Barrington has hired its first leisure-services director.

Michele Geremia of Bristol has been named by Town Manager Peter DeAngelis Jr. to fill the part-time position that encompasses what was previously titled recreation director. She will start on Monday, Oct. 22.

“No one seems to like that title,” said DeAngelis, but until someone comes up with a better one, that will be it.

Geremia was selected from approximately 30 candidates for the post, said DeAngelis, after a search he described as “long and comprehensive.”

She brings a background that includes a combination of human resources management, labor and industrial relations, and mediation to the position.

Geremia will work part-time during the school year and full time in the summer, DeAngelis said. Her salary will be the budgeted number, $25,000, he said.

Geremia will report directly to the town manager and work closely with the Parks and Recreation Commission as did the recreation director.

DeAngelis said previously that he wants the position to create new and build on existing leisure-time activities – not just organized sports and recreation -- that appeal to all members of the community.

It will combine the duties of the former recreation director, John Taylor, with a host of new responsibilities.

“It goes beyond the traditional recreation director,” said DeAngelis. “I want to expand on that.”

“I want someone who can build partnerships and to coordinate with them and other existing providers, such as the schools, and the Community School,” DeAngelis said. “I don’t want to duplicate what is already being done. I’m not trying to replace or duplicate activities.”

“Michele brings over 15 years of successful management experience to the position,” he said. “With a master’s degree in labor and industrial relations with specialization in dispute resolution, Michele brings the requisite skills to manage the unique challenges of seasonal staffing. 

“Prior to joining the Town of Barrington, Michele was the Human Resource Manager at Chemart in Lincoln, where she was responsible for, among other things, the creation and direction of the employee activities committee that developed motivational programs such as Super Bowl challenges, baseball events and games for families of all ages and abilities,” said DeAngelis. “She has experience with writing and administering grant funding as well as experience with the developmentally and physically challenged populations.”

“Michele brings a high level of enthusiasm and creativity to the position,” DeAngelis said.

Her master’s degree is from the University of Rhode Island, and she has advanced training in mediation and negotiation. Indeed, a website for MouthPeace Mediation in Bristol indicates that she has practiced with her husband, Frank, as a co-mediation team, specializing in separation and divorce mediation, and workplace mediation.  The website shows her as a trained mediator in Rhode Island and Massachusetts and as a human resources consultant.

Geremia’s experience also includes coaching and training on workplace issues, including employee morale, team building skills and employee/management relations, according to the website. She has worked in the financial, manufacturing and health care industries, according to the website.