Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Director Don Burton knows that his department’s number two member – Deputy Director Joe Shuttleworth – has been successful for multiple reasons. One of those, he said, is his ability to work with others, which in a department so intimately involved with the public it may be among the most critical.

 

“It’s easy to see that Joe is not only well liked among his peers and everyone here at the Civic Center, but he’s liked and trusted by so many groups he works with,” said Burton. “He understands the importance of working with those involved with so many of our programs such as soccer, fast break and the coaches, parents and volunteers. He builds rapport in a professional and tactful manner with people and when you combine that with his other assets ... you have an asset for the department and city.”

 

Apparently, Shuttleworth’s assets have served him well with the West Virginia Recreation and Parks Association. During that group’s annual conference last week at the Stonewall Jackson Resort, Shuttleworth was awarded with the John G. Scherlacher Fellow Award.

 

The honor is the highest award that can is given to a recreation professional in the state of West Virginia by the organization. To qualify for the honor, Shuttleworth needed to have 10 years of service in the industry and five years of service with the Association – he easily met both of those criteria. However, where he made his inroad was assuming leadership in the organization.

 

“I was very surprised to get the honor,” said Shuttleworth, who has 19 years of service with the city. “It’s certainly nice to get that type of recognition from your peers.”

 

Shuttleworth has been actively involved with the Association. He’s a past president, and has served on various boards and committees from the outreach committee that works with small communities on recreational endeavors to the committee that determines where the annual conference is held among others.

 

“The organization has been beneficial on many fronts for recreation throughout the state,” said Shuttleworth. “I’m glad to be part of it and honored to get the award.”

 

Shuttleworth, as well as Burton, had no idea of the honor that was coming last week. Shuttleworth received a glass plaque in recognition of his efforts.