Name: Mark Pendleton
Job description: One of several sports coordinators for Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks. Responsible for softball, basketball, volleyball, golf, tennis, assists with summer camps. County softball leagues total as many as 245 teams, basketball teams doubled last winter to 48, and as many as a dozen volleyball teams play in any given season. Started men's summer basketball league with four teams last year; 16 are competing this summer.
Age: 43
Residence: Catonsville
Personal: Born in Cecil County, grew up in Prince George's County. Graduate of Northwestern High and University of Maryland, College Park, where he was a recreation major. Joined county rec department about 15 years ago after first job with Hyattsville's rec unit. Three daughters, including twins, 9, all of whom participate in basketball, lacrosse and swimming.
Biggest satisfaction of job: "When people call to tell you they're happy with the programs; that, and getting more people involved in recreation. My mother was a teacher and my father was a physical therapist with the Veterans Administration, so I've always been interested in public service."
Biggest challenge of the job: "Like everyone else, if we had more fields, especially lighted fields, that'd be nice. But otherwise, it's keeping things organized, keeping schedules straight - the day-to-day operations. It's the volume of people, and also the weather, which can mess things up."