New London ― The city has hired a new director of recreation.

Josh Posey, a city resident with more than 10 years of experience in YMCA leadership roles and municipal recreation departments, was chosen from a field of 19 applicants. He was one of three finalists interviewed by a hiring panel and Mayor Michael Passero.

Posey takes the place of long-time director Tommie Major who retired four months ago after 34 years.

“We are excited to have Josh on board and we are confident he will continue to provide the professional and compassionate service that Tommie provided to our City’s youth and families for more than three decades,” Passero said in a news release Tuesday.

The mayor said Posey’s “solid background in the field and his familiarity with the region will be a great benefit to the city as we prepare to open our community center in 2025.”

Until recently, Posey was the business development and operations manager for the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut’s Innovation Center in the city.

Posey served in a number of capacities for the Ocean Community YMCA in Westerly and Mystic from 2014 to 2022 and was the director of youth sports and family at the Bridgeport YMCA from 2012 to 2013. He worked in the Montville Recreation Department from 2010 to 2013.