The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved Jeff Peters as the county’s new Facility and Parks Director during their meeting Tuesday morning.

• Peters, who recently submitted his resignation as Fort Walton Beach city manager, brings nearly two decades of recreation and facility management experience to his new role overseeing the county’s parks system.

“I’m excited that he’s coming on board,” Commissioner Trey Goodwin said, recalling his experience working with Peters over a decade ago while serving on the Fort Walton Beach City Council.

Goodwin shared how Peters first proposed the consolidation of city recreation facilities and what would become the Preston Hood Athletic Complex. 

• “I was a little hesitant because it was spending money,” Goodwin said. “Jeff got his city truck, picked me up and we drove around for a day. We visited every facility, every park that the city of Fort Walton had. We walked through it, looked at all the good, the bad, the ugly, and talked through the situation and he sold me on it. Since then, it’s really proved to be a big benefit for the city.”

Peters began his career with Fort Walton Beach in 2006 as recreation director before becoming city manager in 2022. During his tenure, he spearheaded numerous projects including Sound Park, City Hall Athletic Complex, Ferry Park amenities, and the construction of 24 pickleball courts.

Deputy County Administrator Craig Coffey highlighted Peters’ extensive experience managing complex operations, noting his oversight of 320 employees and seven departments as city manager.

• “He comes to us with a wealth of knowledge, grew up here, and so it’s exciting to welcome him to our team of qualified directors,” Coffey said.

Vice-Chair Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel praised Peters’ track record with recreation projects, particularly pointing to his work with pickleball facilities. “You’ve got 20 covered courts down there, and I hope we can replicate some of that in the county,” she said.

In his new role, Peters will oversee nearly 50 county parks and various county-owned facilities, including airports and other properties under the Board of County Commissioners.

“My passion has always been recreation,” Peters said in a recent interview about the move. “This opportunity with Okaloosa County is something that is right up my alley and something that I feel is an important move for me and my family.”

Peters requested to remain involved with The Landing Park renovations, the new Indian Temple Mound Museum, and Liza Jackson Park projects, which are partially funded with county dollars.