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From North Branford to Guilford by Way of Darien: Pam Gery Comes Home

From North Branford to Guilford by way of Darien, former North Branford Parks and Recreation and Seniors Director Pamela “Pam” Gery is rounding out her exceptional career as she begins her new role as Guilford’s Parks and Recreation and Senior Center Director.

Pam is known for her ability to build community with recreational programs, special events, and sussing out new opportunities for recreational growth.

Pam was the Director of the North Branford Parks and Recreation and Senior Center for 15 years, holding that role through 2015. During her tenure, she established the town’s annual Potato & Corn Festival (PoCo), dreamed up revenue-generating ideas like its Fitness Center, and guided the once-tiny department through two moves that eventually brought it to its present location at the Stanley T. Williams Community Center. She was only the second person to be hired for the North Branford role, following a director who retired after serving 35 years.

Pam arrived in North Branford with four years of experience heading up Westbrook’s Parks & Recreation Department. While she has made many impressive moves throughout her career, Pam says this move to Guilford is going to be her last. She plans to spend many years doing her best to benefit her hometown.

“It’s really full-circle. My first director position was in the town I grew up in, Westbrook. And now here I am, coming home,” says Pam. “It feels so good to say I know I’m going to retire here, in my hometown. I could not see my story ending any better.”

First and foremost, Pam says she is stepping into some big shoes by succeeding her friend, Rick Maynard. On Jan. 29, Pam officially took the reins from Maynard, who led the way for Guilford for 32 years.

“Guilford has one of the most stellar departments the state for parks and recreation and seniors,” says Pam. “They really shine.”

Pam’s new commute to work in her hometown takes just a few minutes. That’s quite different from the hour or so that she needed to reach her office as Parks and Recreation Director for the Town of Darien.

Pam was on the job in Darien for the past eight-and-a-half years and has enriched its community with events she introduced as its Parks and Recreation Director. They include Darien’s annual Old Fashioned Holiday event at Tilley Pond Park, Rocktoberfest, and Weed Beach Fest. With her team, Pam created nine, new annual pop-up events for Darien residents to enjoy.

“I received an email from a town resident who wrote that she’s been in Darien for 20 years, and she’s never seen the town more vibrant” says Pam. “That’s something that our team can reflect on—that we really brightened the life in Darien by creating new outlets.”

Pam says she’ll definitely be back to visit the new Weed Beach Meadow & Trail Project once it’s complete (anticipated for fall 2024). It was one of the first initiatives Pam introduced when joining the Town of Darien and recently went to the Planning and Zoning Commission for approval.

“I have been at that project since 2017 or 2018. It is going to be a terrific project with an expanded beach and beautiful open space to enjoy,” says Pam.

In her new role for the Town of Guilford, Pam is also thrilled to be aligned, once again, with seniors in her work. Many of the seniors that Pam met while in her role with North Branford are still her friends.

“I’ve really missed that part of my job,” says Pam. “My personality is that I’m able to connect with people and make good friendships and collaborate with the community and the businesses. So, I’m super excited about that.”