—Submitted photo MATT SALVATORE, a 1998 Fort Dodge Senior High graduate, was recently named the winner of the Slattery/Trueblood Award by the Iowa Parks and Recreation Association. The honor is given annually to the state’s top parks and recreation director. Salvatore has filled that role in Sioux City for the last 12 years.

SIOUX CITY — Grateful in the moment and excited for the future, Matt Salvatore couldn’t help but take a little time first to look back and appreciate his deep Fort Dodge roots.

Salvatore was recently named the 2026 recipient of the Slattery/Trueblood Award by the Iowa Parks and Recreation Association — a prestigious annual honor recognizing a parks and recreation director’s exceptional leadership, dedication, and selfless service to the industry and their community. The Fort Dodge native was surprised by his family, friends and co-workers during this year’s IPRA conference in his own backyard at the Sioux City Convention Center.

“I was in complete shock when I realized the award presenter was describing me,” said Salvatore, a 1998 Fort Dodge Senior High graduate who was a member of the Fort Dodge Parks and Recreation staff during his formative years. “The opening comments are very general, then there’s a build up to the point when you suddenly realize they’re describing you.

“My heart started pumping really hard. It hit me that I had to give an acceptance speech that I didn’t have time to prepare for; I prepare and plan for everything, so it was something I wasn’t used to.”

Salvatore became the Parks and Recreation Director in Sioux City 12 years ago. He has been instrumental in expanding the city’s recreational trails — going from 17 miles in 2014 to over 40 miles today — while also helping to spearhead multi-million dollar projects in the Seaboard Triumph Foods Expo Center ($15 million), Chris Larsen Park Development ($12 million) and Cone Park ($8 million).

The journey to this point all started in Fort Dodge, where Salvatore first cut his teeth in the business during the summers of 1998-2001.

“I was fortunate to have many mentors in this field — all of which have ties to Fort Dodge,” Salvatore said. “My passion for the profession was established by working at Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex. I fell in love with the work and the public service.”

Salvatore credited the guidance and leadership of former Fort Dodge Parks and Recreation directors Todd Redenius and Lori Branderhorst, as well as the lessons learned under long-time Rogers Park Superintendent Jim Winter, fellow FDSH graduate and long-time friend Ben Page, and ex-Fort Dodger Don Tripp.

“My passion for high-profile events and facilities was fostered through my experience in Fort Dodge and working alongside Jim Winter,” Salvatore said. “My on-the-job training taught me how to work under pressure, set goals, plan ahead, the value of hard work, and building trust among co-workers and community stakeholders.”

Before his career began, Salvatore was guided by his father, Tony — Fort Dodge’s long-time city parks superintendent — and his mother, Cyndie.

“My greatest mentors were right at home growing up,” Salvatore said. “My dad hired and mentored Ben Page and Don Tripp as seasonal staff in Fort Dodge before they started down this career path, so it’s funny how things went full circle as they ended up also being major influences in my life and career. And as a teacher, my mom was very influential in my education.”

Salvatore, who has also been the Parks and Rec Director in Sheldon (2002-04) and Ida Grove (2004-12), worked under Page — the current Des Moines Parks and Recreation Director and himself a former Slattery/Trueblood Award winner — as a recreation manager for two years in Des Moines. He also interned for Tripp, a 46-year veteran in the industry who was the long-time Des Moines Parks and Recreation Director before Page took over in 2012.

“Matt has demonstrated unparalleled dedication, innovation and leadership, making a significant impact on the well-being and enjoyment of every Iowa community he has worked in over the past 22 years,” Page said. “Under Matt’s guidance, parks and recreation facilities have flourished, becoming vibrant hubs that fostered community engagement and physical well being. His strategic vision and resourcefulness have resulted in numerous initiatives that cater to diverse interests, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all residents in both small and large communities.

“Matt’s leadership extends beyond the professional realm. His commitment to staff development and mentorship has cultivated a motivated and dedicated team, fostering an original culture that reflects excellence and a passion for public service. He embodies the qualities of an exemplary parks and recreation professional.”

Salvatore called his time with Page from 2012-14 “the most instrumental years of my career.”

“I learned so much from Ben on how to lead a large department and just people in general,” said Salvatore, who first met Page through close friend and long-time teammate Nick Page — Ben’s younger brother. “Also, how to fight for quality of life and change lives by the services and programs that we provide to our communities.”

At the banquet, Salvatore was unaware that his wife, Katie; son, Lane; parents; in-laws, Jim and Renee Phillips; and many friends and former co-workers were in attendance for his award presentation.

“I got through my speech and then I saw them all,” Salvatore said. “I didn’t realize any of them were there until that moment, and that’s when some emotions really hit me. (During the acceptance speech), I had just talked about my father and he was one of my most influential mentors who taught me about work ethic and passion. And there he was, with everyone else.”

Salvatore has always subscribed to the theory that it takes a village to achieve professional success. He has a pay-it-forward mentality as he becomes a veteran leader in the industry himself.

“To show gratitude for those who helped me, I’ve always felt an obligation to take others under my wing and mentor the next generation,” Salvatore said. “I take pride in mentoring and developing all current and former staff. It’s really rewarding to watch others learn, grow and gain confidence.”

Two former employees from the Salvatore tree — Eric Griffith and John Brynes — are now the parks and recreation directors in Moline, Ill. and Bettendorf, respectively.

“I’d hope they would say I put people first, and that relationships are most important to me,” Salvatore said of his co-workers both past and present. “I’d never ask someone to do something that I either haven’t done myself or am not willing to do myself.”

In addition to his family, other surprise guests in attendance for the ceremony included Salvatore’s current and former bosses — city managers Mike Collett and Bob Padmore of Sioux City — as well as Sioux City Mayor Bob Scott, former council member Alex Watters, and good friend Dustin Cooper, the Siouxland Sports Academy executive director.

Salvatore listed coaching his son’s teams and sharing his faith as passions away from his professional work.

Salvatore joins Branderhorst (1997) and Page (2015) as Slattery/Trueblood Award recipients with Fort Dodge roots. In 2009, Salvatore won the Carole J. Hansen New Professionals Award while in Ida Grove — an honor also previously given to Fort Dodgers Ryan Maehl (2014) and Hannah Angstrom (2025).

Tony Salvatore and Rich Petersen were T. Ray Frame Park Maintenance Award honorees in 2009 and 2014, respectively. Winter was the Sports Turf Manager of the Year in 2019.

The Slattery/Trueblood Award is named in honor of former Iowa City Parks and Recreation Director Terry Trueblood and ex-Dubuque Recreation Director Richard Slattery.