Prescott College ASK Career Network
Mentor Biography

Ethan Hipple, Wolfeboro, NH
Director of Parks and Recreation, Wolfeboro, NH

Professional Biography:
Ethan Hipple currently serves as the Director of Parks and Recreation in Wolfeboro, NH. He spent 10 years with the Student Conservation Association (SCA)—the last three years serving as Manager of the SCA New Hampshire Conservation Corps, an AmeriCorps National Service program. Prior to that, Ethan served as the Manager of SCA's Western High School conservation crew programs, as Hut Crew for the Appalachian Mountain Club's backcountry huts in the White Mountains, as a trail crew leader throughout the West, as an outdoor guide and leader for Prescott College and the San Francisco Police Department, as a camp counselor, and last but not least, as a rickshaw driver. Ethan holds a degree in Outdoor Experiential Education from Prescott College, Prescott , AZ. He's as happy cooking a delicious meal on a Sunday afternoon as rock climbing with his two kids Jackson and Tasha (six and four years old), or making music with friends.

Work Description:
Ethan oversees all aspects of the Wolfeboro Parks and Recreation Department including administartion, a $1M budget, maintenance and facilities, programs and public relations. His department oversees a small ski area, an ice arena, 3 beaches, 5 parks, Rail Trails, 40 town cemeteries and runs events ranging from the Annual Granite Man Triathlon to the 4th of July Fireworks. Ethan manages a department with 50 employees, an annual operating budget of $1M, and Capital projects budget of between $200K and $650K. His department manages trails, beaches, bike paths, athletic facilities, an ice arena, and one of America's oldest small ski areas.

How do you spend most of your time at your job?
Management, Operations

What are you most proud of in regard to your career history?
Resurrecting a vintage ski area, capital improvements in a small New Hampshire community.

What roadblocks did you encounter along your journey to find the right career?
Ethan segued directly from Prescott College into work that he loves.

Please list any professional organizations or board affiliations:
Friends of Abenaki, Wolfeboro Senior Center

Prescott College ASK Network Q & A
Q: Please list any professional organizations or board affiliations:
A:  National Recreation and Parks Association, Previous Prescott College Alumni Association Board member
Q: Please provide a listing of the UG School(s) you attended:
A: City College of San Francisco, Prescott College
Q: Please list your major(s)/concentration(s):
A: Outdoor Education
Q: What was your UG year of graduation at PC?
A: 2000