SALEM — The Salem Parks Commission named a new parks director in a special meeting Wednesday.

The commissioners immediately entered an executive session for personnel matters which lasted nearly 30 minutes and upon returning from the executive session Parks Commission Vice President Lori Colian made a motion to offer the position to Kelli Pastore, seconded by commissioner Don Yeasted. Commissioners unanimously approved the hire.

Pastore has been the department’s recreation supervisor since April of 2023, and has been serving as the interim parks director for nearly half a year since the position was left vacant by the departure of former Parks Director Jacob Logan in September.

Yeasted said that filling the vacancy was the commission’s first priority this year, and that its next focus will be the renewal of the department’s 1-mill operational levy in the upcoming May 6 election.

The parks commission will meet next at 5 p.m. Feb. 26.