PEOPLE & PLACES

Chicago CEO Is World Commissioner

The Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Timothy J. Mitchell was recently elected World Commissioner representing the United States for the International Federation of Park and Recreation Administration (IFPRA).

As a world commissioner, Mitchell will help guide the development of the IFPRA, which is committed to the alliance and shared support of professional park and recreation organizations. He will attend annual world commission meetings to convene with park leaders from across the globe. As a representative of the United States, he will raise awareness among park professionals nationwide to boost the country's IFPRA membership.

The International Federation of Park and Recreation Administration was established in London, England in 1957. The organization's goals include the advancement of parks through representation and the dissemination of information, the adoption of internationally acceptable training and qualification standards and the promotion of conservation efforts. IFPRA is comprised of representatives from more than 50 nations.

Mitchell was appointed as general superintendent & CEO of the Chicago Park District by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 2004. In 2007, his leadership in the "Save the Lake" campaign thwarted BP Amoco's plan to dump toxic refinery waste into Lake Michigan. In addition, he is an active advocate for the reinstatement of federal funding to support urban parks.

"I'm extremely excited to have been elected as a U.S. delegate to the IFPRA," said Mitchell. "It's critical that park leaders create a global network that is focused on the productive use and preservation of our parks, and I look forward to being a part of this very worthwhile agenda."

At a White Sox game in mid-May, officials from the Lemont Park District were presented with a $100,000 donation to help build the district's Miracle Field, designed especially for the needs of people with mental and physical disabilities.

White Sox Donation Helps make Miracle Field in Lemont a Reality

Children with disabilities can now play ball in Lemont, thanks to the construction of Miracle Field, a barrier free ball diamond, which opened in June at the district's Centennial Park.

The project was funded with a $100,000 grant from the Chicago White Sox. The Aurora-based Abbey Paving Co. donated $100,000 worth of excavation and construction work, and many other local businesses, organizations and individuals lent support.

The field has a rubberized surface made from recycled concrete that protects the players from falling and hurting themselves. Pat Sexton, the president of the Lemont Park District Board of Directors, said the opening of Miracle Field was the most rewarding day in the history of the park district. "Baseball in Lemont is truly barrier free," Sexton said at the opening ceremonies.

The Lemont Little League Challenger League and the Tri-County SRA will use Miracle Field for their games and programs. The facility will be available to older adults who are disabled and to the local school district's special recreation programs.

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IAPD Business Manager to Retire

IAPD Business Manager Bill Bodine will leave his post on July 31, after more than 36 years of service to the association.

Bodine began his tenure with IAPD on January 2, 1972. His duties have included managing agency and associate memberships, human resources functions, building maintenance oversight, publication production and all financial functions. He may best be known as the registrar for the past 35 IAPD/IPRA annual conferences.

During Bodine's tenure, agency membership increased from 186 agencies and associates to more than 390. He helped the association relocate its headquarters four times, served 36 association presidents and three executives: Eugene Berghoff, Robert M. Artz and Dr. Ted Flickinger.

When he was asked recently to discuss his years at the association, Bodine said, "Just say, 'It's been a heck of a ride.'"

Nominations Sought for IAPD Awards Gala The "Best of the Best" Awards Gala - billed as the red carpet event for Illinois parks, recreation and conservation - will take place at Wheeling Park District's Chevy Chase Country Club the evening of Friday, September 12. The gala is an opportunity to give board members, citizen volunteers, businesses, legislators and media the recognition they deserve for doing so much to advance parks, recreation and conservation and to honor them at this black tie optional event. The IAPD is currently accepting nominations for: Board Member Service Anniversary Awards Agency Anniversary Awards Illinois Parks' Top Journalist Award (print, radio and television categories) Best Friend of Illinois Parks - Business Category Best Friend of Illinois Parks - Governmental Category Intergovernmental Cooperation Award Partnership Award Good Sportsmanship Award Outstanding Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award. You can download the nomination booklet or make an online nomination on the IAPD Web site at www.ILparks.org. The deadline for nominations is noon on Friday, August 1st. All supporting materials for nominations (narratives of contributions, newspaper clippings, etc.) must be submitted by e-mail to IAPD Public Relations Manager Bobbie Jo Hill at bjhill@lLparks.org. The "Best of the Best" Awards Gala will double as the IAPD's 80th anniversary celebration and will feature cocktails and a silent auction prior to the program and dancing afterward.

