County Hires New Airport and Parks Director

Current Marinette County Assistant Parks Director Erik Aleson was hired to head the Door County Airport and Parks Department at the Feb. 26 Door County Board of Supervisors meeting.

At its Feb. 26 meeting, the Door County Board of Supervisors tapped current Marinette County Assistant Parks Director Erik Aleson to take over as head of Door County’s Airport and Parks Department.

County Administrator Maureen Murphy said Aleson was the strongest of the 25 applicants who vied for the position, which was held by George Pinney until he passed away in September of last year.

Aleson, who has 12 years of experience with county park administration, acknowledged that he has some big shoes to fill, but said he’s more than up for it.

“It’s certainly a big responsibility,” said Aleson. “George Pinney was quite well-respected and known not just throughout the area here, but throughout the statewide park and rec organizations. But I’m looking forward to the challenges.”

Aleson attended his first Airport and Parks Committee meeting last week, where he got a feel for some of the projects he’ll be handling when he starts his new position on March 18.

“I think it’s a good time to make a transition, before most of the visitors start coming this spring and this summer,” said Aleson. “It’ll be a good time to kind of set some priorities and look at the work plan for the year.”

When he was a child, Aleson used to be a visitor himself, staying at his family’s cottage near the Coast Guard Station in Sturgeon Bay. He said he’s excited to be shepherding some of the parks he loved as a child, including his favorite at Cave Point.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity, and I’m looking forward to meeting all the fine folks in Door County, not only the residents but the visitors that love to use the parks,” said Aleson. “