Anthony-Paul (AP) Diaz is the Superintendent/Director of Seattle Parks and Recreation, managing 500 parks & art venues with a $1B budget while leading all governance and leadership matters related to the Park’s District Commission, City Council, City Attorney and Mayor’s Offices.
AP has over 25 years of professional experience and service. Prior to assuming his duties in Seattle he served as the Executive Officer of LA City Parks and was a City Attorney in the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office where he handled and litigated hundreds of matters in the Criminal Branch and as a specially assigned prosecutor in the City’s Neighborhood Prosecutor Program. Thereafter, he served in the Civil Division’s Municipal Law Branch as legal counsel to the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, and General Services Department and as lead contract counsel for the Los Angeles Police and Fire Departments. He also served as one of the principal City Attorneys assigned to advise and staff the Los Angeles City Council.
AP also served as General Counsel for LA Recreation and Parks, helping guide the Department on many high-profile and important endeavors, most notably the transformation, restoration, and management model for the historic and iconic Greek Theatre and the preparation of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
AP is a member of the NRPA Board of Directors & serves as an instructor at the NRPA Director’s School and on staff at various leadership academies teaching Adult Development Theory, Diversity & Cultural Awareness, Communication & Marketing, and Transformational Leadership.
AP is Judge Pro Tem for the Los Angeles Superior Court and is a member of the California State Bar.
AP is a member of the Seattle Sports Commission and an Ex Officio board member on the Seattle Zoo, Aquarium, Seattle Art Museum & the Washington Arboretum boards. He also is an Executive Board member for World Urban Parks.
AP was born in Hollywood and raised in Santa Monica, CA. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in International Politics from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, Washington DC, a Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, and a Spanish language proficiency designation from the Universidad de Sevilla in Spain.