Naperville Hires New Superintendent of Recreation

Fred Gusel recently joined the Naperville Park District as superintendent of recreation. He has been in the field of parks and recreation nearly 15 years. Most recently, he was the aquatic manager for the Bolingbrook Park District. He has also worked for Triton College as the aquatic and children's programming supervisor; for the Lisle Park District as the aquatic, fitness and special events supervisor; and for the Prospect Heights Park District as the Community Center manager.

At Naperville, Gusel oversees the operations of the Recreation Department that includes seven full-time program managers and has an $8.3 million operational budget.

Gusel graduated from Northeastern Illinois University. He has been an IPRA Facility Management Section member since 2001, a section board member since 2006 and served as section director in 2007. He is currently on the IPRA Professional Services Committee.

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Bensenville Hires New Water Park Manager and Promotes Longtime Employee Rory Joyce recently joined the Bensenville Park District as the water park and leisure center supervisor. His major responsibilities include overseeing water park operations, including hiring and training lifeguards and pool managers and overseeing the Deer Grove Leisure Center facility. He graduated from the University of Illinois-Chicago with a degree in psychology. He has worked at the Skokie Park District and most recently at the Park District of Franklin Park as assistant manager of the Skatium Ice Rink. He is an Ellis & Associates lifeguard instructor and a Certified Pool Operator. Tania Rodriguez has received the title of early childhood and special events coordinator after 12 years at various positions within Bensenville Park District. Her main responsibilities are overseeing the Tiny Tot preschool and Tiny Tot summer camps. Special event projects include a 5K race, Christmas and Easter events, movies in the park and Heritage Day at a historic farm.

Des Plaines Names New Rec Supervisor

The Des Plaines Park District recently hired Karyn Roth as its new recreation supervisor. Roth was an intern at the Arlington Heights Park District and worked as a recreation supervisor at the Itasca Park District for more than two years. Her primary responsibilities at the Des Plaines Park District include overseeing the Teen Center Des Plaines, the Creative Corners Preschool Program, early childhood programs, the new birthday party program and special events. Roth is a graduate of Winona State University.

Collinsville Hires Marketing and Communication Coordinator

The Collinsville Area Recreation District (CARD) hired Elizabeth Lehnerer as its new marketing and communication coordinator in June. Her duties include using all media methods to inform the district's service area about CARD'S programs, events and attractions; updating the district's Web site; and creating program guides twice a year.

Before joining CARD, Lehnerer was the city editor of the Collinsville Herald Journal, a twice weekly newspaper with a strict focus on hometown news.

Lehnerer graduated from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in mass communications. At the Edwardsville campus, she worked as the features editor of the university's newspaper, The Alestle.

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Gurnee Picks New Marketing and Public Relations Manager

Gurnee Park District recently hired Jennifer Gilbert as the marketing/public relations manager. This newly created position is part of a strategic initiative to help increase community awareness and participation in district programs.

Gilbert is a graduate of Northern Illinois University, with a B.S. in business marketing and a minor in business communications. Prior to joining the district, she worked at a credit union.

Hoffman Estates Hires Communications Manager Liz Binder has recently joined the Hoffman Estates Park District as the communications and marketing manager. Binder brings four years of private-sector advertising and marketing experience to her new position. Her responsibilities at the district include development of seasonal program guides, promotion of all programs and events and marketing the district's facilities, which include Prairie Stone Sports & Wellness, Seascape Aquatic Center, the Community Center and Ice Arena and Poplar Creek Country Club. Binder received her bachelor's degree in journalism with an advertising emphasis and a minor in marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Cultural Arts Programs Coordinator Comes to WDSRA

Jessica Griffin has joined the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA) as the cultural arts/social programs coordinator. Griffin plans and implements a variety of music, dance and theater programs and coordinates social clubs for both teens and adults.

