The Squad | North Andover MA

Rick Gorman - Executive Director

Rick Rick has been Executive Director of Youth & Recreation Services since it began in 1988. He received his Master's Degree in Community Social Psychology from the University of Massachusetts - Lowell in 1993 and received his Bachelor's Degree in Government and Pre-Law from Suffolk University in 1984. Rick has been the recipient of numerous local, state, and national awards in his past 36 years with Youth Services. In 1989 he was named USA Today's Massachusetts Drug Buster of the year. In 1993 he received the prestigious Lord Baden Powell Award for Distinguished Citizenship. In 1997 he received the Rotary Club Community Cares Award. In 2005 Rick was inducted into the ABA (Academic Basketball Awareness Camp) Hall of Fame. Rick's biggest accomplishment was overseeing the planning and building of the state of the art Joseph N. Hermann Youth Center which opened in 2000, as well as designing and overseeing the incredible operation of programming during a global pandemic in 2020.

Rick is responsible for managing the Youth Center, creating, implementing and overseeing programs, conducting long range planning, capital improvement and fundraising, as well as supervising staff members and volunteers. Rick also oversees the Town's Field Commission, Stevens Pond Bathing Beach and Summer Children's and Concert Series. Rick also works closely with the North Andover Youth & Recreation Council and the Joseph N. Hermann Youth Center Inc. Although Rick’s responsibilities lie mostly in administration these days, he does find time to facilitate some programming such as the CORE 4 Leadership program, Summer Staff Training , "Youth Centered" Podcast as well as consulting with other communities on how to establish a Youth Services program. Presently Rick is also working on the anticipated expansion/renovation plans for the Youth Center in 2026.

Rick’s passion lies in kids and youth sports. He has coached numerous teams at various levels and is often consulted by youth sports organizations on issues from philosophy, character development, team building and training. Rick is also founder of the critically acclaimed B.S.T. Training program. In 2021, Rick was awarded the prestigious Leo Miller Memorial Award by the Massachusetts Basketball Coaches Association.

In his spare time Rick enjoys running skill development clinics, culture-building workshops, facilitating the Professional Development platform "Fireside Chat," reading, writing, podcasting, kayaking, hiking, biking, listening to "Bruce", learning from "Pop" and following his beloved Spurs, Celtics, Raiders, and Yankees. Rick is father to Michael (founder of The Movement Family) and Lyndsey (College student), and his favorite saying is "TOO MUCH PASSION IS NEVER ENOUGH PASSION."

Demi Marsh - Assistant Director

Demi Demi has been involved at the Youth Center since her high school years, where she started by volunteering in leadership programs like Youth Council and Diversity Committee. At that time, Demi began working for Youth Services part time in the building and as a Summer Fun counselor. She worked at Summer Fun for five years, starting at the Atkinson site with the 1st and 2nd graders, and going on to become co-coordinator of the Drummond site, working with 3rd, 4th and 5th graders.

Since then, Demi has held many different roles with various age groups in after school programs and field trips, before becoming Assistant Director in September 2016.

Demi graduated from Bentley University in 2010 with a BS in Marketing and a Psychology minor. When she's not working, Demi loves to read, see musicals, and spend time with her family and friends!

Nicole Kramer - Social Programs Coordinator

Nicole Nicole is the Social Programs Coordinator for North Andover Youth and Recreation Services. Nicole has been involved with the Youth Center since her elementary school days, when she attended Summer Fun. She has been involved in many programs growing up and held many roles at the Youth Center, such as, as a part-time staff member, a counselor at Drummond Summer Fun for 6 years and ending as Co-Coordinator of Drummond Summer Fun. Nicole joined the Youth Center team as Social Programs Coordinator in August 2022.

Nicole graduated from the University of New Hampshire in May 2022 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Justice Studies. In her free time, Nicole enjoys listening to true crime podcasts, painting, and spending time with her friends and family!

Bryanna Gilman - Support Services Coordinator

Bryanna Bryanna is the Support Services Coordinator for North Andover Youth and Recreation Services. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Salem State University, where she majored in English and minored in Secondary Education. After graduating, Bryanna taught 9th grade English at a charter school, and then taught 6th and 7th grade English in Concord, Massachusetts. She has spent the last five years as a 6th grade English and social studies teacher in Pelham, New Hampshire. While teaching, Bryanna loved running after school clubs, including LEGO club, the school newspaper, and a book club. In addition to being an educator, Bryanna also worked at the Groveland Summer Recreation Program for seven years. She began as a 7th grade camp counselor and was eventually promoted to on-site recreation director. In 2022, Bryanna earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University.

Bryanna is passionate about creating engaging youth programs and working with the youth. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, going to concerts, watching the Patriots, and cooking. She loves cats, the beach, and puzzles.

Italia Querci - Social Worker

italia Italia is the Social Worker for North Andover Youth & Recreation Services. Italia grew up in North Andover attending Summer Fun and coming to the Youth Center after school. Italia graduated from North Andover High School in 2019 and then went to the University of Tennessee where she graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work.

Italia has a passion for helping younger populations and creating an encouraging environment; she started out by working in school systems along with juvenile court while in Tennessee, followed by being an inclusion specialist for the Haverhill YMCA at their summer camp.

In her free time, Italia enjoys relaxing with friends and family, reading, cooking and being outdoors!

Jen Battersby - Administrative Assistant

Jen works as the administrative assistant at our front desk while also continuing to work with the Zoning Board of Appeals at Town Hall. She has more than 10 years of work experience as an administrative support person, working primarily in law offices, prior to having children. Jen has also enjoyed sharing her organizational skills through various volunteer roles.

A Pennsylvania native, Jen has been part of the North Andover community for 13 years. Her children attend school in Town and have all been involved in Summer Fun and other Youth Center activities throughout the years.

In her spare time, Jen enjoys DIY projects, hiking and camping with her three active boys, and spending time with family and friends.

Nicole Sharp - Saturday Coordinator

Nicole Nicole has been involved with North Andover Youth and Recreation Services since her high school years. Nicole started working as a Summer Fun counselor at Atkinson Summer Fun and part time in the building after school. She was a co-coordinator of the Summer Fun Sargent site for 10 years, and continues to be involved with NAYRS during the school year as a coordinator of the Saturday 5th grade program.

Nicole has her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Elementary Education and a Master’s in Moderate Disabilities from Merrimack College. Since graduating from Merrimack College in 2016, Nicole has become a 4^th grade teacher in Haverhill, MA.