PEOPLE & PLACES IN THE WEB

Sherman Named Great Lakes Outstanding Board Member

William F. "Bud" Sherman was honored as the 1995 Great Lakes Outstanding Board Member because of his many contributions to the field of parks and recreation. He received the region's highest award on July 14 in ceremonies sponsored by the National Recreation and Park Association's Great Lakes Regional Council, which is comprised of eight states including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

Presenters praised Sherman for his exemplary leadership and service to his local community where he has served as commissioner for the Downers Grove Park District for more than 32 years. He is considered a visionary and champion for open land preservation through grants, intergovernmental agreements and progressive long-range planning. Sherman has been a vital force in providing park land and excellent leisure services for the Downers Grove community.

John R. Cook III Honored by the Rockford Park District and the Winnebago County FPD

John R. Cook, in, a lifelong resident of the Rockford area, was given the Seth B. Atwood Memorial Service Award for his unparalleled contributions to the preservation and development—in the area of landscape architecture—of the many facilities at the Rockford Park District.

The Seth B. Atwood Memorial Park and Conservation Service Award is an award that recognizes local citizens and / or organizations for their exceptional contributions in providing facilities, programs, or services in the area of parks, recreation, and conservation. The award is given jointly by the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District and the Rockford Park District.

Museum Earns National Honor

The Lake County Forest Preserves' Lake County Museum has earned accreditation by the American Association of Museums (AAM)—the highest honor a museum can receive.

Of the nation's 8, 500 museums, only 732 have been awarded accreditation status by the AAM. The Lake County Museum, which attracts nearly 30,000 people every year, now joins 21 other accredited facilities in Illinois including the nationally renown Art Institute of Chicago, the Adier Planetarium, and the Chicago Botanic Gardens. To earn accreditation. A museum must undergo a year of self-study, close scrutiny, and an on-site evaluation by a team of senior museum professionals. This process certifies that a museum operates according to standards set forth by the museum profession, manages its collections responsibly and provides quality service to the public.

The Lake County Museum currently houses over 20,000 artifacts, and showcases exhibits, educational programs and special events that preserve and interpret the story of Lake County.

Laura A. Seymour

Laura A. Seymour was appointed the Director of Public Relations for the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) effective August 14, 1995. She is responsible for developing and implementing the association's marketing and public relations programs. Before joining IAPD, Seymour worked as a Public Information Officer at the Illinois Health Care Cost Containment Council in Springfield, Illinois. Prior to that, she spent five years working in Chicago as an Account Executive at Karen May Communications, Ltd. and later as a Public Affairs Specialist at The Children's Memorial Medical Center. She received her undergraduate degree from the Illinois State University, majoring in public relations. She has a master's in Public Administration and a certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Illinois Springfield.

Mike Sitterly, a native of Princeton, Illinois, has been named the new Athletic Facility Supervisor for the Lan-Oak Park District. Sitterly has a degree in Recreation and Park Administration from Illinois State University and completed an intemship for the Champaign Park District. He comes to Lansing from the Park District of LaGrange where he has served as Recreation Supervisor. Sitterly's background is in planning, implementing and supervising youth and adult athletic programs, special events and other recreational activities.

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BillRoeder

The Peoria Park District is pleased to announce Bill Roeder as the new Supervisor of Riverfront Events. Roeder has been with the Peoria Park District since August, 1994, serving as Coordinator of Leisure Services. In his new position, Roeder will be responsible for all aspects of planning, development and implementation of Riverfront programming. Roeder has a strong background in special events planning in the Peoria community. His experience includes a partnership in R & B Productions, General Manager of Jumer's Boatworks Complex and Executive Director of the Peoria Convention and Visitor's Bureau. Also joining the professional staff at the district is Dawn Corley, selected as the new Coordinator of Leisure Services. Corley has been with the Peoria Park District on a part-time basis since October, 1994 as a recreation assistant. In her new position, she will be responsible for special events, the Park School program and the Glen Oak Amphitheatre. Corley holds a bachelor's degree in Recreation and Leisure Services and a master's degree in Organizational Communication from Murray State University in Kentucky.

