It’s official—Cranberry has a new director of Parks and Recreation.

At Thursday’s Cranberry Board of Supervisors meeting, officials ratified the hiring of Pete Geis.

Geis, who moved to Cranberry in July, will be paid an annual salary of $75,000 in the new role.

The Slippery Rock University graduate was offered the position after a yearlong hunt, including a nationwide search, for a new recreation director.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am,” Geis said Thursday.

Geis replaces former director Mike Diehl, who parted ways with the township in November 2011. Since mid-August, Greg Smith has been acting interim director of parks and recreation in Cranberry.   

Cranberry manager Jerry Andree said Geis was offered the position after an extensive evaluation process that included five interviews.

"Pete exhibits the level of professionalism, leadership and passion that we have been seeking to lead our community's extensive parks and recreation program," Andree said.

Prior to joining Cranberry, Geis spent 11 years as the director of Parks and Recreation in Ross Township,

In that position, Geis, who founded the program, was responsible for the operation and maintenance of Ross's 23 parks and recreation areas. He also played a key role in annual events such as the Easter Egg hunt, the summer fishing tournament, the 4th of July celebration, and Ross Community Day.

The father of a 14-year-old son, who he calls his “biggest volunteer,” Geis said he is eager to begin work in Cranberry. He added he decided to move to Cranberry in 2012 because of the progressive local government, schools and, of course, the parks and recreation programs

“This is like a dream job for me,” he said.

Geis said his last day in Ross is March 8. He officially begins as Cranberry’s recreation director on Monday, March 11.

Smith, who officials praised at Thursday’s meeting, will stay on for a few more weeks to guide Geis through the transition process, Andree said.

“I just want to hit the ground running,” Geis said.

Are you pleased Cranberry has hired a new Parks and Recreation director? What kind of programs would you like to see in Cranberry? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

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