Mr. John Prue is the Founder and CEO of JDP Services – Management Consulting. In this position, he focuses on strengthening public park and recreation agencies, as well as related organizations, by providing practical consulting and training. His approach addresses immediate needs and also gives clients lasting tools and insights for long-term organizational success.
Mr. Prue just completed 39 years supporting Department of Defense quality-of-life services, specifically Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) for the U.S. Navy. Most recently, he served as the MWR Program Analyst for Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, where he evaluated the effectiveness of MWR programs across 23 installations and annex sites within a nine-state area.
For much of his career, Mr. Prue was the Installation Program Director for the MWR Department at Naval Station Great Lakes, IL. He led a staff of over 300 and managed more than 20 facilities and programs, including amenities such as a golf course, marina, bowling center, movie theater, and ticket/travel office. His responsibilities covered sports, fitness, aquatics, community activities, events, excursions, parks, youth services, lodging, hospitality, clubs, restaurants, and other revenue-generating ventures. In 2012, his MWR team earned the National Gold Medal Award in the Armed Forces Recreation category.
Mr. Prue also led a six-year, $14 million non-appropriated fund construction project, which was completed in 2017. This multipurpose entertainment complex serves the entire Great Lakes population, featuring a twenty-eight lane bowling center, movie theater, restaurant, sports bar, and live entertainment area. The project came in under budget and consolidated multiple facilities into one, improving efficiency for the long term.
Mr. Prue earned a Bachelor's degree in Recreation Administration from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and a Master's degree in Management from Webster University in St. Louis. He is a member of the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA), elected by his peers. Mr. Prue has received the Meritorious Civilian Service Award twice and was honored with the Commander Navy Installations Command MWR Lifetime Achievement Award.
Mr. Prue has spent more than 30 years working with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). He has been very active with networks, written articles, presented at conference numerous times, a long-standing member of the conference program committee (including serving as chairperson). Additionally, beginning in 2022, taken on a role as a member of the NRPA Board of Directors.