LOS ANGELES PARKS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
For Immediate Release
The Los Angeles Parks Foundation, created in 2008 as a California not-for-profit, to enhance, expand, preserve, and promote public recreation, parks, and open space for the diverse people of Los Angeles, has selected Anthony “Tony” Budrovich as its next Executive Director. Mr. Budrovich begins his new role on June 20th.
Mr. Budrovich has had a distinguished career as a non-profit and amusement park executive, most recently spending eight years as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Catalina Island Conservancy, where he oversaw a staff of 110. During his tenure, he increased visitor attendance from 23,500 to 240,000 annually and grew the annual budget from $9.3M in 2015 to $15.6M in 2023.
Prior to the Catalina Island Conservancy, Mr. Budrovich was the Deputy Director and Senior Vice President, Operations of the California Science Center. Among his notable achievements, he was responsible for the construction, opening and display of the ($7M) Space Shuttle Endeavor exhibit.
Budrovich said, “I am honored and excited to join the distinguished Board of Directors, passionate staff, and financial supporters of the Los Angeles Parks Foundation. As a person who grew up in LA parks, my love of parks, open spaces and conservation motivates me as the new Executive Director. Parks are a valued recreational resource to escape and recharge from a busy world. I look forward to working closely with the community and city to enhance, envision and promote our more than 450 parks.”
Budrovich succeeds Carolyn Ramsay, who has served as the Executive Director since 2018. Ramsay succeeded founding Executive Director, Judith Kieffer. Ramsay is retiring and moving to New York City after more than 30 years as an L.A. resident. The Los Angeles Business Journal recently named her its Nonprofit Executive of the Year among Mid-sized Organizations.
“I am proud to have served as executive director of the foundation for the past five years, to have raised more than $12.5 million for direct improvements to city parks, to have launched the Park Forest initiative and planted 24 forests in parks throughout the city and to have kept the organization strong through the COVID19 pandemic,” said Executive Director Carolyn Ramsay. “I am now thrilled to welcome Tony as our next leader and am confident that he will ensure that the organization continues to grow and thrive.”
The Los Angeles Parks Foundation enlisted search firm Berkhemer Clayton to find Ramsay’s replacement. Foundation Board Chair David Nickoll said, “We were encouraged by the breadth and depth of the candidates who applied to join our organization. Mr. Budrovich distinguished himself as a strong, experienced leader who can help us increase our fundraising and mentor our talented, young staff. We will miss Carolyn greatly, but we are grateful for her successful tenure as well as her role in helping us find an accomplished successor who will help us grow the organization.”
The Los Angeles Parks Foundation was founded by Barry Sanders and has raised over $46M to support L.A. City Parks. Mr. Budrovich is only the third Parks Foundation Executive Director during its existence.