Kelly Schmidt, MSRLS, CPRE
Client Sector Leader - Outdoor Recreation
About Me
Kelly Schmidt serves as Client Sector Leader – Outdoor Recreation for CEI Engineering Associates, bringing more than 30 years of executive leadership experience in parks, recreation, open space, and community development across the United States. A Certified Parks and Recreation Executive (CPRE), Kelly has led municipal park and recreation systems, outdoor recreation initiatives, and community-focused capital projects in Arkansas, Texas, Colorado, Washington, California, and Florida.
Throughout her career, Kelly has overseen complex operations that include parks and trail systems, recreation centers, open space management, outdoor destinations, special events, and multimillion-dollar capital improvement programs. Her background includes executive leadership roles with Durango Parks & Recreation, Colorado; Bentonville Parks & Recreation, Arkansas; Dripping Springs Parks & Community Services, Texas; Mill Valley Parks & Recreation, California; and other rapidly growing communities where quality-of-life infrastructure, recreation access, nature conservation, and community identity are central to long-term success.
Kelly’s experience spans public and nonprofit sector leadership, nonprofit collaboration, and private-sector community development, giving her a unique perspective on how parks, trails, greenways, and outdoor recreation investments intersect with and drive economic development, tourism, wellness, and community connection. She is recognized for building strategic partnerships, advancing grant and bond-funded initiatives, and helping communities create outdoor spaces that are both impactful and sustainable.
At CEI, Kelly works with municipalities, counties, nonprofits, developers, and regional partners to advance outdoor recreation and community development projects that strengthen connectivity, enhance placemaking, and improve quality of life across the communities CEI serves.