A recent graduate of Illinois State University, Griffin has a B.A. in music therapy and is a board certified music therapist. She plays 13 different instruments and has theatre and vocal experience

Prior to coming to WDSRA, Griffin had internship and practicum experiences with seniors; with children and adults with multiple disabilities; and with youth with behavioral disorders. She has also been an avid volunteer for a number of community organizations.

Elk Grove Brings On Dance Coordinator

Alyssa Ditch was hired as Elk Grove Park District's new dance coordinator in May. Ditch is responsible for the Pavilion Dance Centre, which has a classical dance program with more than 1,000 participants, and specialty dance classes.

Ditch is a graduate of the University of Akron, with a B.A. in English and a minor in dance. She is a certified dance instructor, who has trained at the Cleveland School of Ballet, the Nashville School of Ballet and the Giordano Dance Center.

Her professional credits include associate director of Inaside Chicago Dance, director of operations for the Evanston Round Table and program coordinator for the Des Plaines School of Dance.

She is also a Certified Personal Trainer through the American Council on Exercise and the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

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Northbrook Hires New Staff Members

This spring saw a number of new employees coming to the Northbrook Park District and a promotion of a current employee.

Eileen Loftus

Eileen Loftus is the district's new manager of athletics and aquatics. She brings to Northbrook more than 15 years of recreation programming and facility management experience, including more than 10 years in aquatic programming. She spent the past 11 years as recreation and fitness center supervisor for the Downers Grove Park District. She has a bachelor's degree in recreation administration from Eastern Illinois University and a master's degree in recreation administration from Aurora University. She is a CPRP as well as a CTRS and worked for six years as a recreation specialist for the South East Association for Special Parks and Recreation.

Michael Brouillard

As the new landscape operations manager, Michael Brouillard is in charge of landscape maintenance, athletic field preparation and garbage collection and the supervision of a full-time staff of five plus seasonal workers. He also orders flowers for the parks. Brouillard received a bachelor's degree in business and horticulture from Illinois State University and a master's degree in plant science from the University of Illinois. He is a certified arborist and a certified landscape technician. Brouillard previously worked at the Chicago Botanic Garden and the University Chicago.

Todd Peck is park operations manager, in charge of readying and operating district facilities, such as pools and athletic fields. Peck has worked for landscape firms and spent 13 years working for park districts in Glencoe and Urbana. A graduate of Southern Illinois University, he received a bachelor's and master's degree in plant and soil science.

Todd Peck

Judy Catrambone

Judy Catrambone is the new Village Green office supervisor, in Charge of processing tennis and pool passes and issuing registration codes for the autumn recreation guide. She has a bachelor's degree in health, physical education and recreation (HPER) from the University of Illinois - Circle Campus.

Crystal Corral

After working in administrative support at the Leisure Center for 31/2 years, Crystal Corral was promoted to office supervisor. She is responsible for managing facility attendants and registration at that location, as well as scheduling children's parties and room rentals in the building. Before coming to the Northbrook Park District, Crystal spent seven years working for the Arlington Heights Park District.

Amanda Pierce is the leisure services supervisor. She graduated this spring from the University of Illinois with a degree in recreation, sport and tourism. Pierce spent her last semester interning at the Elk Grove Village Park District and has worked as a camp counselor for public and private camps. She co-supervises camps and special events and manages several programs.

Amanda Pierce

James Faedtke

James Faedtke is the new building maintenance supervisor at the Northbrook Sports Center. During the past few years, he has held several positions, often overlapping, including building supervisor for the ice rinks and concessions manager for the pools at the Wilmette Park District, night shift custodian at North Shore Country Day School and facility supervisor at Harrington College of Design in Chicago.

