Mickey Fearn has been a parks professional for over 50 years. From 2008 to 2013, he served as the U.S. National Park Service Deputy Director for Communications and Community Assistance. Afterwards, he was a Professor of Practice at North Carolina State University. Previously, Mickey was Director of the City of Seattle Innovation Project, Executive Director of the Neighborhood Leadership Program, Manager of the Seattle Race and Social Justice Initiative, and Director of Communication and Citizen Engagement in the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation. Mickey led the creation of programs to end youth violence in Seattle and connect young people with nature. Mickey served as a Washington State Parks and Recreation Commissioner for 12 years. He also worked for the Governor of California, the California Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Mayor of Oakland, California. Mickey earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Recreation and Park Administration from California State University and a Master of Science Degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies from the University of Oregon.