Recreation District’s board of directors meeting, the directors selected Cary Schneider to fulfill the duties for one vacant board position.

Schneider is a business owner who is approaching 15 years of volunteer board member experience for several non-profit and for-profit organizations. He has a degree in finance and management from the University of Oregon and has lived in Bend for three years, relocating from the Salem area. He and his family frequently enjoy the parks, trails, recreation programs and facilities.

“I would appreciate the opportunity to serve our community in a board role, with a focus on continuing the positive momentum towards providing equitable access to all current and future residents and to ensure all may have the opportunity for a similar experience,” Schneider wrote in his application materials.

“I understand the importance of collaborating with stakeholders and have considerable experience in roles with board oversight for several profit and nonprofit entities, including one of the Salem-area’s largest youth sports organizations, serving on the board of directors and in the capacity of president,” he added.

Last month, Zavier Borja resigned from the board due to frequent travel and job-related responsibilities and a desire to step back and allow another person to represent the public on the BPRD board of directors.

The appointed board member will complete the terms of service that end on June 30, 2025 (with the seat on the election ballot in May 2025).

Schneider was selected among 10 applicants as the top-scored candidate. He will be sworn in at the next board meeting on April 16.

“I extend my thanks to the community members who applied and expressed their interest in serving on the board of directors,” said Nathan Hovekamp, chair of the board of directors. “It was quite an honor to receive your application and to review your answers to the questions we asked you to address.”

Schneider currently serves on the district’s budget committee; therefore, a process will begin immediately to fill the vacancy on the budget committee. Applications for the vacant budget committee position are being accepted until noon on Friday, April 12. Application requirements and details are at: https://www.bendparksandrec.org/about/finance/.