Eric Eleton
Kenai
Summary
Professional with 20 years of proven leadership experience in the public and private sectors. Experienced in operations and administration, recreational & educational programming, league/event management, facility management, marketing, organizational development, and strategic planning. I am a leader who has a passion for community and organizational development, detail oriented, and results driven.
Results-driven leader with strong background in strategic management and organizational growth. Skilled in developing and implementing effective business strategies, optimizing processes, and driving team performance. Known for adaptability, effective collaboration, and delivering measurable outcomes in dynamic environments. Strong communication and problem-solving abilities, coupled with focus on fostering productive and positive team culture.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director – North Peninsula Recreation Service Area
Kenai Peninsula Borough
Kenai, Alaska, USA
05.2022 - Current
- Responsible for the entire operation, management and administration of the North Peninsula Recreation Service Area, which includes the Nikiski Pool, Nikiski Community Recreation Center, Jason Peterson Memorial Ice Rink, 2 trail systems, a disc golf course, multiple playgrounds, 2 softball fields, and a multipurpose field.
- Lead a staff of 11 full-time and 20+ part-time and seasonal employees.
- Developed the Service Area’s annual budget of $3 million and directs the expenditures as appropriated.
- Developed the capital project plan to meet the needs of the service area. Acts as project manager for all the current capital projects including boiler replacement, sidewalk replacement and lobby renovation at the Nikiski Pool as well as renovation of the Nikiski Community Recreation Center.
- Worked closely with staff and community stakeholders to change the departments culture and perception within the community to make the facilities more inviting.
- Built and fosters community relationships with the local schools, 501C3’s, and other youth development organizations to increase the programs and events that are offered to the community. This includes working with the local hockey association to double their player enrollments in just 2 years.
- Introduce or re-introduced 15 programs which has spurred program growth for the first time since COVID restriction were enacted.
- Pool Admission have grown by 10%, while hitting our annual revenue target in the 1st 9 months of the fiscal year.
- Created and formalized standard operating procedures to increase staff productivity.
- Worked closely with local consultants and the IT Department on rebranding the department and upgrading the recreation website.
Recreation Division Administrator
Athens-Clarke County Unified Government
Athens, Georgia, USA
06.2018 - 05.2022
- Led a staff of 20 full-time and 80+ part-time and seasonal employees.
- Directed the operation of 3 community centers, 4 large athletic parks, 3 community parks, a tennis center, and 6 aquatics facilities with a total operating budget of $2.8 million.
- Secured $400,000 in additional funding to develop Teen Technology Centers which are housed at our 3 community centers.
- Took a leading role in developing the departments strategic master plan including developing a new vision and mission statement along with the departments core values.
- Worked with park planning to update 3 Park Master plans which the Mayor and Commission approved.
- Make presentations to the Manager’s Office, Mayor and Commission, new commissioner’s orientation, citizen’s government academy and to the department on a regular basis.
- Led the effort to secure $25 million in SPLOST funding for 6 different projects for the Leisure Services Department, including the development of a new aquatics facility at one of the county’s most beloved parks.
- Led the charge to grow programming by 150% over the last 3 years including developing over 60 annual programs for people with special needs.
- Rebranded and re-launched the counties after school program which resulted in a 300% increase in enrollments in the 1st year.
- Built and maintained relationships with 12 community partner organization that help extend our impact on the community.
- Formalized the division’s standard operating procedures to increase staff productivity.
Facility Supervisor – Youth Athletics & Tennis
Athens-Clarke County Unified Government
Athens, Georgia, USA
11.2017 - 06.2018
- Recruited, hired, trained and managed 3 full-time staff and 15 part-time staff members.
- Managed the day to day operations of 4 athletic parks and 1 tennis center with a $800,000 operating budget.
- Built and maintained relationships with 6 of the counties key athletic partner s to provide service for the community.
- Was promoted after 7 months in the position.
