New Los Alamos County Community Services Director Brian Brogan. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
For new Los Alamos County Community Services Director Brian Brogan, public service has been a lifelong career. He joined the County Jan. 17, following the retirement of Charlie Kalogeros-Chattan.
“I’ve always been attracted to recreation activities and the outdoors and getting people involved in the outdoors,” Brogan said during an interview today with the Los Alamos Daily Post.
In fact, he said, “I visited here a bunch” due to Los Alamos’ wide range of outdoor activities. “I love it here so when I saw the job opening I was excited for the opportunity. This community has fantastic natural resources. It also has done a really good job building amenities and it really has a great residential volunteer base and participant base.”
As the Community Services Director, Brogan oversees the library, parks, recreation and open space, social services and cultural services. He said he is meeting staff and external stakeholders to learn about each area of the department.
“I’m still evaluating and seeing what I can do to add value to the department and the county,” Brogan said, adding that he hopes to maintain and improve quality of life services.
Brogan not only brings a love of the outdoors and recreation to the position but also a wealth of experience. Born and raised in northwestern Washington, Brogan went to Washington State University where he earned a degree in recreation administration. He said that his college supervisor told him he was on track for a recreation degree and once he explained what that was, “I went for it.”
After graduating, Brogan worked for seven years in Camas, Wash., as the recreation coordinator. He operated the recreation program and aquatic center. Next, he worked for seven years in Hermiston, Ore., as the recreation supervisor. He handled all the recreation as well as the aquatics and some parks. Next, he moved to Morenci, Ariz., for five years to work as the community service director.
Outside the office, Brogan said he enjoys a plethora of outdoor activities including fly fishing, cycling, skiing and traveling. He lives in town with his wife and two sons who are in eighth and 10th grade.
