The operations manager for Horry County Parks and Recreation is being recognized by his peers for excellence in the parks and recreation field.
Jeff Bailey took home the Merit Award at the South Carolina Parks and Recreation Association Eastern District meeting on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Bailey first joined Horry County Government as a corrections officer at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center before transitioning to Parks and Recreation, where he has been apart of the team for the past six years.
Parks and Recreation Director Ray Dunham said Bailey’s prior experience in public safety prepared him well for a new role within the County.
“If you know Jeff, you know Jeff values and really puts forth recreation over incarceration,” Dunham quipped at Tuesday’s Infrastructure and Regulation meeting where Bailey was saluted by committee members.
Before his recent promotion to operations manager, Bailey was the supervisor in charge of afterschool, summer camp and Beyond the Bell programs.
Bailey’s current role sees him responsible for athletics, programs and activities at all County recreation centers.
Crediting the entire Parks and Recreation team for the award win, Bailey noted “making a great difference in the community” is what everyone in the department strives for.