The chief administrative officer of a major maritime port and the former head of the East Baton Rouge Parish Recreation and Park Commission are vying for the top leadership role at New Orleans’ embattled recreation department.
New Orleans natives Patrice Bell and Corey Wilson are finalists in the two-month national search to replace former New Orleans Recreation and Development Commission CEO Larry Barabino Jr, according to NORD Commission Chair Kyle Walker. The public will have a chance to hear from candidates on Oct. 7 during a community forum at City Hall.
The NORD Foundation, which supports the department through fundraising and other measures, hired Louisiana consulting firm AMCorp International to help lead the application process. They were chosen using input incorporated from public surveys, NORD staff, the 13-member NORD Commission and city leaders. NORD officials said there were 176 applicants initially. Bell and Wilson were picked from a pool of 10 semifinalists…