The Emporia community met the first of three candidates that could serve as the next director of rec operations for the Lee Beran Recreation Center Monday night.
Fred Lowery, currently the Superintendent of Hilton Head Island Recreation in South Carolina, met with members of the public during a community meet and greet inside of the rec center Monday evening just ahead of his official interview with the Emporia Recreation Commission. With more than 20 years of experience in recreation operations, Lowery says he chose to apply for the position as he believes Emporia falls perfectly into his “wheelhouse.”
Audio PlayerIn terms of his skillset, Lowery says he has a well-rounded background in many areas outside of recreation, namely an impressive resume in marketing, that he believes gives him a unique outlook into how to grow and promote rec activities. On top of this, Lowery says he is always receptive and open to new suggestions and ideas for how to get individuals out and active in the community.
Audio PlayerFollowing Lowery in the interview process will be John Mark Woolums, the former facility program manager for Deerfield Park District in Illinois and current interim Emporia Director of Rec Operations and longtime Assistant Director Amanda Gutierrez. Gutierrez and Woolums will interview next Tuesday, April 15 with a community meet and greet preceding their respective interviews beginning at 5:30 pm.
ERC membership has not set an exact date for when they plan to announce the next director, however, they have indicated it could come shortly after the interviews conclude. The chosen candidate will replace longtime rec director Tom McEvoy, who retired in December after nearly 40 years in local public recreation.
