Davide Fuoco HOWELL – If one word could be used to describe Howell’s new director of parks and recreation that word would be “enthusiastic.”
Davide Fuoco, 27, was selected from a field of about a dozen candidates for the position. He holds a bachelor’s degree in recreation administration fromKeanUniversity, Union.
After receiving his degree in 2002, Fuoco accepted a position in his hometown of Eatontown as a recreation supervisor. He moved up through the ranks and was named recreation director in 2004. He recently resigned fromthat position to accept the job in Howell.
Fuoco said he takes pride in his work and personal life and said accepting the position in Howell is a “great step in my career.”
“Howell is where you want to be. It is a large town with a lot of potential and opportunity to grow.While I am here I will be looking to spread my wings and to try new things,” he said. “I would like to add to the already successful department, as well as propose new ideas and programs for the department,” Fuoco said.
Fuoco said although he is very eager to get going, hewants to “first assess the needs of the community and the staff.”
He said some of his goals will be to continue tomotivate the staff to do the best job possible, to establish relationships with organizations in town and to increase revenue and participation for the department.
Fuoco is certified by the state Recreation Administrators. He is an active member of the New Jersey Recreation Parks Association where he currently serves on themembership and marketing committee and on the awards committee.
Within the association he is co-chair of District Four (Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean counties). In that role, Fuoco schedulesmeetings, brings in guest speakers and sets up courses and sessions for association members.
Township Manager Helene Schlegel introduced Fuoco during the Jan. 22 meeting of the Township Council.
Schlegel said that in his previous position, Fuoco “increased participation in programs more than 50 percent, he is certified through Rutgers University as a youth counselor, is an active member in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters organization, and has been recognized in a 2005 edition of the Leisure Times Quarterly.”
Mayor Joseph DiBella, who met Fuoco for the first time at the Jan. 22 meeting, said he was “very impressed with the energy level and professionalism Mr. Fuoco displayed at the council meeting.”
Fuoco said he is the fourth of five children in a large Italian family.He ismarried to the person he calls “my everything,” Sarah, and said he is very excited to serve asHowell’s new director of parks and recreation.