Jason Shamblin is the Director of Ottawa County Parks & Recreation, where he leads the stewardship of 42 properties and 7,700 acres of parks, open spaces and natural areas across Ottawa County.
Growing up on a 150-acre farm in southeastern Ohio, Jason developed an early connection to the outdoors. While traditional academics didn’t always come easily, 4-H gave him a place to build confidence, develop leadership skills and discover his strengths. Hands-on learning eventually led him to study natural resources and recreation and begin a career that combined his passion for the outdoors with public service.
Jason’s career has spanned outdoor education, municipal parks and recreation, and county park systems in Ohio before bringing him to West Michigan. Along the way, he learned the importance of seeking out strong mentors, building trust, listening to feedback and creating environments where people with different strengths and working styles can thrive.
Today, Jason approaches his role as both a leader and a steward—balancing conservation with public access while planning for the long-term needs of a growing community. Whether protecting natural resources, expanding opportunities for people to experience the outdoors or developing the next generation of environmental stewards, Jason believes leadership is ultimately about leaving the people, places and organizations entrusted to you better for those who come next.
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