Following a national search, Miti Figueredo was chosen to replace the retiring Mike Riley as Montgomery County’s new park director. She is the first Latina to lead the parks department.
Figueredo is not new to The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and has six years of experience there. She was chief of staff for the planning board chair and parks deputy director for administration.
She takes over Jan. 1, 2024.
Figueredo will oversee the department’s 1,145-member staff and its $148 million operating budget and its $296 million six-year Capital Improvements program. She will report to the planning board, whose members are chosen by the county council. .
“We have complete confidence in Miti’s ability to lead Montgomery Parks in delivering exceptional park experiences and programs for the county,” stated Planning Board Chair Artie Harris.
“Her comprehensive knowledge of our community’s needs and instrumental role in shaping pivotal initiatives, such as the County’s General Plan Thrive Montgomery 2050 and the 2022 Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan, makes her an invaluable asset to our team,” Harris said in a statement.
“I am honored and thrilled to lead Montgomery Parks. I am committed to enhancing the quality of life for current and future generations in Montgomery County by creating parks amenities and programs that foster social connections, get people outside and exercising, and protect the environment,” Figueredo said.
“Miti has been an invaluable colleague and advisor,” Riley said. “I am certain she will continue the Parks Department’s legacy of delivering exceptional parks and programs that make Montgomery County a great place to live, work and play.”
Before working at Maryland National-Capital Park and Planning Commission, she served as East County Regional Director when Ike Leggett was Montgomery County Executive and was chief of staff to former Councilmember Nancy Navarro.
She also was an aide to former Councilmember Roger Berliner and former Rep. Chris Van Hollen.
Figueredo was also an executive at the Chevy Chase Land Company and the Director of Public Affairs for the Purple Line Transit Partners.
She is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Law and has a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Florida.
Please welcome Miti Figueredo as the newly-appointed Director of our @MontgomeryParks Department: https://t.co/rrGBsTXR6D
— M-NCPPC (@MNCPPC) November 17, 2023
