Rec Sports
Perry Area Joint Recreation District names Matt Elliott as youth recreation director
Matt Elliott has been chosen as the new youth recreation director for the Perry Area Joint Recreation District.
He recently was appointed to that position by the rec district board. Elliott will succceed Mike Smith, who had served in that role for seven years.
In late June, Smith informed the board that he wanted to “take a step back” as director and enjoy more time with his family. Since that time, Smith has continued to work as an assistant director under an interim leader, to help the district function during its busy summer sports season.
Elliott’s official start date as full-time youth recreation director is Sept. 29. However, the rec board has arranged for Elliott to begin working as an assistant director starting on Sept. 8, to help him make a smooth transition to becoming the district’s top official.
A resident of Perry Township, Elliott will earn a starting salary of $65,000.
Prior to accepting his new job, Elliott had coached a variety of youth sports in the Perry rec district. He also created an indoor youth soccer program, and this past summer helped to launch the Perry Ignite Summer Soccer Training Program for children.
Elliott stated in a Facebook post that he’s excited to step into his new role.
“As director, my goal is to build programs that help kids grow not only as athletes, but as people,” he stated. “I want our youth to learn the fundamental skills to succeed in their sports, while also embracing values such as respect, teamwork and fair play.”
In addition, Elliott said he’s looking forward to strengthening the district’s existing youth sports programs and “introducing new opportunities that bring our community together and continue building pride in Perry.”
After Smith revealed his future intentions, the rec board posted the opening for a youth recreation director. The panel received seven resumes and interviewed five applicants, said rec board Chairman Elias Coss.
Elliott stood out as the top candidate in a variety of ways, Coss said.
“He is a visionary, has demonstrated excellent leadership skills with some of the programs he ran and started, and he’s an outstanding communicator in several forms and fashions,” he said.
Elliott is the owner and operator of Elliott Creative Studios, which specializes in providing clients with custom apparel, logo design, advertising and a range of promotional materials. Coss said he wants Elliott to use his creativity and professional expertise to perform much-needed updates of the rec district’s website and Facebook page.
In additional to owning a small business, Elliott has worked for the past 13 years in various roles at Osborne Concrete and Stone in Grand River Village. Some of his responsibilities for Osborne have included managing employees, costs/pricing, and maintaining customer relationships.
On a personal level, Elliott also is very approachable and a good active listener, Coss noted.
“So I think that’s why he’s been successful with developing youth recreation programs,” he said. “He has that ability to listen to people and adjust.”
David Whittaker has been serving as the district’s interim youth recreation since June 28. He and Marcus Morant had both worked as part-time assistant directors for Smith.
Coss said Smith didn’t officially resign in late June, but instead swapped positions with Whittaker.
With Elliott being hired, plans call for him to work as an assistant under Whittaker through Sept. 28. Elliott will temporarily fill the part-time position now held by Morant, who will finish working for the district on Sept. 5.
Smith will continue his duties as an interim assistant director until Sept. 19, which is his last day of work for the district.
Coss said Elliott will have no assistant directors on his staff.
“But he will have the support of the board,” Coss said. “Whatever capacity Matt needs us, we’ll lend that support and that guidance.”
Coss said the board is counting on Elliott “to set the groundwork and foundation” for the district’s long-term success.
“I truly believe in two, three or four, years, Perry’s youth recreation department is going to look vastly different than what it does today,” Coss said. “And I truly think that Matt is going to be the one in the driver’s seat.”
Perry Area Joint Recreation District oversees the community’s youth sports programs and the Perry Senior Center. The district’s board is governed by appointed trustees who represent Perry and North Perry villages, Perry Township and Perry Schools.