Boulder County names Therese Glowacki (Senegal) to head Parks and Open Space Department

Boulder County commissioners announced Monday that they have named Therese Glowacki to be the county Parks and Open Space Department’s director, effective Aug. 23.

Glowacki, a member of the Parks and Open Space staff since 1999, is currently manager of the department’s Resource Management Division. Her appointment will fill the vacancy created when former department director Eric Lane resigned earlier this year. She was a Peace Corps Agriculture Volunteer in Senegal 1983-86, former HQ Staff and Madagascar Staff 1994-96.

“I am very excited to lead the department on our diversity and climate action goals, while supporting the bedrock work of the department providing the best in public service in all we do,” Glowacki said in the county’s Monday news release announcing her appointment.

The Board of County Commissioners is to take official action on Glowacki’s appointment at the board’s Tuesday morning business meeting.

As head of the Parks and Open Space Department’s Resource Management Division, Glowacki has been responsible for leading the division and coordinating integrated restoration projects in forestry, grasslands, stream, and wetland ecosystems, including emergency restoration for Cal-Wood, Four Mile, Overland and Walker Ranch fires and the 2013 flood.

County officials said in their news release and an email to county staff on Monday that “in addition to this strong technical background, Therese brings experience in financial and personnel management at Boulder County, and is familiar with the department’s successes and challenges, processes and procedures, and internal and external partnerships. She brings a strong vision for the future of Parks and Open Space and will immediately and effectively take over important efforts related to strategic planning, environmental stewardship, and equity and inclusion, all while continuing to guide the department in providing excellent public service safely during this pandemic.”

Before joining the Boulder County staff in 1999, Glowacki served in the United States Peace Corps as an associate director and a forestry specialist in Madagascar 1994-96. She was a PCV in Senegal from 1983-86. She has a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master of science in forest management.

Since Lane’s April 28 resignation, two other Parks and Open Space staff members, Real Estate Division Manager Janis Whisman and Resource Planning Manager Jeff Moline, have served as interim co-managers of the department. County officials said Monday that Moline’s and Whisman’s interim appointments will continue until Glowacki’s April 23 start date.

The county also oversees more than 110 miles of trails, as well as the Boulder County Fairgrounds at 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont; the Agricultural Heritage Center at 8348 Ute Highway west of Longmont; the Nederland Mining Museum, 200 N. Bridge St., Nederland; and the James F. Bailey Assay Office Museum, 6352 Fourmile Canyon Drive.