Texas State Alum Named to National ‘30 Under 30’ List for Recreation Field
George Paul “Jeep” Wentsch, a Texas State University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Administration, has been named to Parks & Recreation magazine’s prestigious “30 Under 30” list for 2025. The annual recognition, a joint effort by the National Recreation and Park Association’s Young Professional Network and Parks & Recreation magazine, highlights rising stars in the recreation field.
Wentsch, 27, a supervisory recreation specialist with the Department of Defense’s Morale Welfare and Recreation Programs (MWR) at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Air Force Base, was recognized for his contributions to the community.
Wentsch joins past “30 Under 30” inductees who continue to advance the parks and recreation profession. This year’s class was selected from more than 113 nominations representing 27 states. Nominees were evaluated based on community impact, contributions to professional development, and innovative ideas, programs or research.
As the former programmer for Lackland Outdoor Recreation, Wentsch developed and executed more than 30 recreational programs for military personnel, including rock climbing, biking and kayaking. He also rebuilt the base’s paintball field and launched a mobile axe-throwing trailer. These initiatives served more than 1,500 service members and generated over $19,000 in revenue.
Now manager of the Arnold Hall Community Center on base, Wentsch leads a team of seven in creating events for the military community.
The NRPA’s “30 Under 30” program recognizes young professionals making a difference in the parks and recreation field. Wentsch’s selection underscores his commitment to providing quality recreational experiences for the military community in San Antonio, Texas.