Don Parker

Don Parker left his job as a high school English teacher in the western suburbs to teach at Sportsman's Country Club. He's one of two new apprentice professionals at the course. He has a degree from the University of Illinois.

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Katrina Escobedo

Katrina Escobedo is the other new apprentice professional at Sportsman's Country Club and is believed to be the first female to have that job. Escobedo took her first golf job at Cantigny Youth Links in Wheaton, Illinois, then went on to play for Western Kentucky University, played mini golf circuits in Hawaii and most recently worked at Stonebridge Country Club in Aurora. She also served as a volunteer assistant coach for the Transylvania University women's golf team in Kentucky.

Jonathan Phan

Jonathan Phan is the district's new accounting analyst, responsible for capital projects, bid notices, waiver information and the coordination of legal notices. He graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a bachelor's degree in accounting.

Audrey Rosenberg

Retired Chicago school teacher Audrey Rosenberg is a part-time registration clerk at the Northbrook Sports Center. After working at the same school for 36 years, she missed the children, so she's glad to be surrounded by kids again.

Emily Salzman	Brandi Nice	Kevin Morey	Jennifer Wawrzynek
Downers Grove Welcomes New Employees Emily Salzman is the new recreation supervisor for youth sports at the Downers Grove Park District. Salzman has a B.S. degree in recreation from the University of Northern Colorado. She comes to the district with four years of experience in the parks and recreation field, having worked in Windsor, Colorado and Kissimmee, Florida. Brandi Nice is the new public information supervisor for the district. Nice has a B.A. in Spanish and international trade from Eastern Michigan University and an M.S. in tourism, recreation and sports management from the University of Florida. She has ten years of professional experience in marketing, public relations and special events. Kevin Morey joins the park district as the new golf course manager. Morey has a bachelor's degree in business management from St. Bonaventure College. He has nine years of professional experience in facility management and marketing and was previously a manager of the Family First Sports Park in Erie, Pennsylvania. Jennifer Wawrzynek is the new recreation secretary at the Lincoln Center. Wawrzynek has more than ten years experience in the parks and recreation field in various capacities and most recently dedicated five years to Sportsmed Wheaton Orthopedics.

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Oakbrook Terrace Promotions and Hirings

Tim Reinbold recently joined the Oakbrook Terrace Park District as superintendent of recreation.

Reinbold brings nine years of experience in the field of recreation to his position. In 1999, he became the first youth sports director for the Elmhurst Family YMCA. Among his accomplishments, Reinbold increased participation in youth programming to a new high and managed the successful outcomes of many fundraisers. Just prior to his move to Oakbrook Terrace, Reinbold was with the Lisle Park District, where he served as athletics supervisor and later was promoted to supervisor of the Meadows Center.

He holds a degree in family and consumer sciences with a minor in psychology from Eastern Illinois University.

Tim Child

Tim Child is the district's new recreation supervisor. A recent graduate of Western Illinois University, Child holds a degree in recreation, parks and tourism administration. In his new position he is responsible for contractual programs, athletics and special events. Child most recently worked for the Lisle Park District, where he completed his internship in 2007. He focused much of his time on youth soccer, activities for summer camps and the summer Softball league. Prior to his internship, Child worked with the Forest Preserve District of Will County.

Jeannice Gagnon

Jeannice Gagnon accepted the newly created position of marketing designer. In this position she is responsible for coordinating all graphic design projects and printed materials, and she produces the agency's three program guides in house. A graduate of the Art Institute of Chicago, Gagnon was previously employed at the Fox Valley Park District as a graphic designer.

Liane Knight

Liane Knight was recently promoted to superintendent of Lake View Nature Center. A graduate of Aurora University, Knight worked as a program coordinator and environmental educator at the nature center since 1995. In the superintendent's role, Knight is responsible for overseeing the facility's operations, programs and exhibits.

Larry White

Larry White was recently promoted to superintendent of parks. White worked as a parks groundsman at the district since 2003. In his new role, White oversees the parks and facility maintenance needs.

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