During the annual Arizona Parks and Recreation Association awards ceremony, Queen Creek Recreation Manager Erica Perez received the Outstanding Professional of the Year Award.

The award honors an individual with at least 10 years of experience as a leader who exemplifies outstanding service and contributions to the profession, according to a press release from the town.

“We are incredibly proud of Erica,” Queen Creek Mayor Julia Wheatley stated in the release. “It has been so fun to see her grow as a professional and help grow the programs she oversees. Parks and recreation opportunities are so important for the community – they help increase the quality of life and maintain our hometown atmosphere, and Erica is actively involved in all of these efforts.” 

Perez started working for the town in 2007 as a senior recreation technician. In 2009, she accepted a position with the city of Casa Grande as a recreation coordinator. Perez returned to Queen Creek in September 2014 as a recreation coordinator for special events. 

“Erica Perez embodies the spirit of an exceptional parks and recreation professional. Her dedication extends far beyond traditional roles,” stated Queen Creek Parks & Recreation Director Adam Robinson. “Erica demonstrates exceptional leadership qualities; she has led the department to new heights, and we are so fortunate to have her as our recreation manager. Erica Perez is the quintessential parks and recreation professional.”

As the recreation manager, Perez oversees the recreation division including special events and programming. She has been active in the recent opening of Frontier Family Park and the town’s first recreation and aquatic center, slated to open in 2025.

She has held a number of leadership roles within APRA and earned here bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation management from Arizona State University.

Perez is also a certified parks and recreation professional, has her aquatics facility operator certification and is a certified festival and event associate.