The City of Stockton welcomes Donté Watson as its new Community Services Director, effective Monday, June 15, 2026. Watson brings more than two decades of leadership experience in parks, recreation, and community services across California, with a track record of expanding programs, growing public space, and strengthening community partnerships.
Watson most recently served as Director of the City of Santa Rosa Recreation and Parks Department and more than 13 years with the City of Oakland's Parks, Recreation and Youth Development Department.
"Donté brings the experience, the heart, and the vision Stockton deserves in this role," said Mayor Christina Fugazi. "Our parks, our recreation programs, and our neighborhood spaces are where Stockton families come together. Donté understands what it takes to make those places thrive."
Watson's career has been built around expanding access to recreation and community resources. In Santa Rosa, he led a collaboration with the Southeast Greenway Partnership and the Sonoma Land Trust that resulted in the acquisition of 49 acres for the development of the South East Greenway. He also oversaw the recent renovation of the Finley Aquatic Center and the historic Luther Burbank Home and Gardens. In Oakland, he secured $750,000 in grant funding through the Eat, Learn, Play Foundation in partnership with the Oakland Parks and Recreation Foundation to support summer and school-year programming for underserved youth.
Watson is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional through the National Recreation and Parks Association. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics with a minor in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and is bilingual in English and Spanish.
"We are excited to welcome Donté to Stockton," said Johnny Ford, City Manager. "He has spent his career in parks, recreation, and community services, and he knows how to build programs that bring people together. That's exactly what we want for our residents, and I look forward to seeing what he and the Community Services team will do together."
Watson will transition into the role alongside Interim Community Services Director Audree V. Jones-Taylor, who has led the department during the recruitment process. The City extends its thanks to Jones-Taylor for her steady leadership and continued service through the transition.
Watson shared his enthusiasm for the appointment: "I'm honored and excited to join the City of Stockton, and I'm ready to get to work alongside the community, the department's dedicated staff, and our partners to build on what's already strong here and grow what's possible."