Freeport Park District has 11 parks within the city and a nature preserve 3 miles outside of Freeport. The Executive Director is the leader for the Park District—providing the highest quality parks, recreation facilities, and programs for Freeport. Directly supervises six managers and indirectly another 145 employees.

With over 700 acres of land, the Park District offers Freeport’s 24,000 residents a range of amenities and activities beyond what other communities its size can offer. The Superintendent of Parks and Natural Resources is the Department Head responsible for Park operations and natural resource management.• Played a significant role in the Park District’s application for Illinois Distinguished Accredited Agency.• Successfully acquired two tree planting grants, adding 225 new trees to the parks. • Wrote the Park’s Safety Policy Manual and chaired the safety committee.• Regularly used DynaScape design software to plan park projects. • Purchased and implemented ArcGIS software to inventory more than 6,000 trees and establish it as our primary forestry management tool.• Streamlined Park maintenance operations with MaintainX computerized work order software.

Division leader for 18 employees responsible for urban forestry with 11,000 trees & land care for 26 acres of landscaped beds. This division also manages a landscape recycling center that takes in nearly 50,000 cubic yards of landscaping byproducts annually to produce quality composts and mulches for resale. Lead designer and manager for all landscaping projects.• Designed and coordinated landscaping for a major renovation project that transformed downtown Urbana into a pedestrian friendly place to visit—including a 2,000 square foot mini park featuring repurposed materials.

• Taught horticulture courses within the Landscape Horticulture major including: Introduction to Landscape Industry Practices, Landscape Construction, Landscape Estimating and Bidding, Plant Materials (herbaceous and woody), Principles of Landscape Design, and Sustainable Landscape Practices. Coordinated the development and management for the Landscape Horticulture major. Advised students in the Landscape Horticulture program. Conducted research with colleagues on Apple Scab of Ornamental Crabapples. • Modified and created new landscape major—Landscape Horticulture Technologies—with three options of study: landscape construction, landscape design, and landscape management. This replaced Landscape Contracting & Construction, adding eight new classes, and doubling enrollment its first year.• Taught 15 major hours per term and supervised students in building three significant landscape construction projects on campus—giving the teaching gardens a strong public garden appearance. • Received positive teaching feedback on surveys from both students & faculty members. • Wrote four of twelve study guide chapters for the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association’s Certified Nursery Technician exam.

• Supervised 10 employees in forestry and landscape operations. Contract administrator for tree planting, vegetation control, pond management, and additional forestry work.• Developed an access database to manage forestry program operations by tracking service calls and work orders.• Wrote operational procedures for landscaping and forestry, helping the City acquire accreditation from the National Recreation and Parks Association.• Influenced, designed and supervised landscape renovation program for an urban mini-park. Started with 42 hanging baskets and rapidly increased to 240 baskets as of today.

• Supervised 18 employees in tree maintenance, large tree moving, turf program, perimeter land management (700 acres), composting (1,500 cubic yards), soil handling, public horticulture/gardens, and natural resource management. Contract administrator for outsourcing services in landscape maintenance, mowing, tree work, and farming. Co-managed $14 million operating budget and $500,000 capital budget.• Directed production and installation for major Christmas lighting display (0.5M lights), attracting 150,000 visitors.• Improved document control for tree removals—ensuring proper scheduling, accurate plant records, and appropriate tree replacements.• Prioritized snow removal process in an efficient and environmentally friendly manor—improving both staff morale and visitor experience.

• Supervised nine union employees in daily assignments for tree maintenance and removals with an inventory of 25,000 trees.• Improved tree assessment and managed subcontracting process for planting (2,900) & removing (250) diseased trees.• Created system reducing turn-around time by 50% for resident’s work requests.• Wrote grant in a first time, $15,000 tree-planting initiative.• Partnered with Finance Committee and City Council; hired more people and restructured resources accordingly.

• Contract Administrator for outsourcing of tree planting, pruning, and removals. Led the Forest Street Program and provided tree expertise to City engineers, planners, and public works.• Designed, purchased materials, and supervised installation for a $150,000 landscaping project.• Directed biological survey, provided expertise for natural resource management plans, and created Nature Corp volunteer program for Mentor Lagoons—a newly acquired 450-acre park on Lake Erie.