Great Parks of Hamilton County (formerly Hamilton County Park District) was created in 1930 with the mission to protect local natural resources and to provide outdoor recreation and education for area residents. Great Parks of Hamilton County is a separate political subdivision of the State of Ohio, governed by a Board of Park Commissioners. Board members are appointed by the Judge of Hamilton County Probate Court, the Honorable Ralph Winkler.
The Board is comprised of five individuals who serve without compensation for terms of three years. The Board sets governance policies, approves land acquisitions and annual budgets. The Board appoints a Chief Executive Officer who is responsible for the implementation of park policies and leads the overall operation of Great Parks of Hamilton County.
Board Meeting Rules
William J. Burwinkel was first appointed to the Board effective January 11, 2016, and most recently reappointed effective January 1, 2020. Mr. Burwinkel is the founder and Chairman of the Board of National Marketshare Group, Inc. He is also the founder of the Adopt A Class Foundation and is active throughout the Greater Cincinnati community bringing together Businesses and Community Groups to serve as Mentors and Role Models for urban children. He was a 2011 Cincinnati Business Courier Second Act award recipient. In recognition of his years of service and dedication, the Dan Beard Council of Boy Scouts of America awarded him their highest non-scout honor, the Silver Beaver Award. Burwinkel is a member of Leadership Cincinnati USA Class 31.
Stacey DeGraffenreid was first appointed to the Board effective January 14, 2021. She is the Assistant Chief Prosecuting Attorney in the criminal division of the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s office, where she has worked for 19 years. Ms. DeGraffenreid supports the Greater Cincinnati community and mentors young ladies through coaching youth basketball and soccer. She is a graduate of University of Louisville and University of Cincinnati College of Law.
Caren Laverty was first appointed to the Board effective January 12, 2021. She has over 13 years in investment business focused on teaching women the fundamentals of financial investing. Mrs. Laverty is the author of the book "A Woman's Place is in the Market" and is the founder of her financial blog, carenlaverty.com. She is active in the Greater Cincinnati community and volunteers at St. Joseph Orphanage working with young adults in the Independent Living program. Mrs. Laverty is a graduate of Miami University.
Joseph C. Seta was first appointed to the Board effective January 1, 2011 and most recently reappointed effective January 1, 2020. He served as the President and CEO of Seta, Appleman & Showell, an advertising and graphic design firm, for 22 years and as Managing Director of Cincinnati Landor Associates Design Group. He has served on the advisory board for the College of Mount Saint Joseph and was a board member for the Central Academy of Commercial Art. He attended Xavier University and the Central Academy of Commercial Art.
Marcus L. Thompson was first appointed to the Board effective January 3, 2019. He is Community Development Manager at Skanska was recognized as a Forty Under 40 award recipient in 2018 by the Cincinnati Business Courier. He is also a graduate of Leadership of Central Kentucky and United Way BOLD. Mr. Thompson supports the Greater Cincinnati community as director of Gameday Operations for Saturday Hoops, serves on the Board of Trustees for the Center for Addiction Treatment, is a member of the Cincinnati Zoo Ambassador Council and is a mentor and serves on the Board of Directors for the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative. He is a graduate of Seton Hill University.
Todd Palmeter, Chief Executive Officer, Great Parks of Hamilton County
Todd Palmeter has been the Chief Executive Officer for Great Parks of Hamilton County since May 16, 2019. Mr. Palmeter began his career with the park district in 2003 as a Park Planner and played an instrumental role in the development of many of the park district’s most popular destinations including Highfield Discovery Garden, Fernbank Park, and the Mitchell Memorial Forest Mountain Bike Trail. He managed the agency’s five-year strategic plan and provided leadership for several key park district initiatives including the agency’s first Comprehensive Master Plan. He currently serves on the Board for Green Umbrella, the Social Justice Committee for the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials, and is actively involved with the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association. Mr. Palmeter is an alumnus of Leadership Cincinnati Class 43 and the National Recreation and Parks Association Director’s School and Green School.
Individuals interested in being considered for a future appointment to the Board of Park Commissioners of Great Parks of Hamilton County may submit a letter of interest to the Probate Court of Hamilton County, c/o Honorable Judge Ralph Winkler, William Howard Taft Law Center, 230 East Ninth Street, 10th Floor, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. Park Commissioners must be Hamilton County residents with demonstrated skills in organizational, business and/or academic leadership and a genuine passion for public parks and the conservation of natural resources.
Previous Park Commissioners
| William H. Albers | 7/17/1930–6/6/1954 |
| Ralph Rogan | 7/17/1930–4/1/1955 |
| L. Alvin Kreis | 7/17/1930–9/19/1936 |
| Alfred K. Nippert | 11/7/1936–6/4/1953 |
| Louis Nippert | 6/4/1953–12/31/1977 |
| Justin A. Rollman | 6/14/1954–10/20/1970 |
| Louis Richter | 4/6/1955–12/31/1957 |
| Sam Benedict | 1/1/1958–12/1/1980 |
| Richard H. Durrell | 10/20/1970–8/14/1987 |
| Nolan Carson | 1/1/1978–12/31/1995 |
| Paul W. Christensen, Jr. | 12/1/1980–12/31/1993 |
| James A.D. Geier | 8/19/1987–8/1/2001 |
| Robert A. Goering, Sr. | 1/1/1994–12/31/2012 |
| Nancy R. Hamant | 2/1/1996–12/31/2010 |
| James E. Bushman | 11/21/2001–12/31/2009 |
| John T. Reis | 1/1/2010–12/31/2013 |
| Donald S. LaRosa | 6/7/2012–12/31/2015 |
| DeVere Burt | 1/1/2013–12/31/2018 |
| Geraldine Warner | 5/2/2012–12/31/2020 |
| HC Buck Niehoff | 1/1/2014–12/31/2020 |
Joseph C. Seta
| 1/1/2011–present
|
| William Burwinkel | 1/1/2016–present |
| Marcus L. Thompson | 1/3/2019–present
|
| Caren Laverty | 1/12/2021–present |
| Stacey DeGraffenreid | 1/14/2021–present |
