An nine-member parks and recreation advisory committee (RAC) provides guidance for the Statesboro-Bulloch Parks and Recreation Department. The board members are appointed by the Bulloch County Commission and serve four-year terms. The board is made up of citizens throughout Bulloch County, each having a common interest in providing the best parks and recreation services possible to the citizens of Bulloch County.

Meetings are held the third Thursday of each month at Noon in the Honey Bowen Building.

Tim Robbins serves as Chairman of the Recreation Advisory Committee. Tim is an Estimator with Statesboro Floor Covering. He has served on the Recreation Advisory Committee for 6 years. Tim is active in this community through various organizations. In addtion to RAC, Tim serves as President of the Sinkhole Hunting Club, Vice-President of the Georgia Hunting and Fishing Federation, and is a Southeast Bulloch Booster. Tim also coaches Rec Department Football and Baseball and is a member of Trinity Baptist Church. Tim and his wife, Connie, have two children: Nikki and Tyler.

Velma S. Burden has been a member of the Recreation Advisory Committee for one year. She earned a BA from Winston Salem State University and an M. Ed. from Ohio University. Velma is currently the Assistant Registrar for Graduations and Records at Georgia Southern University. In addition to serving on the RAC, Velma is also a member of several other civic organizations and committees in Statesboro. She is a member of the Statesboro Alumnus Chapter or Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and attends Elm Street Church of God. Velma and her husband Willie have two sons, Willie Jr. and Freddie. In her spare time, Velma likes to walk, travel and spend time with her family.

Hadley Campbell has served on the Recreation Advisory Committee for 4 years. Hadley is a sales rep for Coastal Sash & Door. He is a 1976 graduate of Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor of Arts in History. Hadley is the Director of the Downtown Rotary Club of Statesboro, President of the Averitt STARS Community Theater, and on the Finance Committee at Pittman Park United Methodist Church. In addition to being a RAC member, Hadley has coached Rec. Dept. teams for more than 15 years, is a past United Way and Habitat for Humanity volunteer, and a GSU Academic & Athletic Booster. Hadley's hobbies include going to the beach, acting a singing, working in the yard and garden, and GSU sports. Hadley and his wife, Beverly, have a large family with three children: Jennifer, Jeff and Matthew, as well as one grandchild, Kate.

Earl Donaldson has served on the Recreation Advisory Committee for 4 years. He is a retired Statesboro High teacher and now spends his time coaching football, basketball, and track at Portal Middle and High School. Earl has a Master's Degree in Education and also holds certification in Health and Physical Education. In addition to serving on the RAC, Earl serves on the Trustee and Deacon Boards at the Historical First African Missionary Baptist Church. He is also a member of the Georgia Retired Educators Association and the Bulloch County Retired Teachers Association. Earl is very much involved with this community as a coach, teacher and as a motivator. His hobbies include reading, poetry, jogging, mountain climbing, sports and Kayaking. Earl and his wife, Pamela, have two children--Candice and Christopher.

Karen Doty has served on the Recreation Advisory Committee for 7 years. She lives with her two sons, Morgan and Trent. Karen graduated from the University of Kentucky and then moved to Georgia. She has lived in Statesboro 16 years. She has remained a student at Georgia Southern University most of this time. She earned her doctorate degree in Curriculum Studies in August 2001. She is a member of numerous educational organizations and honor societies. Karen is currently principal at Langston Chapel Elementary School. Karen is a member of the Georgia Association of Education, and is also a National Board Certified Teacher Leader and continues to work to help other teachers earn this certification. She works with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission and state department in order to improve public education and assist colleges prepare teachers. Karen also serves as an academic and athletic booster for Williams James Middle School, Statesboro High School and Langston Chapel Elementary School. Karen's boys are active in athletics with William James Middle School and Statesboro High School, as well as with premier soccer teams. She is an avid supporter of their efforts. She is also an active member of Pittman Park United Methodist Church. Karen likes to read, walk and travel in her spare time.

Mark Hynko has been a part of the Recreation Advisory Committee for 4 years. Mark is the Senior Vice President at Farmers and Merchants Bank in Statesboro. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Georgia Southern College. Mark serves as President of the Exchange Club of Statesboro and is also involved in the community through Leadership Bulloch, Leadership Southeast Georgia, and as a volunteer for the Statesboro-Bulloch Parks and Recreation Department. Mark enjoys hunting and fishing in his spare time. Mark and his wife, Lorna, have two sons--Ryan and Justin.

Tony Natson is serving his first year on the Recreation Advisory Committee.  He is lifelong resident of Bulloch County, Georgia.  He attended Statesboro High School where he was a three year letterman in football and baseball, and track.  He also attended Georgia Southern University where he lettered for the Georgia Southern Eagles under the direction of Coach Erk Russell.  He has earned a Bachelor of Business Administration, a Masters Degree in Middle Grades Mathematics, and an Education Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Georgia Southern University.  He has served on the Georgia Professional Standards Commission which oversees teacher certification. Currently, he is the Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at William James Middle School.  As Athletic Director, he is actively involved in the athletic programs offered at William James Middle School. Tony and his wife, Janice, have two children Sa’Sha and Sherrod.  He enjoys spending time with his family, working in his yard and fishing in his spare time.

Beth Sands is a new 2008 Recration Advisory Committee member. Beth grew up in Dekalb County. She is very athletic--playing sports all of her life. Her concentration has been on fast pitch softball, of which she earned a scholarship to Georgia Southern as catcher and played from 1987 to 1991. GSU is where she met her Statesboro-native husband, Dub, who was in the Marine Corps at the time. Beth and Dub married in 1992. Beth graduated from GSU with a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation. She then moved to South Carolina to attend graduate school at Winthrop University and serve as the Grad. Assistant Coach for the softball team, while earning a Masters Degree in Counseling and Development. While Dub attended UGA, Beth started her own fast pitch softball business instructing catchers and hitters in and around the Atlanta area. Beth and Dub have 2 children--Daniel and Mikay. Beth is a devoted wife, proud mother and energetic career Volunteer. The Sands' are active members of First Baptist Church where they are involved with the college ministry and Vacation Bible School. One of Beth's favorite things to do is teach the Water Aerobics class at Splash in the Boro year round. She also enjoys running, krav maga, other sports activities and of course, wathcing any and all GSU athletic events and spending at much time at the beach! Beth volunteers at Sallie Z and at Langston Chapel Middle School where her children attend. She has coached all of the sports her children have participated in--including cheerleading--with the exception of Football. I also instruct the summer softball clinic at the Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks and Recreation Department.

Warren Ward has served on the Recration Advisory Committee for 6 years. Warren grew up north of Macon in a town called Gray, GA. He attended Jones High School and later went on to receive his Bachelors Degree from St. Louis University and his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Logan College of Chiropractics in St. Louis. Warren and his wife, Diane, moved to Statesboro in 1990, and they have two children-Katie, 14 and Jacob, 10. Warren and his business, Ward Chiropractic Center, are regular sponsors of SBCPRD teams. Warren is Past President and Board Member for Joseph's Home for Boys. He also enjoys spending time with his family, fishing and working on his golf game.

Honey Bowen, Emeritus