Born and raised in south Jersey, Dee made her way down south via East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C. After completing her B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation in 1986, she came to Lakeshore Rehabilitation Hospital for her internship. After the internship and a brief stay at Lakeshore, her first job was developing the Activity Therapy Department for Baptist Montclair’s Psychiatric Unit. She then returned to rehabilitation with Lakeshore, where she worked with a wide variety of physical disabilities for 4 years. Nearly 15 years ago, she was fortunate to be hired by the City of Hoover Parks and Recreation Department. Initially she was a Class Coordinator and was then given the Senior Adult Program. With the real passion being working with individuals with disabilities, Dee was able to develop and implement the Therapeutic Recreation Program, now known as EXPLORE. Dee maintains her status as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist along with the Parks and Recreation Professional Certification. Dee is the only parks and recreation professional in the state holding both of these certifications. | 
