Welcome to the official website of the Town of Belleair, FL

John Yevich
Recreation Director
E-Mail
Biography

Eric Wahlbeck
Assistant Recreation Director CPRP
E-mail
Biography

Rachel Schneider
Recreation Programmer
E-mail
Biography

Sara Borger
Recreation Services Clerk
Biography

Peter Kavanaugh
Recreation Leader I
Biography

Derek Beers
Recreation Leader I

Danielle Felten
Recreation Leader I

  Straight out of college in upstate New York, John Yevich made his way to Florida in 1973. Working for the YMCA and in the health club industry, John landed a part time job at the Belleair Recreation Department in 1976. After two years of hard work, John was offered a full time position as the Recreation Director. As the saying goes, ”The rest is history!” When John took over the Belleair Recreation Department a little over thirty years ago, he was the department’s only full time employee.

  The “Rec” consisted of a small game room, some shuffleboard courts, tennis courts, a little league baseball field, an outdoor basketball court and a playground made up mostly of equipment donated from the back yards of local residents.  Most adult and youth programs were held outside or in the Town Hall auditorium. Over the past 30 years, John has worked very hard evolving the Recreation Department into what it is today. He now manages a department with five full time and three part time employees, many volunteers, seasonal employees, sports league referees and contract program instructors.

  The Belleair Recreation Department has certainly come a long way. Almost daily people come into the Dimmitt Community Center surprised and happy, not only to see that John is still here, but that he looks the same after 30 years! You can still find John playing in the adult basketball group and he still enjoys getting out of the office to help maintain the complex. 

  Eric Wahlbeck earned his Associate of Arts Degree from St. Pete College, moving on to Florida State University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Social Science Degree in August 2004. He is currently working on both his Masters Degree in Public Administration at University of South Florida as well as National Parks and Recreation Association  Directors School. Eric has over 10 years experience in the Parks and Recreation Field.

  As a youngster, Eric grew up at the Belleair Rec. Center. From camper to CIT, he then moved up from Recreation Leader Grade 1 to Recreation Leader Grade 2. Eric was an all state quarterback at Largo High School, playing college football until injuries took their toll. Focusing on his studies and coaching, Eric worked as a Student Assistant Football Coach at FSU, under the famed Bobby Bowden.

  Upon graduating from FSU, Eric was hired by the City of Clearwater, where he started out as Recreation Programmer at the Long Center. Eric quickly moved up the ranks, as a Parks and Recreation Events Specialist, Recreation Supervisor at Countryside Rec. Center, to his current position as Assistant Recreation Director with the Belleair Recreation Department. Eric’s experience, dedication, leadership and knowledge have been an asset to the department and to the recent success and growth of the Belleair Recreation Department.

  Rachel Schneider earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Recreation and Leisure Services Administration from Florida State University. Excelling at FSU, she was a member of Rho Phi Lambda and Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Fraternities. Hired directly out of college in May of 2006, Rachel is our Recreation Programmer.

  In addition to Programming, she is called upon to wear many hats at the Recreation Department; Summer Camp Counselor, Haunted House Designer, Polar Parcel Service Gift Delivery Coordinator, spearheading the Dodgeball League, referee, graphic artist, writer, editor…just to name a few!  Rachel’s enthusiasm, knowledge, and desire to make a difference, has been a welcome addition to the Department!

  Steve Willis attended college at the University of Nebraska, where he played basketball for the Cornhuskers. Hailing from Indianapolis, Indiana, he is a Hoosier at heart with basketball in his blood. In 1994, Steve was a part of the 3 on 3 “Hoop It Up” World Championship Team.

  For the past 15 years Steve has been a basketball instructor in the Tampa Bay area, including a 5 year stint at Plant High School as assistant basketball coach and 2 years as head coach  at Clearwater Central Catholic High School. At CCC, Steve crossed paths with Belleair Mayor, Gary Katica. Realizing what an asset Steve was, Mayor Katica pointed Steve in the direction of our Rec. Department. As the saying goes, the rest is history!

  Steve has been employed by the town of Belleair since May of 2006.  In addition to a Recreation Leader Grade 2, Steve is the Basketball Director at the Recreation Department.

  Sara Borger was born and raised a Hawkeye fan in the Mississippi Valley town of Davenport, Iowa. After graduating from Assumption High School,  where she lettered in basketball, swimming and track, Sara attended the University of Iowa from 1980-1984.

  Majoring in Elementary Education, sports, recreation, and children were her passion. In 1994, Sara moved to Belleair where it didn’t take her long to discover the Belleair Recreation Department. Taking full advantage of all the amenities available to her children at the Rec., she got involved, serving on both the Recreation Board and the Soccer Board at Belleair.  After enjoying an 18  year career as a stay at home mom, Sara joined the Belleair Rec. Department staff in January of 2009.

  Kyle Harter has been part of the Belleair Rec. for many years.  Starting out as a camper at the age of 6, he blossomed into one of the most decorated athletes in the Belleair Rec. history. In addition to being the first ever MVP for Belleair’s Flag Football League, Kyle won numerous awards for soccer, basketball, and baseball. In the fall of 2008, Kyle officially joined the Rec. staff. Graduating from Largo High in 2008, Kyle is currently enrolled at St. Petersburg College studying Recreation and Leisure Services Administration. In his free time, Kyle bleeds baby blue and yellow for his beloved Denver Nuggets.

  Our newest staff member, Peter Kavanagh, basically grew up at the Belleair Rec! He started coming to our “Fun Friday” camp at 3 years old, spent many a summer as a camper through the age of twelve, then worked as a counselor in training for three years. The summer of 2009, we were lucky enough to acquire Peter as a Rec. Leader 1. Currently a sophomore at Clearwater High, Peter’s work ethic, love of sports and enthusiasm make him a welcome addition to the Belleair Rec.!