City Manager Spencer Nebel announced that Michael Cavanaugh has been offered
the position of Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Newport, subject to
completion of final background checks. It is anticipated that Cavanaugh will start his
position approximately February 18.
Cavanaugh was selected after a national search for
applicants and interviews for finalists. Each of the finalists were interviewed by three
separate panels, which included representatives from the Parks and Recreation and 60+
Advisory Committees; Parks and Recreation professionals from Corvallis, Lincoln City
and the Lincoln County School District; and a third panel of department heads.
The final interview was conducted by the City Manager. In addition, the public had an opportunity to interact with the candidates at a reception and provide their input during this process. City Manager Spencer Nebel indicated “The city had a strong field of candidates from which to make the selection. Mike has been a real asset to the City of Newport for the
past six years in his position of Sports Program Supervisor for the City of Newport.
He created important partnerships, which have expanded the sports programs through his
tenure with the city. Mike has the skillsets and capabilities to do the same for the city’s
parks system, recreation programs, and 60+ Activity Center.”
Prior to working for the city, Cavanaugh worked as a Sports Program Coordinator for
DeKalb County, Parks and Recreation in Tucker, Georgia, a Recreational Specialist
Supervisor for the Department of Army in Columbia, South Carolina, and a Recreational Assistant for Columbia, South Carolina. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts from the
University of South Carolina. Judy Mayhew has served as Acting Parks and Recreation Director since Jim Protiva’s resignation in August 2019.