Brianne Zanin
Chester County Commissioners Michelle Kichline, Kathi Cozzone and Terence Farrell announce the appointment of Brianne Zanin as Director of Chester County’s Department of Open Space Preservation, effective February 4, 2019. Zanin, 34, moves to this new role following six years as Deputy Director of the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation.
As Director of Open Space Preservation for Chester County, Brianne will lead the department in the strategic effort to preserve agricultural land, municipal parks, trails, greenways, and other land preservation projects. During her time with the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation, Brianne was responsible for 142 county parks spanning more than 2,500 acres, a $30 million annual operating budget and $12-$40 million capital budget, and overseeing the performance management of more than 275 full-time and 400 part-time employees.
Commenting on the appointment, Chester County Commissioners Michelle Kichline, Kathi Cozzone and Terence Farrell said: “Brianne’s experience with the County of Maui includes the development of the first strategic plan for the department of Parks and Recreation, as well as the creation of a master plan that provided immediate-to-long term direction for the department.
“This understanding and knowledge is vital to the role of Director of Open Space Preservation and we are confident that Brianne will guide the department – and the county – as it seeks to reach the goal of preserving 30 percent of Chester County’s land by the end of this year.”
Zanin takes over the leadership role from Bill Gladden who was named Executive Director of French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust in August.
“We thank Geoff Shellington, Agricultural Programs Coordinator, for stepping in and leading the Department of Open Space Preservation as interim director since last August,” added the Commissioners.
Zanin is originally from Idaho and grew up in the north-central panhandle in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. She worked for the County of Maui for eight years before relocating to the Southeast PA region. Zanin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Management from Missouri Baptist University and is a graduate of the National Recreation & Parks Director’s School. She is a member of the National Association of Counties, the National Recreation and Parks Association and the International City/County Management Association.
