Jeff Hauge has been promoted to Director of Culture, Parks and Recreation. Hauge was promoted to interim director when Alison Giesen took a position with the Lee County Visitors and Convention Bureau.
Hauge has been with the Town for approximately a year and was promoted to his new position after serving as Bay Oaks Recreational Campus Manager.
Town Manager Andy Hyatt said “Jeff has a wealth of experience and skills that will serve the Town and our residents well as we continue to navigate through recovery from Hurricane Ian. We are fortunate that Mound House is operational with programs, kayaking, and museum tours. Bay Oaks took some hits and we are making good progress in restoring facilities and programs and will continue to with Jeff’s capable leadership.”
In the director position, Hauge is responsible for the Town’s 15-acre Bay Oaks Recreational Campus which includes adult, youth and teen programs, tennis and pickleball courts, a fitness center, after school and before school programs, softball and baseball fields, and a community pool. He also oversees the Mound House historic home and native plant garden that sits atop a 2,000 year old Calusa Indian Shell Mound on Estero Bay.
Prior to working at the Town, Jeff was with the Lee County Boys and Girls Club. A large part of his 22-year career has been as a director or manager overseeing different functions in Boys and Girls Clubs in Minnesota. His experience also includes overseeing community programs in a YMCA and a school district, and youth advocacy for a program for battered woman. At St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, Jeff completed coursework focused on education and recreation.
“From coaching youth while in high school to running programs with multiple facilities and programs, my career has always focused on recreation,” Hauge said. “My overall experience with the Town – prior to Ian and since – has motivated me to make a difference for Fort Myers Beach. Making sure facilities and programs are safe, fun and relevant and targeted to all ages is what will bring people back.”