Search goes on for park executive director

October 23, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Mill Creek MetroParks has been without a permanent executive director since 2009, and park board President Jay Macejko said the commissioners are willing to wait as long as it takes for the right candidate.

Macejko, who is also the Youngstown city prosecutor, said Tuesday before the board’s regular meeting that since 2009, about 140 people have applied for the executive director’s job.

He said out of the first round of about 60 applicants, only one person was considered. That first round included well-known names such as Marilyn Kenner, chief deputy engineer for the Mahoning County engineer’s office; Justin Rogers, MetroParks’ landscape architect; and Anthony Kobak, former Youngstown city planner.

Macejko didn’t comment on who was considered, or if he or she still is under consideration.

“We re-advertised for the position from Sept. 17 to Oct. 1,” Macejko said. “We want to make sure to get it right. It’s that simple.”

The board president said about 80 additional applications came in during the second round, which was narrowed to about 11, then to six, who will be interviewed over the phone in the next several weeks.

“These candidates are by no means finalists,” he said. “They’re people we’re interested in, and we have to make sure they’ve remained interested in being with us.”

David Imbrogno resigned as director in 2009, leaving Tom Bresko, who was the recreation and programs director, as interim executive director.

Macejko said Bresko told the board from the beginning that he didn’t want the job permanently. He didn’t apply for the position.

The board tentatively hopes to have a decision made by the end of 2010, Macejko said.

He said the job is not one the board members take lightly.

“We realize how important this is, and we’ll take as much time as we possibly need,” he said. “It’s a tall order.”

The next executive director will be required to have a variety of skills to work in the MetroParks, Macejko said.

He said the director must have experience with employee issues as well as understand all aspects of park operations, including land acquisitions and Environmental Protection Agency laws.

“He or she also has to be someone who will market us,” Macejko said. “It’s very difficult to find someone to fit those orders.”