It’s taken months, but they think they’ve finally found their man.
North Whidbey Parks and Recreation board hired Steve McCaslin to run the district.
McCaslin, a former Navy officer, brings experience in the private sector, including his own business and leadership consulting company.
“We needed someone who would bring solid leadership and business acumen to help us find a stable financial future,” said board President Sean Merrill.
The district struggled to retain leadership. Former director Gino Wolfe resigned Jan. 1 after less than a year. His departure was one of a series of resignations at the district both on the board and in the executive director position.
McCaslin has his work cut out for him. The pool has an estimated half-million dollars in repairs in the next few years and no capital savings plan.
District officials have talked about how much taxpayers should subsidize pool programs, particularly the swim club, and whether the pool should raise prices.
McCaslin, 57, was stationed at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station when he was serving as a bombardier-navigator for the A-6E Intruder. He left the Navy in 1998 and pursued a career in the corporate world, working for various companies including Hewlett-Packard. His wife is from Oak Harbor and the couple opted to return earlier this year, seeking a better qualify of life for their three children.
He’ll earn $57,000 annually as director.
He took the job because he said the pool is a “critical asset for the community.”
“This is too critical for the community,” he said.
“Someone has to care. I care.”
North Whidbey Parks and Recreation is a special-purpose district that stretches outside of city borders, serving the same area as Oak Harbor Public Schools.
Although operating the John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool is a substantial part of what the parks district does, it also includes two community parks.
McCaslin describes himself as a team builder who wants to work collaboratively to find solutions. One of this first jobs will be to deliver a budget to the board within two weeks. He wants to address the lack of capital savings.
If possible, he’d like to get the district back on firm financial footing without asking the taxpayers for more money.
He plans to begin work this week.
