Laura Pate has been appointed to serve as interim Parks & Recreation director effective Jan. 6, following the departure of director Jim Pryor.

“We have confidence that Laura will lead the department well during the interim until a new Parks and Recreation director is named,” said County Manager David McKee. “Her dedication to not only Parks and Recreation but also the County has been a true reflection of public service at its finest.”

Pate has served as a Deputy Director for the Parks and Recreation department since 2020. In this role, she is responsible for managing the recreation and administration divisions including recreation center operations, marketing and community relations activities, and annual department budget oversight. She has also managed the National Accreditation process for the department for seven years.  

Pate began working with Forsyth County Parks & Recreation in 2002 as a program coordinator. She has also served as a program supervisor and the marketing and community relations manager during her 20-year career with the County. She earned her B.S. in Psychology and M.S. in Psychology with an emphasis in Adventure Therapy, both from Georgia College and State University.

The interim position will remain in effect until a new director is hired, and in-office.