Sampson County Parks and Rec Employee Spotlights
Published on July 31, 2025
All
throughout July, we're celebrating the incredible green spaces, recreational programs, and dedicated professionals & volunteers who make our communities vibrant and healthy.
Whether it's a stroll through a local park, a touchdown scored on the football field, or a fun community event, parks and recreation offers something for everyone, it bring us together, promotes well-being, and connects us with nature and each other.
So this month, get out there and explore! Share your favorite park memories, discover something fun or meet new people and create lasting memories at one of our local parks throughout Sampson County!
All throughout #NationalParksAndRecMonth we will be highlighting different members of our staff.
Meet our staff:
Today we have Nate Small our Hobbton District Recreation Coordinator!
Nate has been with our department over the past 2.5 years working his way up from a Rec Assistant to a Recreation Coordinator running our Hobbton School District!
Here are a few questions to learn more about Nate.
What is your Favorite Sport?
Why do you like to work with Parks & Recreation?
Nate: “I like working with Parks & Recreation because I get to be around Sports & Athletics which is a dream come true, who wouldn’t love to do that for a career.”
What is your favorite summer activity?
Nate: “Probably golfing
”
Stay tuned for the rest of our Summer Staff Spotlights coming later this month!
Todays Summer Staff Spotlight for
#NationalParksandRecMonth brings us to one of our very own Part-Time Staff members Trent Hughes!
Trent has been an integral part of our team for the past 2.5 years! As a Midway Highschool Graduate in 2024 Trent has worked diligently with all 4 of our Park Districts with him recently working heavily in our Union District, get to learn more about Trent below
.
What is your Favorite Sport?
Why do you love working with Parks & Rec?
Trent: I love interacting with the Kids & Parents.
What is your favorite summer activity?
Today’s Summer Staff Spotlight for
#NationalParksandRecMonth brings us to another of our very own Part-Time Staff members Luanna (Lulu) Sessoms!
Luanna has been an extremely reliable part of our team for the past 3 years! As a recent Lakewood high school graduate in 2025, Luanna’ s next steps takes her to NC State in the fall where she will be studying Agriculture Education get to learn more about Luanna below
.
What is your Favorite Sport?
Why do you love working with Parks & Rec?
Luanna: Meeting & working with the kids, parents & staff!
What is your favorite summer activity?
Daniel has worn many hats since he joined our department in 2022 serving as both Midway’s & Hobbton’s Athletic Coordinator’s and now currently serves as the county’s Recreation Manager. Daniel grew up around the Wilmington/Pender County area and is a proud NC State Alumni. Learn more about Daniel below
.
What is your Favorite Sport?
Why do you love working with Parks & Rec?
Daniel: I enjoy being a part of something bigger than myself and having the chance to continue to grow within the field of athletics & recreation. I also enjoy creating positive memories for the youth of Sampson County & meeting & forming lasting relationships with parents, officials, staff and community members alike!
What is your favorite summer activity?
Summer Staff Spotlight for
#NationalParksandRecMonth brings us to another of our very own Part-Time Staff members Garrison Harter!
Garrison has been a staple in our Lakewood district over the past 1.5 years. Garrison graduated from Lakewood high school in 2024 and is currently attending Sampson Community College where he is studying Electrical Systems Technology. Get to learn more about Garrison below
.
What is your Favorite Sport?
Garrison: Football
Why do you love working with Parks & Rec?
Garrison: Being around sports and giving back to the community through youth sports & activities.
What is your favorite summer activity?
Today’s Summer Staff Spotlight for
#NationalParksandRecMonth brings us to our very own Maintenance Assistant, Aaron Parker! Aaron wears many hats and does any &
everything to help keep our parks clean & well maintained throughout the year! If you can think of it then Aaron has helped make it happen from electrical work to plumbing, construction & even demolition Aaron has been an important part of our team over the past 3 1/2 years! Learn more about Aaron below!
What is your Favorite Sport?
Why do you love working with Parks & Rec?
Aaron: I like working outside & seeing the finished product of all the hard work we put into our programs!
What is your favorite summer activity?
Aaron: Spending time with my family
Today’s Summer Staff Spotlight for
#NationalParksandRecMonth brings us to our very own Office Administrative Assistant Marina Sessoms! Marina has been with our
department since it began and has worked in Parks & Recreation for 32 total years also serving as the Recreation Director for the Town of Roseboro & has also served as the Recreation Coordinator for the Lakewood district and a PT Rec Assistant with the City of Clinton as well ! Marina has been an irreplaceable
part of our department and we have enjoyed every minute of her being with us! Learn more about Marina below!
What is your Favorite Sport?
Why do you love working with Parks & Rec?
Marina: Obviously I love working with the kids and seeing them succeed but I also love how the job changes from day to day and it’s never the same thing!
What is your favorite summer activity?
Marina: Spending time with my family
Marina wanted to leave a quote as well that has stuck with her over the course of her career from a former director:
“I work so you can play”
For
this shoutout we wanted to highlight 3 different Superstar Part-Time Staff members of our team Lily Bowden, Carmen Young & Kelcey Worley!
