Zionsville parks board president Ryan Cambridge resigns; Doug Tishbein elected vice president

Chris Barksdale, president of the Zionsville Parks and Recreation Board, announced on Oct. 8 that Ryan Cambridge submitted his resignation as board president after the Town of Zionsville asked Cambridge to step down because a forthcoming ethics or conflict-of-interest policy would bar his continued service while his consulting firm works on the Zionsville Village Gateway and Plaza project. Barksdale said the project’s contract had previously been reviewed by the town council and “deemed free of conflict,” and that Cambridge resigned to avoid appearance-of-conflict issues and to support the project’s progress.

Following that announcement, the board held an election for vice president. A nomination was made and seconded; board members voted by voice and the motion to elect Doug Tishbein as vice president carried with no recorded opposition. The board then approved its September minutes and proceeded with the agenda.

The board welcomed new member Kent Perkins and noted that Anna Shappaw had arrived later in the meeting. No additional personnel actions were taken.

Barksdale read Cambridge’s resignation and thanked him for three years of service, calling him “a valuable resource” on municipal parks. The board did not take additional formal action related to Cambridge’s consulting work at the Oct. 8 meeting.