Thorner named executive director – Tip-Off – John Thorner – Brief Article
NRPA Chair David Lose is pleased to announce that John Thorner, CAE, has been appointed executive director of the National Recreation and Park Association, effective March 24.
Most recently, Thorner was chief executive officer of the Optical Society of America, headquartered in Washington, D.C. He has previously served as the executive director of the Air and Waste Management Association, in Pittsburgh, Pa., and has been director of public affairs and general counsel of the Water Environment Federation, in Alexandria, Va. In addition to his 20 years of association management experience, Thorner is an experienced journalist, having written for the Washington Post, Legal Times, Associated Press and Atlanta Constitution.
Thorner received his law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law. He also has a masters degree in journalism from Columbia University. His undergraduate degree in history and political science was from Duke University, where he served as managing editor of The Duke Chronicle.
Thorner is a member of the American Society of Association Executives, a member of the American Institute of Physics and the American Association of Engineering Societies. He’s a certified association executive, and is licensed to practice law in two states and the District of Columbia.
Look in next month’s issue of Parks & Recreation for an in-depth interview with Thorner about his goals as NRPA’s new executive director.
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