Chinn Aquatics & Fitness Center’s Jamaal Hines Receives NRPA’s 30 Under 30 Recognition 

Jamaal Hines pictured above in April 2023 with Lead Counselors at Chinn (L-R) Joslynn Hairston, Olivia Sparks, (Jamaal Hines) and Joslin Wilson

Originally from Augusta County, Virginia, Recreational Senior Specialist Jamaal Hines was recognized as one of 30 of the top young professionals under the age of 30 for 2024, by the National Recreation and Park Association. The 30 Under 30 recognition program is a joint effort that began in 2021 by the NRPA Young Professional Network and Parks & Recreation magazine. It honors 30 of the top professionals who serve as everyday champions in their communities. Hines currently works as the program manager of children’s programs at Chinn Aquatics & Fitness Center in Woodbridge.  

“The young people are my motivation,” says Hines. “Creating a safe space for young people to play, study, compete, collaborate and grow as young individuals.”

Prior to coming to Prince William County Parks and Recreation, he worked as the after-school director/building coordinator at Lake Braddock Secondary School, where he was responsible for the coordination of all after-school activities and the coordination of all building use for internal and external groups. 

“I like providing opportunities for young people to use their individual skills to overcome challenges and set achievable goals, and helping to instill life skills through positive programming that can be taken from our activities and applied to other areas of life such as at home, in class and in the workplace”, says Hines. “I also appreciate doing what I love for a living to provide for my family at home.”

Hines, who has been with Prince William County Parks and Recreation since the spring of 2023 received his undergrad degree from Old Dominion University and then his master’s degree in Sport and Recreation Management from Northern Illinois University. In 2017, he was the recipient of the Recreational Intern Fellowship with the Park District of Oak Park in Illinois. As an intern, he served as the managerial understudy of the executive director. 

Since moving back to Virginia in 2018, he has served for a number of agencies – working both for NOVA Parks and Fairfax County Government. 

When asked what he enjoys most about working for PWC Parks and Recreation, he says, “Our team is my favorite part. From the support and guidance that I have received from our Deputy Director, Janet Bartnik, to the leadership of our County Manager of Children’s Programs, Ryan Amato and my General Manager at Chinn, Kat Fish – I feel like I have been setup for success in my role with the county and have ample opportunity to grow within the agency.”

“At the center level, my lead counselors and camp counselors are a pleasure to work with as we share the same passion for youth development through positive recreation programming,” Hines adds. “PWC DPR has been a family away from my family at home. I look forward to seeing the new heights that we can take the children’s programs to in the future!”

As for future goals, Hines has many. He says he’d like to achieve his Certified Parks and Recreation Professional certification this year; increase the overall attendance of children’s programs at Chinn (back to pre-COVID attendance); join additional coalitions and committees for Virginia Recreation and Park Society and NRPA and continue to move up the professional ranks within the field of parks and recreation.

Thankful for his own professional experiences and opportunities, Hines also looks forward to providing training opportunities for staff to ensure they are developing professionally and actively learning how to offer the most beneficial/positive programs for the community’s young people.

When he’s not working, Hines enjoys spending time with his family—his fiancée Leslie, their newborn son Jamaal, Jr. and their two older children, Anthony and Sophia, as well as their “one spoiled Cavapoo” named Louie. His favorite recreation activities are golfing, fishing and coaching basketball at Lake Braddock Secondary.