Special to Independent Newsmedia

Donna Miller was promoted to serve as the city of Surprise’s Community and Recreation Services director.

Ms. Miller joined the CRS team in 2002 as a recreation coordinator and rose to the rank of assistant director in 2011. She most recently served as acting CRS director following the death of former CRS Director Mark Coronado.

Ms. Miller has 24 years of experience working in parks and recreation programming, including previous recreation employment with the city of Peoria, before coming to Surprise. She began her career in public service as a lifeguard in Peoria.

“Donna’s knowledge of and experience with our city’s recreation program is far-reaching,” said City Manager Bob Wingenroth. “She played an instrumental role in the development of our award-winning recreation campus and the many recreation amenities and community events that have been created over the past 15 years.

“She is an extraordinary servant leader who continuously demonstrates what is possible when you serve with your team and community in mind.”

Mark Coronado, 59, Surprise Community and Recreation Services director since 2000, died June 15.

Mr. Coronado served as CRS director until early this year when complications from cancer and diabetes forced him to take a leave of absence.

He spearheaded the planning Surprise Stadium, opening in 2003 as the spring home of the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers, and the rest of the recreation campus, including the Surprise Aquatic Center, Northwest Regional Library, Surprise Community Park and Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex.

Ms. Miller will continue to manage all recreational programming, city parks, aquatics, library services, community/sports tourism special events, recreational facility development, spring training operations and national/international tennis events.

She has a bachelor’s in Recreation from Arizona State University.

Ms. Miller’s annual salary will be $150,093.

See: Cactus League, recreation visionary Coronado dies at 59.