New Easton's Manager Still Getting His Feet Wet

Erik Reis says he's enjoying his first summer "in the best office you could ask for."

"It's fantastic," he noted one recent afternoon while overlooking the waterfront of Easton's Beach.

The beach, one of Newport's biggest summertime attractions, has a new person in charge this year. Reis, 34, replaced longtime veteran Ray Fullerton as general manager of Easton's Beach on June 9. Fullerton retired after 20 years on the job.

On the job for nearly two months now, the Westport, MA, native says he's been "jumping in feet first" to his new responsibilities. Reis started just as Easton's busiest season was heating up. With plenty of sunny days so far this summer, the job has been anything but boring.

"It's really been bonkers the past few weeks," he said.

Hundreds of Newport residents and tourists flock to Easton's every day to enjoy one of Aquidneck Island's finest ocean beaches. Even if the weather isn't perfect, they are drawn to the other attractions, such as the carousel, water slide, bumper boats and skateboard park, and free summer concerts. Concession stands serve refreshments. The Rotunda Ballroom can be rented for private events. Save the Bay operates an exploration center and aquarium at the beach.

Generating revenue from these offerings and making Easton's a self-supporting entity is one of the big tasks ahead for Reis. Two weeks into the job, he was already making some changes to centralize operations, including taking over the booking of the Rotunda Ballroom from city hall.

"This way I know what we're booking, and I know what's going on in that room," he said. "I'm a hands-on manager. I'll be at the gates when the parking lots are full. If we need bathhouses, I'll help clean up. It's nice to go to the different stations where people are congregating and see what's going on."

Reis spent more than 10 years in Denver before taking his job in Newport. There, he was recreation program supervisor for South Suburban Parks and Recreation, a government program. Reis has a bachelor's degree in recreational management from Metropolitan State College of Denver. He's also currently working on a master's degree in public administration from the University of Colorado.

"I'm trying to use the knowledge I have to put programs together like I did in Colorado," he said. "I want to do more family, community-oriented events, to work with our recreation department and see where we can share resources. ... For me, customer service is huge. Getting good crowds and a handful of things happening, that's what I want."

Easton's isn't Reis' first beach gig. Prior to moving to Colorado, he worked three seasons at Horseneck Beach in Westport. He also spent about two weeks there after moving back to the East Coast. Then he got the call that he had the job at Easton's.

In Newport, Reis supervises a $1 million budget and a seasonal staff of 60 that includes lifeguards and other personnel who maintain the facilities, parking lots and bathhouses. He and a maintenance person are the only year-round staff.

During inclement weather, the staff works on special projects.

"We'll be fiscally responsible and send them home if there's nothing to keep them busy," Reis said.

Working to get to know that staff, and operate as a team, has been one of the highlights of the job so far.

"For me, just seeing the staff coming together is really nice," he said. "It's been a seamless transition. The staff has really adapted to me and my style, and they're still giving people good service."

Gradually getting his "sea legs," Reis reports that he is focusing much of his energy on understanding the operations, while also trying to learn all the faces of the frequent beachgoers.

He said his biggest challenge is "trying to figure out the demographics and listen to people to find out what they want in terms of providing the service."

"It's a different culture out here and I'm trying to figure that out," Reis said. "It's an exciting opportunity."

Another challenge likely is dealing with the misnamed "red tide" that has plagued the beach for years. The red stuff is actually red or brown seaweed containing several kinds of algae blooms that have nothing to do with the tide.

For years, beachgoers enjoyed sunbathing, but were turned off by the seaweed, although the water is clear once they venture beyond the shore.

Several years ago, the city of Newport paid $320,000 for a Beach Harvester, a machine that resembles a Zamboni, used to resurface ice rinks.

Reis said the device is effective. Two operators run the harvester each night and on days when it rains.

"Some people notice a difference," he said. "Others don't."

The water can be clear or "really bad," he added, "depending on the currents and wind direction."

Another upgrade on Reis' radar is the multi-million dollar UV facility planned for the 2011 season. The plant was originally planned for 2010, but construction got held up because the city was awaiting a waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency. The facility will treat stormwater in the moat around Easton's, aiming to reduce bacteria levels.

Reis says he hopes to get an update on that project soon. For now, he's taking his new tasks one day at a time.

"Every day is something new, but there's nothing wrong with that," he said. "I want to make the changes that I think are necessary to make Easton's one of the best beaches in New England."