Lily has been an amazing member of our Part-Time team up in the Hobbton District for the past 10 months, as a stellar high school athlete for her Hobbton Wildcats she has always found a way to give back to her community through helping out with Parks & Recreation!
Carmen has helped coach multiple teams and has also be a huge help on our team for the past 11 months in the Midway District, as a recent Midway High School graduate Carmen is currently working in the automotive tech industry striving to continue to grow as a young professional each and everyday!
Kelcey has always brought good energy each and everyday she has been a part of our department over the past 14 months. As a recent graduate of Midway High School She intends to attend UNCW in the next month to start studying Elementary Education where she will look to help shape and educate future generations!
What is your Favorite Sport?
Why do you love to work for Parks & Rec?
Lily: I love parks and recreation because I get to learn more about the little kids in my community and get to help them succeed in sports!
Carmen: The kids the kids the kids! I love watching them succeed and have fun!
Kelcey: I love working for parks and rec because watching a kid learn a sport they love makes me so happy!
What is your favorite Summer Activity?
Lily: Traveling
Kelcey: Trips with my Church & the Beach!
Thank you to these amazing staff superstars for all they do for our department & our communities!
Today’s Summer Staff Spotlight for
#NationalParksandRecMonth brings us to another Part-Time staff member Cameran Poole! Cameran has been with our department longer
than any other current part time staff member we have with a whopping 4 full years under her belt! Cameran has helped lead the charge by working throughout all 4 of our districts over the course of her time here with us. As a former high school athlete for her beloved Union Spartans she has turned her love for athletics into a career field to study by currently attending UNCW studying Physical Education!
What is your Favorite Sport?
Why do you love working with Parks & Rec?
Cameran: I love being able to see the kids grow their connection and love for each sport!
What is your favorite summer activity?
Today for
#NationalParksAndRecMonth we wanted to highlight 3 new Superstar Part-Time Staff members of our team in Seth Faircloth, Marissa Chestnut & Aden Blackwell!
Seth is a rising Sophmore at Lakewood High School, Seth has been a wonderful addition to our team over the past 7 months of working with our department. Seth love to be around the sports that he loves and enjoys being around his community and the people in it, Seth is extremely personable and is Always willing to help!
Marissa has been beyond reliable for our department over the past 3.5 years as a graduate of Union High School she has Also contributed her time and skills working throughout our county through or other districts as well!
Aden has been with our department for 5 months now and has already made an impact in the community he serves. Aden's passion for athletics is evident when you talk to him and his love for his home & community runs deep.
What is your Favorite Sport?
Why do you love to work for Parks & Rec?
Seth: I love parks and recreation because the people that I work with are great people!
Marissa: I love parks parks & recreation because I love being in the community and getting to see kids have a chance to do something they love.
Aden: What I love about working with parks and recreation is being able to see all the Kids progression through out the seasons.
What is your favorite Summer Activity?
Aden: Relaxing and enjoying my free time while also spending time with my family!
Thank you to these amazing staff superstars for all they do for our department & our communities!
One of Today’s Summer Staff Spotlights for the final day of
#NationalParksandRecMonth brings us to the master of getting stuff done our very own Maintenance
Superintendent Brad Richardson! Brad has been with our department for 23 years and has done everything and anything needed to help better our department in everyway possible. If something needs to be fixed or fields need to be maintained he’s the guy for the job! Brad loves the communities he works in and really cares and enjoys the work he puts in to ensure our Parks & Public Spaces remain beautiful!
What is your Favorite Sport?
Why do you love working with Parks & Rec?
Brad: I love to see fresh cut green grass, lines painted and the kids enjoying the games!
What is your favorite summer activity?
Our last Part-Time Summer Staff Spotlight for
#NationalParksandRecMonth brings us to our Midway district for a dynamic duo in EJ Martin & Wilson Mayo!
EJ has been with our department for Almost a full year and has been a huge impact on our department since day 1! EJ has always been one to take charge and lead by example and has always brought a positive attitude to work no matter what!
Wilson has been working with our department for half a year now and has brought an extensive knowledge for athletics with him! Wilson is excellent with the community and strives to get better everyday!
What is your Favorite Sport?
Why do you love working with Parks & Rec?
EJ: I love working with Parks and Recreation because I get to help the kids with something I think is fun being sports and mess around and have fun with my coworkers!
Wilson: I love parks and rec because I like watching the little kids learn knowing they will eventually grow into good athletes!
What is your favorite summer activity?
EJ: Playing Summer Ball!
Wilson: Playing Summer Ball!
Our Last but certainly not Least Summer Staff Spotlight for
#NationalParksandRecMonth brings us to the woman who makes it all happen Dana Hall! Dana has been working
in Parks & Recreation for 20 years in total and has served as Director here in Sampson County for the past 8 years! Dana truly loves serving the people of Sampson County and is dedicated to improving health and wellness through Parks, Recreation & Senior Services!
What is your Favorite Sport?
Why do you love working with Parks & Rec?
Dana: I love seeing people from different backgrounds and ages interacting at our parks, playgrounds, and different events. So many core memories stem from recreation programs!
What is your favorite summer activity?