The Flagg-Rochelle Park District announced the hiring of John Slattengren, CLP, as Director of Parks and Recreation and Michelle Schumacher as the Superintendent of Recreation. Slattengren was recently employed as the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Marion, Indiana. He received a bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University and master's degree in Parks and Recreation/Community Education Administration from Michigan State University.

Slattengren started his career as the Program Specialist for the Walled Lake Community Education Department in Walled Lake, Michigan. He also worked as a Recreation Supervisor for the City of Monroe, Michigan, and Recreation Director in Columbus, Indiana.

Schumacher came to the district from the Valparaiso Department of Parks and Recreation in Indiana where she served four years as youth Recreation Program Director. Schumacher graduated from Anderson University with a degree in Elementary Education in 1991. She played volleyball throughout college as well as coaching and directing an off-season volleyball program for girls ages nine through eighteen for the past three years.

Nijji Vostal has joined the Bolingbrook Park District as Fitness Manager. She previously worked as Exercise Program Director for the Westmont Park District. Vostal will oversee the district's current health club as well as the development and management of the new fitness center currently under construction. She has both bachelor's and master's degrees in physical education.

The Plainfield Township Park District is pleased to announce that William G. McAdam, CLP, has been named as the district's Sports and Special Events Coordinator. Prior to his employment with Plainfield, McAdam held the position of Recreation Supervisor for the Matteson Parks and Recreation Department. He has a bachelor's degree in Commercial Recreation and is currently pursuing a master's in Management at the College of Saint Francis.

Robert Rolek

Robert Rolek, Director of the Round Lake Area Park District since 1980, joined the law firm of Ancel, Glink, Diamond, Cope & Bush on August 1. The firm specializes in government law, labor and employment law, self-insurance pools, loss prevention and other areas. Rolek, an attorney, will provide counsel to park districts, insurance pools and other governmental units. Rolek was an active member of the board of the Park District Risk Management Agency, and a founding member of the Illinois Park Employees Health Network. He served as volunteer counsel to the citizen's group which founded the Lindenhurst Park District, and spearheaded the creation of the Special Recreation Association of Round Lake, Zion and Lindenhurst.

Jim Rock, the district's Assistant Director for the past 18 months, has been named Director. After starting with the district 14 years ago as Athletic Supervisor, Rock was promoted to Superintendent of Recreation. Four years ago, he was named Business Manager. Rock earned his bachelor's degree in Education, with a major in Parks and Recreation Administration from Central Michigan University. He holds an master's degree in Public Administration from Northern Illinois University, and recently passed the C.P.A. exam.

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The Westmont Park District and the Village of Westmont are both pleased to announce that Heather Privett has been added to the staff as Joint Coordinator of Community Relations and Promotions. Her responsibilities will include the marketing and promotions for cultural arts and recreation programs and all park district and village special events. Heather is a recent graduate of Bowling Green State University, Ohio.

The Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association (NEDSRA) welcomes two new staff members to its team this fall. Glen Knoblock has joined NEDSRA as the Manager of Outdoor Services. He comes to NEDSRA with experience from "The Grove" Historical Landmark in Glenview, where he worked in a variety of areas such as naturalist, program leader, camp director and caretaker of animals and grounds. Knoblock is a graduate of Southern Illinois University with an Outdoor Recreation degree and minor in Psychology and Geology.

Amy Schilling joins NEDSRA as Recreation Specialist. Schilling recently graduated from the University of Northern Iowa and completed her internship at Fox Valley Special Recreation Association. She has a wide variety of work experience in the recreation field, both in the United States and abroad.

Barbara A. O'Rahilly retired on August 30 as Executive Director of the Carol Stream Park District, where she has been a dedicated employee for 24 years. She was the driving force behind the district's growth from a few parks and programs to more than 30 parks and hundreds of classes offered each season. She was also instrumental in the construction of a large recreation center and water park.

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