The City of Hilliard welcomed James Gant as its new Deputy Director of Recreation and Parks during his swearing-in ceremony Monday.

Gant comes to Hilliard from Prairie Township, where he had served as Recreation Director since 2014. Prior to that, he had worked with the City of Upper Arlington as Recreation Superintendent and Recreation Supervisor, and with the City of Columbus as a Recreation Instructor.

He graduated in 1999 with a degree in recreation studies from Ohio University, where he also earned his master’s degree in physical education 2000.