Longtime Saco Parks and Recreation Director Joe Hirsch retired Oct. 20, leaving the position vacant.
The city announced in a press release Friday that it had appointed Ryan Sommer as the new Parks and Recreation director, pending confirmation by the Saco City Council on Jan. 2.
“We are excited to have Ryan Sommer join our phenomenal senior leadership team and talented Parks and Recreation staff,” said Saco City Administrator Kevin Sutherland in a written statement. “His experience matches the needs of our growing community and will strengthen an already great team.”
Sommer said in a written statement that he looks forward to working with the “excellent staff” in the city’s recreation department.
“They are dedicated and take pride in the work they do and it shows by all the wonderful programs that are being offered today,” he said.
Sommer has served as the executive director for the North Conway Community Center in North Conway, New Hampshire, for the past 12 years.
In this role, Sommer was successful in funding the construction of a new multi-generational community center through grant money and other fund-raising efforts, according to the press release. Sommer has also previously held the position of community service director in Ogunquit, and served five years as a recreation technician for the city of Saco.
“I am excited about coming back to work for the city where my career began in Parks and Recreation,” said Sommer. “I felt like my heart was always here. To be able to return and lead the Parks and Recreation Department will be a dream come true.”
Hirsh left earlier this year amid controversy. Hirsch and former recreation Program Director Kevin Lombard were summonsed on Nov. 1 and charged with criminal invasion of computer privacy, a class D misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine.
State law defines criminal invasion of computer privacy as “intentionally accesses any computer resource knowing that the person is not authorized to do so.”
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.
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