Director of Operations
Suwanee Sports Academy/HoopSeen.com
Suwanee, Georgia, USA
08.2007 - 11.2017
- Manage the day-to-day operations of the company’s basketball department including development camp, leagues and tournaments that generate over $1.8 million in revenue and serves 1400+ youth teams & 15,000+ youth annually
- Supervised the budgeting and financial management systems for the basketball business.
- Led the companies 2 most successful Business Development initiatives with the creation, launch, and development of the HoopSeen.com brand that has grown to become the most trusted voice in High School basketball recruiting in the Southeast; and the launch of US Amateur Basketball that served as a national governing body to 15 states and 7000+ Teams in the 1st year.
- Coordinate all marketing activities pertaining to our basketball event, camps and leagues including signage, flyers, social media, and email campaigns.
- Developed relationships with key partners including the NCAA, USA Basketball, North Gwinnett Basketball Association, Gwinnett Basketball League, Atlanta Hawks, Nike, Adidas and Under Armor.
- Identified and pursued key business development and sponsorship opportunities that help enhance the tournament experience for the community.
- Coordinate with local high schools and parks and recreation departments to procure additional sites for tournaments and other programming.
- Schedule all games that take place in Suwanee Sports Academy operated Leagues and Tournaments which host 100+ teams weekly.
- Evaluate and suggest any facility or equipment improvements that could enhance the customer experience.
- Recruit, hire, train, and manage 25 Full-time & part-time staff members, instructors, salesmen, event staff, and support staff.
- Formalized operational and training processes to increase the company’s productivity.
- Recruited, hired, trained and managed 3 full-time staff and 15 part-time staff members.
- Was promoted 3 times in my tenure.
Assistant Manager
Adidas
03.2003 - 12.2006
- Assisted in the day to day operations of a $2 million retail store.
- Recruited, hired, trained, and managed a staff of up to 20 people.
- Assisted with new store setup and openings in Florida and New York.
- Formalized operational and training processes to increase the company’s productivity.
- Developed and implemented a marking plan which grew the stores visibility and increased sales on average 8% per year.
- Was promoted 2 times in my tenure.
Plaza Staff
Atlanta Braves
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
04.2002 - 09.2002
- Oversaw the interactive activities, as well as other events available to the fans to enhance the game experience.
- Was awarded employee of the month in my first month.
General Manager
Bruster’s Ice Cream
09.2000 - 02.2002
- Managed the day to day operations of 3 of the top 10 revenue producing stores in the company with revenues exceeding $1 million.
- Recruited, hired, trained, and managed 2 full-time and 25 part-time staff members.
Manager
Chick-fil-A
03.1996 - 09.2000
- Managed the Day to Day Operation of a $2.5 million store.
- Recruited, hired, trained, and managed a staff.
- Was promoted 3 times in my tenure.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Sport Management, Sport Marketing Concentration
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, Georgia, USA07-2007
Skills
- Relationship building
- Strategic planning
- Verbal and written communication
- Decision-making
- Operations management
- Strategies and goals
- Staff development
- Financial management
- Customer relations
Certification
- Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) from National Recreation & Parks Association
- Certified Youth Sports Administrator (CYSA) from the National Alliance of Youth Sports
- Certified Pool Operator (CPO)
- First AID, CPR, AED Certified
- Completion of ISC Training from the FEMA Emergency Management Institute: IS-100C, IS-200C, IS-700B, IS-800D
Timeline
Director – North Peninsula Recreation Service Area
Kenai Peninsula Borough
05.2022 - Current
Recreation Division Administrator
Athens-Clarke County Unified Government
06.2018 - 05.2022
Facility Supervisor – Youth Athletics & Tennis
Athens-Clarke County Unified Government
11.2017 - 06.2018
Director of Operations
Suwanee Sports Academy/HoopSeen.com
08.2007 - 11.2017
Assistant Manager
Adidas
03.2003 - 12.2006
Plaza Staff
Atlanta Braves
04.2002 - 09.2002
General Manager
Bruster’s Ice Cream
09.2000 - 02.2002
Manager
Chick-fil-A
03.1996 - 09.2000
Bachelor of Science - Sport Management, Sport Marketing Concentration
Kennesaw State University