Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - He's only been on the job for a week, but as the new Syracuse parks superintendent, Mike Hixenbaugh, 26, already knows what two of his long-term goals are.
Priority No. 1 is funding and building the community center. No. 2 is the renovation and continued maintenance of the Syracuse parks and playgrounds.
"I'm sure the list is a lot bigger than those two things," he said.
He's still going through files, assessing information and meeting people, so the complete list is yet to be determined.
"I'm still trying to get an idea of what they are going to be," he said.
Hixenbaugh assumed his duties Jan. 24.
Born and raised in Granger, he received his master's degree in parks and recreation from Western Illinois University. He earned his bachelor of science degree in business from Indiana University-South Bend, with an emphasis in marketing.
He was the assistant area supervisor for parks and recreation of the Parish of East Baton Rouge, La. His responsibilities there included supervising three community centers, a BMX track and an in-line skate park.
For three main reasons, he decided to apply for and accept the job in Syracuse.
"It's a chance for me to be at the ground level," he said. "I know about the community center and I'm excited about that."
The job also will allow him to expand his role from his previous job and to be closer to family. He has family in the South Bend and Fort Wayne areas.
"I am familiar with the area. My brother used to have a house on Lake Wawasee," he said. "There's a lot of good people in Syracuse."
Single, he has found an apartment to call home. In his free time, he enjoys running and playing the guitar.
Asked about being only 26 and a superintendent, he said, "I really don't think about my age. I have a job to do, I work hard and that's the bottom line. I have a lot of energy."
