TRPA Fellow Award earned by Johnson
Johnson, the wife of Farragut fire marshal Dan Johnson, recently was honored with the Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association Fellow Award.
“I believe that April Johnson is the perfect candidate for the 2021 TRPA Fellow Award,” Sue Stuhl, Farragut Parks & Recreation director stated in a letter to TRPA. “She is what I call a ‘true believer’ in the power of parks and recreation.
“As part of this profession, she has dedicated her career to helping communities in Tennessee to better their parks and recreation system,” Stuhl added. “From starting her career as a senior center coordinator for Knox County, expanding her role while serving Clinton, guiding the City of Kingston as Park and Recreation director to her current role as State of Tennessee Parks and Recreation technical assistance service, she has shown her dedication, enthusiasm and perseverance to our profession.”
Stuhl pointed out that in addition to Johnson’s dedication, she has “served in most, if not all, leadership roles of TRPA, guiding our organization through many changes over the years.
“But, perhaps, my favorite ‘thing’ about April is that she is so inclusive,” Stuhl added, noting for those who are new to recreation community, “April will take you under her wing … April will make sure that you meet others.
“She does this with a joyful heart and winning personality. And most of all – April is a lot of fun, will make you laugh and will remind you what is wonderful about this profession!”
The Fellow Award is TRPA’s highest award “to honor and recognize individuals who have significantly contributed to and influenced TRPA and the parks and recreation profession throughout her career,” according to Chantelle Koserski, administrative assistant with the Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association.
“Since 1972, this award has recognized professional members of the TRPA that during their career have made outstanding contributions to the parks, recreation and conservation field over and above their normal and expected duties,” Koserski stated in an e-mail.
Johnson has been an active member of the park and recreation field since 1997, when she graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science degree in recreation and park administration, leisure program delivery services.
Her first job was as summer youth program director at Loudon United Methodist Church before becoming recreation coordinator at Choto Recreation Center for Tellico Village and senior center coordinator for Knox County Parks and Recreation.
Additionally, according to TRPA professional member George Brogdon, who submitted her nomination application, “April has been involved with professional organizations since early in her career and began assuming and being elected to leadership positions at a young age.
“Her leadership began with TRPA after being elected aquatics chair in 2003 and then appointed as the Awards Committee chair in 2004,” he added. “She was elected by the TRPA membership as vice president for 2006-2008, and then elected as president-elect in 2008-2009, president in 2009-2010 and past president in 2010-11.”
