New Recreation Director Announced
Sarah Gagne To Join the Town
Town of St. Johnsbury Announces Appointment of New Recreation Director
St. Johnsbury, VT- The Town of St. Johnsbury is pleased to announce the hiring of Sarah Gagne as its new Recreation Director. Sarah was selected following a thorough and collaborative hiring process that included input from key community stakeholders.
The interview panel was composed of representatives from both St. Johnsbury Town School, St. Johnsbury Academy, who are also members of the Recreation Committee, The Select Board Chair and Town Officials- ensuring a broad and inclusive perspective in the evaluation of candidates. The panel assessed each applicant’s qualifications, leadership abilities, and vision for community recreation.
Sarah is a St. Johnsbury Academy (1997) and Colorado State University graduate with over 14 years in Recreation program and facility management. She returned to St. Johnsbury in 2023 and has been active in local community efforts and across Vermont. Since returning to Vermont she has been serving as the Workforce Development Manager for Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC), supporting recruitment, retention, and advocacy initiatives for early childhood educators. She has also been an active member of the St. Johnsbury Recreation Committee and Design Advisory Committee.
She brings extensive experience in Recreation including youth programming, arts and education, outdoor and environmental recreation, event and facility management, and staff development. She is active in state and national recreation organizations, receiving a Professional of the Year award in 2017 from Colorado Parks and Recreation Association and holding a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional certification from the National Recreation and Parks Association.
"I have had a long-time dream of returning to my hometown and being able to serve the community in this capacity. I am thrilled that St. Johnsbury has adopted the Department back into its' administration and is looking for ways to bring recreational opportunities for the town into the future. There are already several successful programs in the department and I am ready to continue supporting them without interruption. I am also excited to work with community partners and state funders to bring scholarship and sponsorship opportunities to increase revenue streams and build additional youth programming, adult social opportunities, family events, and infrastructure like playgrounds, outdoor fitness, and a community gathering space. I look forward to diving in and hearing more from our residents about what is on their wish lists!"
Sarah brings a wealth of experience in recreational programming and community engagement. We are thrilled to welcome Sarah to the Town of St. Johnsbury. Her proven leadership and dedication to inclusive recreation will be an asset as we continue to grow and enhance programs for all residents.
As the Recreation Director, Sarah will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of planning and implementation of recreational programs, facilities management, and collaborating with community partners.
Please join us in welcoming Sarah Gagne to the Town of St. Johnsbury as she begins this exciting new chapter.
