Rec Commission Recommends Candidate For Parks Director Position
Thursday, September 19th, 2024
The City of Dalton’s Recreation Commission met in a called meeting Wednesday and voted to recommend Steve Roberts as the sole finalist for director of the Dalton Parks and Recreation Department. Roberts was selected from a field of nearly 40 applicants. Roberts currently serves as the director of the Parks and Recreation Department in Cartersville.
Steve Roberts is a familiar name in the Dalton Parks and Recreation Department. He worked in the department from 2001 until 2017, beginning as an adult and youth athletic supervisor and eventually rising to the position of athletic coordinator. He then left to become assistant director of the Lafayette Parks and Recreation Department before becoming the director of Kennesaw’s Parks and Recreation Department. After four years in Kennesaw, Roberts took over as the director in Cartersville in 2023. During his eight years as an assistant director or director, Roberts oversaw the development and construction of a number of new facility projects which made him attractive to Dalton’s Recreation Commission.
“Based on where the department is and the number of projects that are ongoing, it was clear that we needed somebody with the experience that Steve has with leading departments and the experience with projects that he’s amassed over the last eight years,” city administrator Andrew Parker said. “We’re excited to bring him home. We feel that he will be able to mesh well with the excellent leaders who are already part of our Parks and Recreation Department staff.”
"We are confident that his leadership, experience, and eagerness to serve our community will be a vital part in continuing to advance the Parks and Recreation Department in the direction that will provide the best quality of life for Dalton’s citizens," said Allison Whittle, chairwoman of the Recreation Commission.
Roberts is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in recreation administration. He is also a certified parks and recreation professional.
The Recreation Commission’s recommendation will be sent to the Dalton Mayor and Council which can vote to approve Roberts as the sole finalist at a future meeting. After that vote, state law requires a 14-day period before he can officially be hired as the new director. Former department director Caitlin Sharpe resigned earlier this summer to pursue a teaching position at Jacksonville State University.
