Staff
Keri Palma, Senior Director of Family & Youth Engagement
Keri is the Senior Director of Youth & Family Engagement at Ohio City Incorporated, Near West Recreation's parent organization. Keri has been with Ohio City Incorporated and Near West Recreation since 2015. Since 2015, Keri has worked to create new sport leagues, increase participation, and train more volunteer coaches.
Prior to OCI, Keri worked two years at Cleveland Neighborhood Progress and was a volunteer softball and baseball coach. Keri has a masters degree in City and Regional Planning from Clemson University and a bachelors of Civil Engineering from UNC Charlotte while earning a 4-year softball varsity letter. As of 2022, she is a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional from the National Parks and Recreation Association.
Keri's new role as Sr. Director of Youth & Family Engagement will be to oversee general operations of Near West Recreation, build partnerships, increase Near West Recreation funding while also hosting family friendly events in the Ohio City neighborhood and leading the Ohio City MyCom committee.
You can contact Keri at kpalma@ohiocity.org or 216-781-3222 x108.
Peter Eckendorf, Director of Recreation Programming
Peter is our new Director of Recreation Programming. He started July 2023.
Peter's role as the Director of Recreation Programming will be to run and coordinate the day to day operations of Near West Recreation and it’s various year-around leagues and programs. He will also work to expand the current lacrosse programming.
You can contact Peter at peckendorf@ohiocity.org or 216-781-3222 x101.
Justin Brown, Game Day Coordinator (Part-Time)
Evan O'Donnell is our new Recreation Coordinator. Bio and picture on the way.
Justin's role as the Recreation Coordinator will be to ensure game days at our gyms and parks run smooth for our coaches, players and officials. He will also work with the Director of Recreation to assistant in preparing for each season.