The Fargo Park District Board of Commissioners met today to review the recommendations for two new Deputy Director positions. With a unanimous vote, the board voted to approve the promotion of Dave Bietz as the new Deputy Director of Operations and the hiring of Susan Faus as the new Deputy Director of Administration.
The Deputy Director positions are new roles to the Fargo Park District and will report directly to Executive Director Dave Leker to form a new executive team as the district moves into an organisational restructure as identified through the strategic plan process completed earlier this year. The organizational restructure was approved by the Fargo Park Board at their meeting on October 4, 2022 and shifts the current functions into two newly created divisions: Operations and Administration. In his new role as Deputy Director of Operations, Bietz will oversee the areas of Parks, Recreation, Courts Plus Community Fitness, Golf Operations and the Fargo Parks Sports Complex. As the new Deputy Director of Administration, Faus will oversee the areas of Finance, Human Resources, IT, Marketing and Sales, Golf Pro Shops and Valley Senior Services.
In his current role as the Parks Director for the Fargo Park District, Bietz is responsible for the comprehensive system of parks, trails and facilities and oversees the divisions of forestry, park maintenance, project management, golf operations, facilities and sports turf. Bietz has worked for the Fargo Park District since 1991. He started as a seasonal worker working at Edgewood Public Golf Course. Later, he moved to a full-time role with the Park Maintenance Division and since then has held various positions throughout his career with the Park District in the Operations Department. Bietz grew up in Fergus Falls, MN. He attended the University of Minnesota, NDSU and finished with his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Rasmussen College. Bietz also gained his accreditation as a Certified Park and Recreation Professional from the National Recreation and Parks Association in 2018. Bietz has served on various boards and committees within the Fargo-Moorhead community and is a 2017-2018 graduate of the Leadership Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce program.
In her current role as the Deputy Director of Parks & Recreation for the City of Bloomington, Minnesota, Faus is involved in planning and evaluating a comprehensive program of parks and recreation services, with particular responsibility for leading and overseeing management of the Department’s major recreation facilities, including the Arts Center, Community Center, Golf Courses and the Ice Arena. She spent seven years with the City of Edina starting as the General Manager at Edinborough Park and the Aquatics Center and then was promoted to Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation. Faus spent 12 years working for the YMCA starting in Lexington, Kentucky and then the YMCA of the Twin Cities. Faus holds a BS degree in Corporate and Community Fitness from North Dakota State University and a Master’s Degree in Sport Management from the University of Kentucky. She is a member of the 1991 Women’s Basketball National Championship team, an All-American in Track and Field at North Dakota State University and was inducted into the Bison Hall of Fame in 2013.
“The Park District has seen significant growth in offerings and footprint over the past few years as we play a significant role in the continued growth and development of our city,” shared Dave Leker, Fargo Park District Executive Director. “People are attracted to Fargo because we have expanded employment opportunities, an excellent school system, and a first-class park district. We believe the promotion of Dave Bietz and addition of Susan Faus as the new deputy directors of Fargo Parks will play a crucial role in leading our organization forward.”
Bietz was selected as the top choice for the Deputy Director of Operations from 24 applicants. Six finalists were interviewed by a panel consisting of a park commissioner, park district staff and a community member. Faus was selected as the top choice for the Deputy Director of Administration from 12 applicants. Five finalists were interviewed by a separate panel consisting of a park commissioner, park district staff and a community member. Each of the finalists brought a variety of background and experience in leading, managing and running park facilities.
Bietz and Faus will each assume their new roles by late November 2022.
