Kentucky man to become Mill Creek MetroParks executive director

CANFIELD — Mill Creek MetroParks commissioners have tapped a Kentucky man as the park system’s new executive director.

Commissioners were to announce that David Imbrogno will take over the position Oct. 1.

Susan Dicken, executive director for about five years, is retiring Sept. 28.

From 1995 to 2007, Imbrogno served as executive director of Bernheim Forest, a 14,000-acre facility near Louisville, Ky.

Bernheim Forest includes a nationally recognized garden and arboretum, an award-winning visitor center, innovative indoor and outdoor exhibits, 30 miles of hiking trails and large areas of scenic natural and research forest.

During Imbrogno’s tenure, more than 350 acres were added to the forest and its artist-in-residence program grew from one to as many as four artists annually who work in all media and come from all over the world.

Other positions

Previously, Imbrogno served as executive director for the Nature Center at Shaker Lanes in Cleveland. During his 11 years as assistant director for the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History and its 10,000-acre Edge of Appalachia Preserve System, he helped guide the transition of the traditional museum into the Cincinnati Museum Center, a $60 million project bringing together three museums and an Omnimax Theater. The facility is housed in a historic, art deco railway station with 11 acres under roof.

Imbrogno also served for 10 years with the Hamilton County, Ohio, Park District where he became assistant chief naturalist.

He has led trips and expeditions in India, China, Indonesia, Africa, Peru, Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands, Mexico, the Caribbean and Alaska. He also serves as on-board naturalist for the Delta Queen Steamboat Company’s fall color cruises.

He has done waterfowl banding, participated in archaeologist research and recently spent a month in India on a staff exchange. He has raised racing pigeons and chickens used in television and print ads.

His photography has been published and exhibited nationally.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in natural resources from the University of Cincinnati with additional study in science education from other institutions.

According to the job advertisement posted by park commissioners in July, the position pays about $83,300 annually.