Pilot, Test, And Iterate

A conversation with Rachel Williams, the co-founder and President of Rec Technologies (rec.us), building the technology to power the world’s recreation. Previously, Williams was one of Uber's earliest employees, helped found Uber Eats, and led launches at MasterClass.This conversation focuses on the parks and recreation challenge that doesn't always make headlines but touches the daily lives of millions: outdated technology that causes headaches for both staff and residents. For families, registering for a swim class or reserving a tennis court can feel harder than booking an overseas flight. For staff, hours are lost to manual phone calls, paperwork, and patchwork systems that don’t speak to one another. At Rec, our first question to recreation and parks departments is always, “Does your current recreation technology allow parents to register their child for summer camp, on their phone, in under three minutes?” If the answer is no, the baseline problem is clear. In 2025, being mobile-first isn’t optional. It’s foundational. Yet too many departments still treat mobile access as an afterthought. From seniors booking fitness classes to busy parents juggling childcare, everyone relies on phones. Mobile-first design builds trust, speeds adoption, and removes friction.The good news? Recreation departments don’t have to reinvent the wheel. By borrowing ideas from consumer apps that leaders already know and love—like Uber, Airbnb, and Amazon—departments can modernize their technology to reach more residents, empower staff, and bring recreation into the digital age.This episode is brought to by BCI Burke.Play is where development soars and communities come together. At BCI Burke, we believe outdoor spaces should be thoughtfully designed, built to last and welcoming to everyone. Because when design is intentional, people feel it. Learn more at https://www.bciburke.com.Want to listen instead? This conversation is available wherever you get your podcasts. Want to read the article? You can access it here.Enjoy!