SWAMPSCOTT — The town has announced that Charlotte Daher de García has been named the next recreation director following the retirement of Danielle Strauss, who dedicated over two decades to serving in the role.
Daher de García will officially assume the role the first week of August.
A resident of the town, mother of two, and active town meeting member, Daher de García brings 20 years of professional experience in marketing, public relations, communications, and event planning.
“I am honored to step into this role and continue the incredible work Danielle has done for our town,” Daher de García said. “Swampscott is a close-knit, coastal community with deep traditions and a strong sense of pride. I’m excited to help steer the next chapter, bringing new energy, creative programming, and expanded communication efforts to keep our community moving forward, together.”
Aside from being vice president of Common Ground Public Relations, she previously served as co-president of the Hadley PTO, remains an active member of the Swampscott Elementary School PTO, and is an active boater and member of the Swampscott Yacht Club, where she manages member communications.
“We are happy to welcome Charlotte into this important role. Her professional background, deep community ties, and forward-thinking approach make her uniquely suited to guide our recreation programs into the future while honoring the strong foundation Danielle built,” Interim Town Administrator and Director of the Department of Public Works Gino Cresta said.
Interim Recreation Director and Program Coordinator Jackie Camerlengo, who has been with the Recreation Department since May 2022, applied for the position but was ultimately not chosen by Cresta as Strauss’s replacement.
She spoke with The Item on Tuesday about her experience with the hiring process.
“After I submitted my application and all my information, I got called in for an interview a few weeks later. I was most concerned about the clarity and the hiring process,” Camerlengo said. “I was confused that our director gave two months’ notice, but there was no timeline for when they were hiring anybody, or when that announcement would be made, or clarity behind how the transfer of power in the department would go.”
Camerlengo continued, “I did draw the line at one point, and I let them know that if they hired somebody else for the position, I would be backing out of the department entirely. … They had that information, and my last day will be Aug. 1.”
She explained that “things are tricky now” as Camerlengo is busy doing the work of two people.
“I will be working on the Farmers’ Market, making sure the vendors are set for the next few weeks, just to cover that lapse, the hand-over of our movie nights, and other programs,” Camerlengo said.
As a resident of the town, Camerlengo took a moment to express her personal concerns. “I’m worried, if this is the hiring process that they always go through, or if that’s just how it is for right now. … I’m concerned about being a taxpayer and knowing what I was put through, if this happens with other people.”
Cresta added to his thoughts on the hiring process. “I interviewed four qualified candidates and would have been comfortable hiring all four of them,” he said. “But Charlotte stood out among the rest. I like the idea that she’ll be bringing a fresh energy to the recreation program, and I believe she was the right choice.”
