LITTLE ELM (August 27, 2013) -- A far-reaching search that stretched virtually across the nation to fill the vacant Little Elm Parks and Recreation Department Directorship has resulted in the hiring of a highly qualified candidate from a neighboring city, according to Matt Mueller, Town Manager.

“Over the last few months, we’ve gone through an extensive process that involved 80 candidates from all over the nation to find the right person for this position. Throughout this process, the pool of candidates has been narrowed down using questionnaires, video interviews, personality and management assessments, and reference reviews,” he said.

After the group of candidates was whittled down to four, a new round of interviews and one-on-one discussions with key staffers resulted in the decision to tender an offer to Chad Hyde, a resident of Frisco and Division Manager in the Parks and Recreation Department of nearby Carrollton.

Hyde has accepted the offer and will begin work in Little Elm on Sept. 18.

In his current position, Hyde manages a division of 26 full-time employees and approximately 70 seasonal and part-time staff and a budget of over $3.1 million, including revenue generation of some $1.2 million. He’s been with the City of Carrollton for nine years, after a five-year stint with the City of Fort Worth’s Parks and Recreation Department.

“Chad has been a key member of the Carrollton team and was selected to complete Carrollton's leadership development program. Chad will bring a strong business sense, high level of integrity, and unwavering commitment to excellence both in quality and customer service,” said Mueller.

Hyde had a key role in the Carrollton department’s Park Master Plan and Strategic Business Plan and was instrumental in successfully guiding the department through a re-classification study, which changed job descriptions and pay scales for a number of employees. His analytical skills facilitated the evaluation and development of a major restructuring of both the maintenance and program staffs, resulting in a more efficient service delivery model.

“I believe Chad will provide a strong leadership presence in his department and be a natural fit into our management team. I am very excited for the future of our parks and recreation department,” added Mueller.

Hyde earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation and Leisure Services Management from Texas Tech University in Lubbock and carries a number of professional and industry certifications.

ABOUT LITTLE ELM – Little Elm is one of the state’s fastest growing communities. Nestled on the shores of Lake Lewisville, the Town was incorporated in 1966, adopting the Council/Manager form of government. The population increased dramatically over the last several years, growing from under 4,000 in 2000 to over 30,000 today. Little Elm’s population exceeds the state average in education and income, and is increasingly trending younger and technologically proficient. The Town’s footprint is just over 14 square miles and boasts some 66 linear miles of shoreline within its boundaries.