New Interim DPR Director Named with Other Departmental Changes

Posted: May 16, 2023.

Administrative changes in Mayor Muriel Bowser's government include an Interim Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR).

Thennie Freeman was named to that post on April 7, to replace Delano Hunter, the former DPR director, who was named Acting Director of the Department of General Services on March 31.

Freeman is relatively new to DPR, and joined the department only in "late 2022" according to the Mayor's announcement, as Deputy Director of Recreation Services. She holds bachelor and master of arts degrees from the University of the District of Columbia, and has worked for the district government since 2008, first in the school department, and then, for eleven years, in the Department of Employment Services, where she was director of youth programs.

She will be the third head of DPR since Mayor Bowser took office in January 2015. Keith Anderson, her first DPR director, was made director of DGS in December 2018. He was named Interim Deputy Major for Planning and Development on March 17 of this year to replace John Falcicchio, who resigned that position unexpectedly.

Ms. Freeman is the ninth head of DPR since Friends of Francis Field was founded in October 2007. Since then, the average length of service in that position has been 20.3 months. Director Hunter served 43 months.