Bloxton

PARKERSBURG — As the newly-hired Executive Director for Wood County Recreation, Jared Bloxton feels like the position is the perfect fit.

“You get to a point where you are ready for a change,” said Bloxton, who took over when Bill Vincent resigned this past spring from the position. “Sometimes life just kind of pushes you, and I was ready for the next thing and here we are. I had interviewed for other positions and visualized being in those positions a little bit. I interviewed for other recreation-type positions and wasn’t as happy with maybe the area or maybe with the job.

“With this one, everything just felt great about it. With the interview, the commission members were very professional but also very welcoming. I’ve been made very welcome with not only Wood County Recreation, but to the Parkersburg community since I started working here.”

The 35-year Broxton is a 2009 graduate of Ravenswood High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sports administration from the University of Charleston in 2013.

While commuting to UC, Bloxton began his career in public service as the city’s recorder for Ravenswood City Council – a position he held for 14 years.

While living in Jackson County, Bloxton was involved with the Ohio River Festival for 15 years, including three years as chairperson. The experience will come in handy since Wood County Recreation organizes the Honey Bee Festival (Aug.22-23) and the Harvest Moon Festival (Sept. 26).

“Working under outgoing director Bill Vincent, I got to learn under him a whole month, and that went great – this last month on my own has been excellent too,” Bloxton said. “Kela West is the assistant director for Wood County Rec and we have worked really well together the first couple of months here. She has been awesome – I’ve relied on her a ton.

“Having the experiences that I do, like festivals, are very challenging. The volunteers in our committee have been a huge help for me already. I just happen to wear different hats and juggle a lot of things at once. You just kind of go with the flow and hope you have the right people and folks in charge for stuff around you.”

While providing radio coverage for Ravenswood football and basketball, the Bloxton brothers – Jared and Heath – gained popularity for their broadcasts throughout the region. In 2024, they were awarded as the state’s best play-by-play.

Heath Bloxton works for the Ravenswood police department, while his mother and father (Tina and Dan Bloxton) help take care of his Yorkies, Stanley and Elsa.

“Heath and I started doing football for the Red Devils in 2018 and did a bunch of seasons for football and basketball up until like 2024, so that has been a big part of our lives,” Bloxton said. “Heath did the play-by-play – he is top notch. I brag on him a lot. He learned it over the years. I was kind along for the ride.

“Heath was obsessed with (West Virginia University broadcaster) Tony Caridi. He would broadcast Mountaineer games with the sound turned down on the TV.”

Bloxton’s outgoing personality coincides with his abundance of energy. As he has witnessed through the first few weeks in June, activities are a constant year-round.

“Summer adventures, which we started this week, is a big activity – it’s a free camp program,” Bloxton said. “We have our summer tennis with 120 kids in the program which runs every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning. Tee-ball is going on right now every Monday and Thursday. We have more than 70 kids with six teams, which is really cool.

“The other night, we had our first adult beginner clinic for pickleball. We have 46 players, so that’s 23 teams. In that group, we have someone in their early 70s and someone as young as 19.”

With construction still ongoing at City Park, each day can be an adventure for Bloxton and finding his way to his office. He doesn’t mind a bit, especially when he steps outside and sees all the activity taking place throughout the park.

“I am getting to see the park full of life,” Bloxton said. “The other night was really cool. You had Tee-ball going on at the baseball field, pickleball was in full swing and the basketball courts were being used. You even had music going on. The pool was open. It was just really cool.”

Blaxton admitted he touches base with Vincent on occasion for a piece of advice or two. For the most part, however, Wood County Recreation is his baby now. He is embracing every day with excitement and energy.

“For some, starting over could be overwhelming, but at the same time it’s good to see the pros of it – the opportunities and the people I’ve met already who I didn’t even know at this time last year,” Bloxton said. “I feel like my life is better for it, honestly. From the former director Bill Vincent, to our staff and Kela, and these people who are here now … they are my friends. Parkersburg is a well-supported community and I’m excited to be here.”