Mr. Bailey started with the City of Laurel's Department of Parks and Recreation in 1983 as an Auxiliary Employee working as a League Supervisor and Park Maintenance Worker. In 1985, he was hired full-time as a Recreation Leader that included the responsiblity for overseeing the Department's Adult Sports Leagues and assisting with other recreational needs such as the Laurel Municipal Pool, special events and senior programming.

In 1993, Mr. Bailey was promoted to Recreation Facility Manager. This promotion was in conjunction with the opening of the Laurel Community Center and he worked closely with various contractors to put the finishing touches on the new facility. In addition to working with the contractors, he was responsible for the purchasing of the building’s equipment, tables and chairs, office furnishings, hiring staff and establishing center procedures. He continued to manage the center for the next eight years.

In 2001, Mr. Bailey was promoted to Superintendent of Parks and Facilities where he oversaw the maintenance and upkeep of all the city’s buildings and grounds. This position was responsible for the day-to-day operations and staffing of all city buildings for staff use, rental use and special events. This position regularly met with contractors and prepared bids for projects.

Mr. Bailey also oversaw the Department's fleet and park equipment and supervised the maintenance staff of full- and part-time staff.  

In 2016, he became the Assistant Director of Parks and Facilities and was responsible for the maintenance division of the Department and was the primary backup in the absence of the Director. I have led many building renovations to include, the Laurel Armory and the Parks and Recreation Maintenance Complex.        

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Bailey managed the day-to-day operations of the maintenance staff as they purchased PPE supplies, kept the essential buildings up and sanitized for the essential personnel who continued to work. The Department of Parks and Recreation became the main hub for all PPE equipment and supplies. In coordination with Administrative Staff, our Department made accommodations throughout City Buildings to maintain proper distancing as required by CDC guidelines. While working with outside vendors, he was able to retrofit all the City's HVAC units with new UV light, upgraded filters and adjusted outside air intakes to improve building ventilation.

Mr. Bailey is a detailed and organized individual, that is fair, dependable and hardworking, and who leads by example. He has grown up and lived in Laurel his whole life and has always given back to the community through playing and coaching sports, which he continues to do to this day.

Education

• Laurel High School
• Bachelor of Science, Recreation Administration
  • University of Maryland, 1989

City Honors

• 1990 – Outstanding City Employee
• 1996 – Meritorious Service Award
• 2004 – Employee of the Year Award
• 2007 – Employee of the Year Award
• 2011 – Meritorious Service Award
• 2016 – Kristie M. Mills – Leadership Award

City Committees Served

• Risk Management Committee
• Accident Review Committee
• Tree Board
• Environmental Affairs