Locally Grown: Shaker Heights Sources Homegrown Recreation Director

"Something keeps bringing me back here," said Alex Nichols, Shaker Heights' new recreation department director.

Whatever that something is, it has brought her back to Shaker Heights twice since her family first moved here when she was in sixth grade.

And April 1, she'll begin work as the city's recreation department director.

She'll replace Pam Quinn, who retired in December. Nichols last worked at the Geauga County YMCA and has led the Avon Lake Recreation Department, where she won an award for her work on the pool and implemented online registration and created efficiencies in the department.

"I really enjoy the diversity of the community. I think that it's something that's not often found in most communities," she said.

She said she hopes she can lead the department to better serve the community. "I'm really hoping we can rid some gaps in programs and services that we're providing to the community so we can provide to all age groups, regardless of their means."