Oxnard, CA. – Oxnard announced the appointment of Terrel Harrison as Oxnard’s new Cultural and Community Services Director effective today, May 20, 2019.
Mr. Harrison has been an employee of the City of Oxnard for over 32 years in different capacities. He began his career as a Recreation Leader I and worked his way up the ranks as a Recreation Leader II/III, Recreation Coordinator, Recreation Supervisor and most recently the Community Services Manager. Mr. Harrison has served as the Interim Cultural and Community Services Director since September 2018.
“Mr. Harrison is one of the most dedicated public servants in the City of Oxnard,” said City Manager Alexander Nguyen. “Terrel is an Oxnard native; he has an intimate knowledge of and long-term experience with the residents of this community. He has a track record of finding innovative ways to meet the needs of the community and to bring new opportunities to Oxnard families,” said Nguyen. “Terrel is also the best manager to lead the department through next year’s difficult budget.”
“Becoming a Director in this Organization, and having the chance to continue working with such a wonderful and energetic group of people, is an opportunity and a challenge I embrace,” said Harrison.
Harrison’s accomplishments as the Community Services Manager include development of programs such as the Meet-Up, Clean-Up program; the addition of a Police Activities League programing in south Oxnard; development of the partnership with California State Parks Department for youth leadership training; and aligning resources and staffing in response to budget prior reductions. Most recently Mr. Harrison has been successful in working with USA Boxing to bring the “Last Chance Qualifier” tournament to the City of Oxnard next November.
Mr. Harrison holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from California State University Northridge. Terrel and Helen, his wife of 13 years, have a 7-year-old daughter named Violet. He is an avid sports enthusiast who enjoys working on European Automobiles in his spare time. Mr. Harrison believes in public service and “considers it an honor to work for the people of the City of Oxnard.”