Rowan County has appointed Nick Aceves as the new Director of the Parks and Recreation Department, a position now vacated following Don Bringle's step into retirement after two decades of service. Aceves assumes his role effective on Monday and brings with him a similar tenure of 20 years in a field defined by community and open spaces. His most recent post before accepting the Rowan County position had him at the helm of Salisbury's Parks and Recreation Department for nearly eight years.
According to the official Rowan County announcement, Aceves completed his undergraduate studies in Media Studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1999. He didn't just stop there; he furthered his expertise with a Master’s in Leisure Service Management in 2012. Aceves holds a resume decorated with leadership-focused education, including the L.E.A.D. Program at the University of Virginia and Public Executive Leadership Academy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Recognition of his leadership and service came in form of the Pacesetter Award for outstanding alumni from his alma mater. Over his career span, Aceves has demonstrated a knack for bolstering parks and recreation through substantial funding, securing nearly $2.7 million in related grants. This has undoubtedly enriched the fabric of the communities he has served, by enhancing the amenities that serve as gathering places and sources of local pride.
A military child, Aceves cites a nomadic upbringing as the wellspring of his collaborative spirit, a trait that will serve him well in a role profoundly tied to community engagement. When he's not charting the course for the county's parks and recreation, Nick Aceves spends time with family, often traveling—a hobby that keeps him connected to diverse landscapes, from coastal retreats to expansive parks, all across the nation.
