For Immediate Release
Contact: Dancie Perugini Ware Public Relations

MEMORIAL PARK CONSERVANCY ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP TRANSITION
Chris Ballard to Serve as Interim President and CEO as Shellye Arnold Moves to President Emeritus Role

Houston, TX – Memorial Park Conservancy today announced a leadership transition, with Chris Ballard stepping into the role of Interim President and CEO, effective November 1, 2024. This transition comes as Shellye Arnold, who has served as President and CEO for over a decade, moves into a President Emeritus role to focus on family priorities.

Under Arnold’s leadership, Memorial Park Conservancy has undergone a remarkable transformation. During her tenure, the organization completed five major capital projects that have reshaped Memorial Park: Clay Family Eastern Glades, Kinder Land Bridge and Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff Prairie, Seymour Lieberman Trail Bridges, Sports Complex, and the Running Complex and Café. Arnold’s stewardship saw the Conservancy grow from a small team to a robust nonprofit organization of nearly 70 employees, while successfully raising over $135 million for park enhancements. These achievements have significantly elevated the Park’s offerings and infrastructure, benefiting the entire Houston community and setting a nationwide model for urban forest and park renewal.

“We support Shellye’s decision to focus on her family and are forever grateful for her vision, leadership, and passion,” said Veronica Chapa Gorczynski, Chair of Memorial Park Conservancy’s Board of Directors. “While we will miss her day-to-day involvement, we are excited to welcome Chris into his new role to continue the Conservancy’s important work.”

Chris Ballard joined Memorial Park Conservancy in 2023 as Chief Operating Officer, following a comprehensive nationwide search for a leadership team member with the potential to guide the Park’s future. This search was conducted with the understanding that the selected candidate would be part of the succession plan to lead the organization for years to come. The Conservancy’s Board and staff leadership selected Ballard for his extensive relevant operations experience, track record of career growth and success, strong people leadership skills, and professional values that closely align with those of Memorial Park Conservancy.

“During his tenure as COO, Chris has demonstrated tremendous leadership and aptitude, earning the full confidence of the Board in his ability to excel in this new position and lead the organization forward,” Chapa Gorczynski added.

A native Texan, Ballard brings a wealth of experience as a seasoned leader adept in overseeing operations, facilities, finances and personnel. Prior to joining the Conservancy, he held various leadership positions at Abilene Christian University, most recently serving as Associate Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Athletics, where he provided supervision and leadership for the Athletics Department’s business office, human resources, facilities, event operations, compliance, academics and sports medicine.

“I am honored to step into this role and continue the incredible work that has been done at Memorial Park,” said Ballard. “Our team is committed to preserving, restoring, and enhancing this vital green space for all Houstonians to enjoy. I look forward to building on the strong foundation established by Shellye and working closely with our dedicated staff, board and community partners.”

Memorial Park Conservancy will continue to advance its key focus areas, including conservation, amenity design and maintenance, community involvement, and implementation of the Memorial Park Master Plan and its associated Ten-Year Plan. For more information about Memorial Park Conservancy and its initiatives, please visit www.memorialparkconservancy.org.

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ABOUT MEMORIAL PARK CONSERVANCY

Memorial Park Conservancy is a non-profit organization created to restore, preserve, and enhance Memorial Park for the enjoyment of all Houstonians, today and tomorrow.  Founded in 2000, the Conservancy’s vision is to implement the principles of world-class park management and stewardship in partnership with the Houston community. Board Chair Veronica Chapa Gorczynski leads a volunteer Board of Directors, and a highly qualified staff works under the leadership of Interim President and CEO Chris Ballard.  Memorial Park Conservancy is responsible for managing 1,100 of the Park’s 1,500 acres.  To stay up to date on the latest Park news, visit Memorial Park Conservancy’ website, sign up for the e-newsletter or follow along on Facebook, Instagram and X.

ABOUT THE MEMORIAL PARK MASTER PLAN

The Memorial Park Master Plan is a visionary plan for the future of Houston’s largest urban wilderness and recreation park. The Master Plan focuses on restoring the Park’s ecological systems and creating greater resiliency; reconnecting the Park’s land, waterways, trails, and people; consolidating compatible uses together in appropriate areas; tending to the land and the Park’s cultural history, maintaining balance through responsible management; and enhancing the overall Park experience and amenities. It includes capital improvements, long-term conservation, and an operations and maintenance plan for the Park. It was unanimously approved by Houston City Council in 2015.

The Ten-Year Plan enables Memorial Park Conservancy to accelerate design and construction of significant components of the Memorial Park Master Plan and was made possible by a $70M catalyst gift from Kinder Foundation, which leveraged public funding through the Uptown Development Authority, and by the generosity of other donors. Execution of the Ten-Year Plan is overseen by the Memorial Park Standards Committee, a partnership comprised of Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Memorial Park Conservancy, Kinder Foundation, and Uptown Houston.