HUTCHINSON, Kan.— Hutchinson City Manager John Deardoff announced today that Justin Combs will begin duties on July 1, 2014, as the City’s new Director of Parks and Facilities, replacing Mike Lueck who resigned in March to take on a parks and recreation director position near family in the St. Louis area.

Combs will be leaving Adrian, Michigan, where he has worked at the department head level as Director of Parks and Forestry since July of 2010. Combs’ twelve-year park and forestry career has mainly been in Kansas, including Manhattan, Leawood, and Wichita. He holds abachelor degree in Park Management and Conservation from Kansas State University and aMasters of Public Administration from Wichita State University.

Combs’ oversight will include operations and facilities with the Hutchinson Airport, Carey Park Golf Course, Fun Valley and Hobart-Detter Field, the Hutchinson Zoo, and Eastside Cemetery, as well as programs related horticulture, forestry, and capital improvements.