by Mike Conroy
As announced earlier this year, long-time Montgomery Village Foundation (MVF) employee Peggy Mark retired as of August 11, leaving after 41 years of service to Montgomery Village. After a lengthy search for her replacement and consideration of several top-tier candidates, Duncan Mullis was selected to continue the legacy Mark built, and take recreation activities to the next level.
Mullis, a Somerset County, England native, began his career as a lecturer of Sports and Exercise Science at Royal Forest of Dean College. He was following his passion at the time, after graduating from the University of Worcester with a degree in Sports and Exercise Science. During his time there, Mullis also ran the athletics department and managed the shared school facilities. This aspect really appealed to him and shifted his focus to programming and community recreation; he valued the service to the community.
After moving to the United States in 2010 with his wife, Mullis secured an internship with the Montgomery County Department of Recreation, in a capacity where he could learn about and pursue his new recreation passion. Soon thereafter, he was hired full-time by MVF as a Recreation Specialist.
Some residents may know Duncan from participating in programs that he previously ran. During his previous time with MVF he successfully started the MV Farmers’ Market and Futsal program; significantly increased the Seniors in Action offerings; worked camps and special events; and revived the Tennis Tournament. The initiatives he started all are thriving MVF programs and added benefits to the community.
Mullis left MVF to further expand his recreation base as a Recreation Coordinator II with the City of Rockville. In Rockville, he was in charge of the teen division and managed sports and summer programs. It was here that Mullis gained a new appreciation for youth program development, something he hopes to bring to the Village as well.
MVF was fortunate to hire Mullis back as the new Director of Recreation and Parks. Duncan brings not only a wealth of varied experience and enthusiasm, but also a Village resident perspective. He says about living in Montgomery Village, “while working here previously, I fell in love with the community and the amenities Village residents enjoy. Working here again provides me an opportunity to serve the community I live in and really make a difference.”
Along with an excitement for programming and service to the community, Mullis says he is eager to learn the parks, maintenance and facility aspects of this position. “I’m thrilled with what I’ve learned so far,” he says, “and this is a component I’m looking forward to taking on.”
Mullis says that although he really can’t beat the commute, he is most excited about working with the department and MVF staff to continue to make a difference for his neighbors and the community at large. Welcome (back), Duncan!