ROCKINGHAM — City Manager Monty Crump on Friday announced a new hire for Parks and Recreation director.
Blake Kelly, a Rockingham native, has been hired to replace the retiring Dave Davis, who served as director for four decades.
“Due to Dave's leadership and long-term commitment to our community's youth, literally thousands of children have learned how to swim, attended summer day camp, played baseball, softball, soccer, taken field trips, participated in arts and crafts, flag football, among other activities,” Crump said. Our youth have also benefited from Dave Davis's dedication to providing our community with quality recreation programs and lifelong lessons in sportsmanship.”
According to a press release, Kelly is a graduate of Richmond County Schools and UNC-Wilmington, and currently teaches at Hamlet Middle where he also coaches soccer and cross country.
The press release states Kelly was a longtime participant in municipal sports programs and worked for the department for several years.
“As Blake steps into the role of Parks and Recreation director, he states that it is his vision to build upon the …(d)epartment's strong foundation by expanding community engagement, family friendly events, health and wellness initiatives, and continuing partnerships with local schools, businesses, and organizations.”
Kelly, 27, is currently engaged, according to the press release.
He makes the second hire to replace a city employee retiring at the end of the year.
Austin Parker was recently promoted to chief of the Rockingham Fire Department, effective June 24, replace Harold Isler, who has been at the helm since the summer of 2014.
