SILVER SPRING, MD—Montgomery Parks, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) announced two new appointments today: John Nissel, formerly Chief of the Facilities Management Division, was selected for the position of Deputy Director for Operations, and Captain Antonio DeVaul was named Chief of the Maryland-National Capital Park Police, Montgomery County Division. DeVaul has been Acting Chief since May of this year.
“John Nissel and Chief Antonio DeVaul have proven their dedication to our parks and the communities they serve. Both men bring outstanding leadership skills and an unparalleled work ethic to the department,” said Mary Bradford, Director of Montgomery County Department of Parks. “The competition for these positions was very tough, with many outstanding applicants. I look forward to working closely with them to continue the high standards we expect in Montgomery Parks.”
John Nissel; Deputy Director for Operations, M-NCPPC Montgomery Parks
As deputy director, John Nissel oversees the management of Department of Parks field operations, including organizing and directing the work programs of five operational divisions. He is responsible for all trades, mechanics, masons, carpenters, maintenance staff for all 417 parks, arborist and horticultural operations, public and community gardens, revenue-producing facilities such as ice rinks and indoor tennis centers, nature centers, and environmental education.
Nissel joined Montgomery Parks in March 2009 as Chief of the Facilities Management Division, overseeing the department’s building trades, fleet and residential and commercial properties—including maintenance and leasing. Before joining Montgomery Parks, he held several positions of increasing responsibility at the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington, including vice president of property and facilities and central purchasing; director of business development and central purchasing; and associate executive director for the national capital branch of the organization. He also previously worked for the National Park Service and Fairfax County Park Authority.
Nissel holds Emergency Management Systems certification from FEMA, and is a member of various organizations including the National Parks and Recreation Association, Frostburg State University Recreation and Parks Advisory Board and the Knights of Columbus. He graduated from Shepherd University and lives in Frederick with his wife and two children.
Antonio DeVaul; Chief of Montgomery County Division of the Maryland-National Capital Park Police
Chief Antonio DeVaul, a 19-year veteran of the Park Police (in both Montgomery and Prince George’s County Divisions) oversees a staff of 113 including more than 20 command and supervisory personnel. The command staff is responsible for the supervision of police personnel and the implementation of the operational programs, policies and objectives of the agency.
During his tenure with Park Police, Chief DeVaul has served in or supervised in every section, including assignments as Assistant Chief, Field Operations; Assistant Chief, Support Operations; Community Services Commander; Patrol Commander; SERT Commander; Operations Duty Officer; Manager of Staff Services; Manager of Technical Services; Patrol Sergeant; Police Activities (PAL) Supervisor; Patrol Officer; and Field Training Officer.
Chief DeVaul has received numerous commendations and awards from the community, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, and other government agencies and organizations, including the Silver Star for Valor, the Bronze Star for Life Saving, Police Officer of the Year, Governor’s Citation, and the United States Congress Proclamation. He is a graduate of several police executive courses including the Session XXI of the Maryland Leadership Challenge, the Penn State Police Executive Development Program, the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions’ Foundations of Leadership Executive Course, the FBI Greater Chesapeake Law Enforcement Executive School, and the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association Law Enforcement Executive Officer Program. He is also a graduate of the Impact Silver Spring Leadership Development Program.
Chief DeVaul is a member of the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). He is also an active member of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s Diversity Council, the Montgomery County Emergency Management Group, and the Montgomery County Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee.
He is a life-long Montgomery County resident, attended Montgomery County Public Schools and graduated from the University of Maryland in College Park. He currently lives in Rockville with his wife and three youngest children. He also has two adult children.