meet the staff

APRA supports over 2,750 members across the state of Arizona, with only three full time staff members. Thankfully, the association and staff are supported by countless volunteers, dedicated to the execution of events and programming; without them, success would not be possible.  



Executive Director

Kade Nelson


Kade is an accomplished professional with a background in recreation management and event coordination. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Parks, Recreation, Tourism, from the University of Utah and is a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP). Kade has served in pivotal roles throughout his career in the private, nonprofit, and government sectors and is eager to bring his diverse skill-set to the role of Executive Director.

Most recently Kade served as the Young Professional Chair for the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association (APRA) and worked for the Town of Fountain Hills as the Senior Recreation Coordinator. He considers himself fortunate to have been a part of the incredible team there that won the National Gold Medal in Parks and Recreation in 2022. During his time in Fountain Hills his sport programs were recognized with APRA awards in both 2021 and 2022.

As an avid Arizona sports fan, you will find Kade rooting for the Valley and playing a variety of sports in his free time. Kade also loves to travel and explore new places with his wife and their one year old daughter.
 


Program and Membership Coordinator
Joe Stubbins

Joe is a skilled professional with a background in parks and recreation management and special events. Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, Joe began his career with the Tucson Parks and Recreation Department in August of 2012, right out of high school. He quickly advanced within the department and spent the past six years as a Program Coordinator, overseeing numerous special events and activities, including the Tucson Senior Olympics Festival. 

Joe has also been actively involved with the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association since 2021. He served as a representative for the South Region on the APRA Young Professional Committee for two years, followed by two years as the elected Young Professional Chair on the APRA Board. In addition, he contributed to the APRA Awards Committee and the Programming Committee. Joe recently earned his Health and Wellness Specialist Certificate from Pima Community College in Tucson this past May. As the new Program and Membership Coordinator with APRA, Joe's personality and ability to network make him an ideal fit for the role. 

Joe loves all sports and enjoys playing in a numerous amount of sports leagues in his free time. He also loves outdoor recreation such as hiking, hunting and fishing. 


Marketing and Event Coordinator
Anahi Felix

Ecstatic to be joining APRA as the Marketing and Events Coordinator, Anahi has a deep passion for community and public service. She began her journey in Parks and Recreation with the City of Casa Grande at the age of 19 in 2021, where she discovered a love for recreation while serving as the Marketing and Events Aide alongside her incredible team. The impact of the programming on the Casa Grande community only fueled her passion for serving and continuing to grow her skills in the field. Her co-created program won the Outstanding Adaptive Recreation and Special Event awards for populations of 25,000 to 99,000 from APRA in 2023. With expertise in visuals, brand identity, strategic marketing, and event planning, Anahi looks forward to elevating APRA and its mission.

Anahi is on track to complete her Bachelor’s degree in Communications, followed by a Master’s degree in Public Relations. She is also the owner of a multimedia company that has contributed to successful political campaigns, lifestyle portraits, and small-business marketing since 2018. In her rare free time, Anahi enjoys live music shows, hiking, and traveling with her favorite people. As an Arizona native, she cherishes the beauty and vibrancy of her home state and is excited to continue contributing to its dynamic community.

12950 N 7th Street  |  Phoenix AZ 85022

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