KANNAPOLIS – Three city employees have been elected to leadership positions in their respective professional organizations.

Gary Mills, director of parks and recreation, was elected president of the North Carolina Recreation and Parks Association.

NCRPA represents more than 3,400 parks and recreation professionals and more than 230 municipal and county agencies across the state.  Founded in 1944, the association is a nonprofit education and advocacy organization dedicated to the advancement of the parks, recreation and leisure professions in the state.

“I am incredibly honored to be elected by my peers to serve in such a prestigious position in what I believe is the best organization in the state,” Mills said. “Parks and recreation is such an important part of the community, not only providing leisure opportunities and wonderful parks but also by creating incredible economic impact to the region through the development of parks, special events and recreational programs.”

Mills has served as director of parks and recreation for 17 years in Kannapolis and has more than 27 years in the profession across the state. He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from N.C. State University and holds numerous professional certifications. He will serve the association for the next two years.

Tina Cline, director of human resources, has been elected an officer on the board of the North Carolina chapter of the International Public Management Association for Human Resources. She has previously served as a board member and membership chairwoman of the organization.

The association is for public-sector human resources professionals. The North Carolina chapter includes human resources professionals from government agencies as well as government-funded agencies, organizations, and medical and educational institutions across the state.

IPMA has provided opportunities for HR professionals to exchange information and ideas and participate in professional development activities for over 20 years.

Cline has been the human resources director in Kannapolis for 22 years and has worked in human resources for a total of 28 years. She received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Pfeiffer University and has completed numerous professional certificate programs related to her field.

Annette Privette Keller, director of communications for the city, has been elected to the board of the National City-County Communications & Marketing Association.

The organization is a network of city and county government communicators. It was founded in 1988 on the philosophy that communications and marketing are essential to help governments build stronger relationships with residents.

The organization provides professional development for hundreds of communicators across the U.S. on how to effectively communicate with and engage citizens, as well as to promote innovative ways to tell the stories of local government.

Keller has been with the city of Kannapolis for three years and has worked in government communications for 20 years. She received her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her master’s degree in public administration from UNC-Charlotte. She also holds numerous certificates in career-related subjects.