Jonathon “J.P.” Penn is working to meet the recreational needs of residents in Henry County in the coming years.

  Penn, of Hampton, was recently named the county’s Cluster Leader for Leisure Services. He will oversee Henry County Parks and Recreation, Senior Services, and Extension Services departments.

  “I am looking forward to providing and implementing new ideas and thoughts to create an enhanced quality of life for the residents of Henry County,” said Penn. “I look to accomplish completing and implementing a five-year Comprehensive Master Plan to address all of the parks and facilities in Henry County.”

  Penn earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Morehouse College in Atlanta. He has worked in the parks and recreation arena since 2007, serving most recently as the director of that department for the city of East Point.

  Penn, a member of the National Recreation and Parks Association and the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, is certified by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government’s Management Development Training Program at the University of Georgia, and the George Harrison Executive

Management School. He also holds a certification from North Carolina State University NRPA Directors School.

  Penn said he plans to work toward implementing a process for obtaining certification for his department by the national Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies. He also hopes to launch new technology, strategies, and processes “to increase efficiency and enhance the amenities for the residents of Henry County while providing a higher quality of life.”