Chris Smalley
Regional Manager of Operations, East District

Hometown
Stormville, New York but now Maumee, Ohio

First Job
Yard Work for Cash when I was too young to drive.

Achievement you are most proud of, career or other
My wife and kids. They understand and support what I do here at the parks. I’m blessed to have them in my life.

Dream Trip
A long-overdue honeymoon with my wife. We’re celebrating our 20^th anniversary this August and she still owes me a honeymoon.

Notable pet
Our high-strung but lovable dog, Pepper. It wasn’t my idea to get her, but I can’t imagine life without her.

What is something few know about you?
I went to graduate school in Toledo and really expected to move further west afterward, but I ended up sticking around and raising a family. The Toledo area is really a great place to raise a family.

What brought you to Metroparks?
Blame Tim Gallaher!  I worked for Tim many years ago at Wood County Park District and really enjoyed it. I ran into him at Menards and he told me I should apply for a supervisor position that was open at Metroparks.

Your favorite park visited?
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park in Hilo, Hawaii.  I was there during an active flow in the ‘90’s and it was just an incredible experience.