Cranberry's Gain, Ross' Loss: Pete Geis Officially Hired as Cranberry's Parks & Recreation Director

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 Ross Township Parks and Recreation Director 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. 

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.

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

Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook

Check out some of today's other top stories here .